Mervyn Mitton

This is great to see another one - of what, is obviously a generic pattern. Your example is even more heavily decorated, I wonder if their is a difference in 'rank' with the gold on one and silver on the other ? I see what you mean about the points either, having a turned-up end or, a straight one. The armour piercing capabalities of this weapon can be easily seen with the solid construction - particularly, when most tribal armour was chain mail. Didn't Pitt-Rivers have something to do with Dorchester and the excavations at Maiden Castle ? I acquired at auction - some years ago - three carrier bags of stone age flint implements and I am sure it mentioned his name. I suppose the Dorchester Museum sold them off - they must have thousands from all the excavations ?

Leigh - I have been going 'blind' trying to look at the buttons and badge through a glass. The badge looks like it has three uprights - am having a badge ref. book brought back from shop tomorrow. I thought the double strap Sam Browne was standard at the start of WW1 - it was in the Boer War ? I could see the crossed rifles above the chevrons and above those is an Edward 7th. crown. On his shoulders are the crossed flags for his rank - with a Tiger badge underneath. Will come back if I can track down his Regt. badge. The photo is an original - in the broken cardboard mount - it just enlarge too well. Mervyn ( It's stupid that both Regt.s sound correct in my mind)

Tony. Thankyou for taking interest in the post. I found ref. to the Zwiccu in a history of Arthur. I also made enquiries and found that this tribe was in one of the invasions from Scandinavia in the 7th.C.. Where they settled in Shropshire was at the confluence - or, joining of two rivers - which is the meaning of my surname - Mitton. My savage ancestors must have been the chiefs , because there is still the village of Mitton, the Manor of Mitton and the Mitton and Mermaid pub. Although they are related I have never met the present owners - cadet , or, junior members of families break away and set-up on their own all the time. The Angles pre-dated the Saxons by some years , although they are closely related. Your origins are probably Angle - so, Hi cuz.!! The Angles gave their name to England. After the Anglo-Saxon invasion had built-up strength they advanced downwards and in the process drove out the Celtish people who had lived in England until that time. They moved into Wales - Cornwall and crossed the Channel into Brittany. Which is why their language can still - basically, be understood by the three areas - and probably, why, they're not too keen on English visitors !! I think it would be great if you had time to do a little research - the problem will be that I have lived so many years overseas that I am not in touch with much of the family history - and I am one of the last of my side of the family. Whilst old families are fascinating for their history - my Father always told me ' It is what you do in your life - not others'. I hope we can stay in touch. Mervyn

Dear Helen Your site for the museum is interesting - not too many Zulu items - which is surprising as they are the pre-eminent fighting tribe in Africa. I was interested in the Police truncheon - the Bread Riots were very widespread. I am not sure that the assegais shown are Zulu - would it be possible to see a close-up of the head ? I see you have blow pipes - that is one type where the locals have learned to make a long hole through a length of wood. They do it by sitting on a tree branch with the wood between their legs - they have a number of metal rods of the diameter required and then heat them red hot in a fire. Helpers keep passing up fresh rods and gradually they burn through the wood to make a suitable pipe. Because they come under the definition of a firearm, having a 'barrel capable of firing a projectile' they can be classed as a firearm under the Act. My cousin was the official doctor to the Royal Geographic expedition to Borneo and brought me one back. They made her sit on the tarmac and scrape the poison off the darts before she could board the RAF plane that carried them !! I do hope you will stay a member - you have lots of interestings things to share !! Mervyn

Dear Tony The one you found in SWB would have been a relative of some sort - our surname - with various spellings , is all one family. We are Angles, descended from a tribe called the Zwiccu who settled in Shropshire in the 7th. Century! When I wrote the notes above I was having trouble remembering his birth names - Henry, was how my G/mother always referred to him, but I never knew him. Should someone have access to either the Leicester of Northampton rolls for that period he will obviously be on them. I have just checked and I put Derbyshire in my notes, I'm now a little confused myself, as to which he was in - sorry, put it down to age. Thankyou for taking the trouble to look. Mervyn

Same questions - just no solder. I did ask a jeweller if it could be removed - he said it was silver solder and to remove would damage the silver in the coin.

Where better to bring a coin enquiry , then to a sub-forum such as this ! I bought this and the following 6d. pieces a while ago.Dated 1892 the 5/- piece is for the ZAR - Zuid Afrikaans Republic - the other side in the Boer War. There is a blob of silver solder on the base,on each side - must have been mounted. It is about the size of a British 5/- I will be most grateful for any info, possible value and does the silver blob affect price very much?

My Grandparents - Henry and Harriet Mitton. My Grandmother was born in India in 1873 - she was the youngest daughter of a regular in the Indian Army. I have an old photo which shows her as a baby in the arms of the ayah (nurse) and my Great-Grandfather in uniform and wearing a shako. I think he was also the RSM of his Regt. but, to be honest I've never really gone into the background. My G/father was commissioned as Captain and quartermaster at the outbreak of WW1 in 1914 and was transferred to the Derbyshire Regt.. I remember my G/mother saying he was shot in the spine and paralysed - he died in 1933, she died in 1949. She lived comfortably on her army pension. In the photo, my Father is in the front - he was born in 1910 - so, this photo must have been taken in about 1915. His brother ,on the left, became the leading stockbroker in London and was in partnership with R.A.B.Butler's(Chancellor) brother. The brother behind,was in Singapore at it's surrender and with his wife and daughter (now a retired doctor in Capetown) were on the last boat to leave for Australia. He was lost to the family from 1937 to 1956, when we discovered them living in S.A.. There was an elder brother - he was an officer in the army. Amazing the memories a small beaker can bring ! Hope you find it interesting - any help will be appreciated. Mervyn (if you look at my photo on profile you will see the family likeness to my G'father - but no moustache)

My Grandfather Henry Mitton, when he was the colour sgt. of the Leicestershire Regt. - you will see he has the sash over his right shoulder and he carries a sword. This rank and the RSM were issued with them. I understand that he went on to be the R.S.M. - however, he died in 1933 and I never knew him. Have never found his medal entitlement - but, it must have been impressive. I know he was in India - in the Tirah campaign - and I think that is the Sudan medal he is wearing - not too clear. He served in the Boer War and of course, the 1st.WW. I think the Crown is Edward 7th. - but, he could still have been in Sth.Africa.

The larger beaker folded down into the body of the leather box - the smaller went into the raised part of the lid, you take the top off this part. Because of the engineering, when you pull them up, they are perfectly watertight.

I recently re-found this small set of 'portable' silver plated containers - one for water, the other a 'shot' for alcohol. They belonged to my Grandfather who used them in the Boer War - or, possibly India. Most officers and NCO's carried items like this in the early days - when you were in the bush how else did you drink ? I will post a few more views and thenone of my Grandfather

I think we will find that it is the actual bark of the tree it was cut from. Still intended to have the same purpose - stopping it being pulled from you. The top is obviously wood , now that it is closer. When you have time it will be great to see more items in the collection. Mervyn

This is a 19th century Indo/Persian belt dagger - known as a KARD - however, I expect it has other names . The areas of main use were Northern India,Pakistan, Persia and prob. into Afghanistan. This example is unusual in that the original scabbard is present - leather, with an interesting top piece which has been pierced to show the red cloth underneath. The gold at the end of the sheath is pure beaten gold and when new it must have gleamed. Obviously for a person of some importance, the brass fittings on the hilt and guard would have been gilded - now, mostly worn off. Overall it is 18.5 inches (45cm) and the blade - which is finely engraved is 11 in. (28cm) Would be nice to see some examples from other members.

I hadn't thought of that - any money your'e probably right. I'll try to find out if there is a trade directory for Grahamstown. Meanwhile, I will be grateful if anyone can help with model - also, does anyone know a current value ?

This picture is taken from the 1900 volume - 'With the Flag to Pretoria' - it shows the famous Gordon Highlanders wearing a kilt cover. I have never seen this before - does anyone know when the custom started - and, apart from stopping the kilt to be an aiming mark (ouch !!) , was there any other reason for this?

One for our Canadian friends...

Taken from the 1900 - 'With the Flag to Pretoria' - this interesting picture shows the Orange Free State Artillery at the start of the Boer War (1899-1902). They styled themselves on the German uniform of the time and when - rarely - these picklehaubes come-up at auction, they can fetch ?2000 ($3500)

Stuart - your helmets are magnificent - I am going to print off the 7th. O/R's for reference. I wonder if members realise the current value of rare helmets like these. I would put these three at between ?5 - 6000. ($ 10/11000). On the photograph - what is the round emblem on his left sleeve - doesn't look like a machine gun ? The cavalry .303 bandolier is also a good example - they wore this pattern in the Boer War. How many helmets do you have in your collection - were they all sourced in Aust.? With the 5th. Helmet , it is interesting that the 'sunburst' around the badge is only in outline - how are other Dragoon helmets shown? Our Edward 7th. is the cypher of the King. One question - I notice that your plumes are replacement nylon - our two in the shop window have faded, do you have an address for replacements ? Mervyn

We have many hardwoods in Sthn. Africa - one of the most popular for knobkerries is Ironwood, as it is so hard and doesn't break. A knobkerry is one of the most dangerous and common weapons here and Zulus learn stick fighting from as young as 5 ! Which Museum are you ? I used to have quite a lot to do, years ago, with the Ashmolean - they helped me with research on truncheons and tipstaffs. Museums do some funny things at times - Chris' point about showing sheathed swords, is a valid one - but from the staff point of view it keeps them clean !!

Hi,Chris - You beat me to the last picture !! I keep saying to everyone ,how great the store of knowledge is on this forum. The museum knew nothing and really weren't interested in looking. Yet you have found the probable origins of this man, and all from the 'darkest' depths of Canada I don't know what a Tranter would have cost in those days, but a lot ,so,he must have been a man of some means. The best one we ever had brought in was recovered - many years ago - from a skirmish site from the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 - it had obviously been dropped at the time and lay under a rock for over 120 years - and was still in fair condition. The weight always surprises me - must be at least 4 lbs. (2 K's)