Mervyn Mitton

One of my favourite shows Jerry.........

Colin - superb workmanship - you are a true artist. Mervyn

I was amazed to see that we have reached over 8,000 posts on this subject. I have now 'pinned' it and hopefully, members will add even more of their collections. For myself, I must say that from the very first post that I found this to be of interest - collectables for the future. Mervyn

I agree with the 15th (could we have a first name - much friendlier ) - certainly looks genuine and has the twin bands on the peak. The brocade around the cap also looks right. I would suspect - without Provenance for person or command - around 200 pounds , but probably more if at auction. Mervyn

I must be honest and say that I've never even heard of this Group. They must be like an advisory body now. Steve - not sure if we welcomed you to GMIC - keep the questions coming. Mervyn

Jock - old military tins are quite a big collecting field. I have always found that it is the early Brit. ones that fetch quite high prices - however, the possible collecting numbers must be enormous if you start on the Foreign ones. I have found the reason you didn't like the taste - these are sterilizing tablets........................... Mervyn

Hi - the 94th were the 2nd. Battalion of the Connaught Rangers. I have grave reservations about the shako, just doesn't have the quality. However, if the badge is genuine, that is probably worth at least 120 pounds - or, more. Best wishes Mervyn

He was probably a German spy, who infiltrated the South Staffs - how else would he have BOTH halves of a bus ticket from Paris.....................

Dat - I hope that I have that right as your first name ? I received the IM and thankyou for taking the trouble. After your query on the 'X' , I went a little more deeply into the stamp and it did appear that most researchers thought it was for re-issue. This was particularly so with the 1907. We have learnt - over the years - to never be close minded , we learn new things with every post. I am very happy to accept that this is for a 'bend test' - however, it would then appear on every bayonet - and not just on selected ones............. Hopefully , other members will give us their opinions ? Meanwhile , thankyou for being so polite and calling me MR. - however, I like to think that was my Father - who would now be 104 ! I think I speak for the Membership, when I say we would be very interested to hear about your experiences in Afghanistan. Mervyn

Cabart - interesting - but then the British have been fighting in Afghanistan since the 1840's. The difficulty with buying them is the transport - at present they are worth about 50 pounds each and upwards if special or, in very good condition. The X mark on the Ricasso is held to be for re-issue. This would mean sold out of service for re-issue to another country. This would tie in with the marks on Jock's bayonet - which I now think was for Egypt. Best wishes Mervyn

Morning Badger. Apart from the obvious possibilities - Carmarthen, Carnarvon, Cambridgeshire etc., I would suggest you look at Australia. The stars could make it a possibility. Ask our Aust. coll. in the pinned section, what he thinks ? Mervyn

hucks216 - thankyou for letting us know. Not the first time that family members have discovered a medal was to be sold and have had the sale stopped. Mervyn

I noticed that Paul has posted regarding a PC Gent, who joined in 1892 with the Warrant Number 77942. I joined in 1967 with the number 158277. Remembering that all numbers started with the first men to 'march out' in 1829, it would be interesting to see the present numbers being issued ? During the early middle ages a gentleman was given a Commission by the King to take part in a given campaign or, battle. Similarly, the fighting soldiers on a ship were under a man with a Commission from the King. The people who actually sailed the ship held a Warrant from the King to do this. Over many hundreds of years this grew to be an established system in the rank structures. A Warrant Officer is quite different to a non-commissioned officer. The Police were fortunate to be given appointment by Warrant. Despite internal rank structures, it has given a power of arrest and an authority over the public which is not present in other bodies.

Some years ago Brian and I - as the Administrators of the British sections , started to select outstanding posts for some recognition. Many posts can be of great interest - but, do not have a long period of interaction. This is what we are looking for - interaction - or, continued posts on the subject. Any member is eligible - although, we do keep the awards to those - which in our opinion - have given information and provided interest. We are pleased to announce that Azeoman has been selected for his excellent series on P.O.W. groups. This post will now be pinned for a number of weeks , and the Award shown against the title. Brian will arrange to send the Certificate of Merit. See the British Medals Forum. We look forward to being able to continue these Awards , as your posts fulfill the criteria. Mervyn

This was a Civilian Award - to reward civilian volunteers who served at least two years in any Official voluntary organisation within South Africa - or, overseas. Service had to be unpaid and voluntary. They were un-named named medals. The ribbon was Red, White, and Blue - the South African Colours at that period. (The ribbon on this one has seen use) Only 17,500 were struck in solid silver. With this small number they are sought after and not often seen overseas. The tragedy - as always - is that they are being bought to melt down for the silver value. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-47660000-1401267638.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-79417500-1401267725.jpgclick THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDAL FOR WAR SERVICES (2ND. WW)

Jock - badly worded on my part. The bayonet came into immediate use after it was adopted in 1907. However, this particular example was not issued until August 1915. I expect it remained in British use until after 1918 when enormous numbers were sold out of service. General Allenby's Mesopotamia Campaign had brought many Arab countries under our influence and I expect we sold - or, gave them rifles and bayonets. The Arab Legion under Glubb Pasha was set-up in Jordan - it would be great to have one from that famous unit. Mervyn

I have deleted the 'offending' posts.

Christoffer - welcome to GMIC. We will look forward to seeing your mini-Doc.. when you complete the sub-titles. Meanwhile you have added another 'chapter' to this interesting record. Mervyn

Jock - The Wilkinson 1907 pattern was first issued in August 1915 - according to the stamps. On the reverse it shows the Broad Arrow of the Board of Ordnance - showing it was British issue. The X shows that it was sold out of service. The arabic stamp is for the Country that made the purchase. Perhaps Jordan - since there is a J in the stamp , however, it needs an arabic reader to help. Mervyn

OFFICERS http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-29362600-1401102425.jpgclick 1917 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-15956000-1401102570.jpgclick 1953 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-83451400-1401102764.jpgclick 1964 1975

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-48326600-1401102052.jpgclick 1974 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-74745900-1401102181.jpgclick 1975

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-51066200-1401101291.jpgclick 1948 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-34442500-1401101446.jpgclick 1956 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-93142400-1401101613.jpgclick 1964

INFANTRY http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-56390400-1401099994.jpgclick 1918 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-71504700-1401100351.jpgclick 1940 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-12678500-1401100633.jpgclick 1944

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-42216600-1401099004.jpgclick 1975