Mervyn Mitton

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With the closing of the shop and my retirement, many things have come to 'light' - hidden in boxes and in cupboards for years. I found these in an envelope in just such a box - I really have no idea how long they were there. However, they fit nicely into this sub Forum - which has not had a lot of attention - although Nick makes it clear in the description that all Militaria can be included. Looking through them , I can see indications that it might be just one family's photos and post cards from WW1 - the family being German. They seem to start from 1915 and continue to 1918. I thought that I could see some family likeness' - one of the people seems fairly short and in one photo could be with his Father ? Please look through them and tell us what you think ? I will show first the cards that need to have both sides - then the the single ones. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-88605400-1400753040.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-34663000-1400753203.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-84568500-1400751852.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-44445200-1400751973.jpgclick I wonder if any South African member can help with an identification , and if possible, some history on this badge. It is South African, but I have been unable to find much beyond the fact that it was a local regiment. Mervyn

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The following six are Full Pages from the Illustrated London News. They were all originally B&W - which on mass can be quite boring - however, I used to have a brilliant artist in London , who watercoloured each print. He did great research on the colours to get them exactly right - and the result, as you see here - are dynamic pictures. They are 135 years old. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-61359500-1400666057.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-02211200-1400666578.jpgclick

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This was originally given out with the main Durban paper - The Natal Mercury. It was also sold on it's own as a commemorative item. Printed on linen backed paper and with the colours of the flag, it is now a rare collector's piece. Here are enlargements of the top and bottom halves - easier to read. Mervyn http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-78938000-1400664624.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-30963200-1400663736.jpgclick Mafeking was one of the three towns besieged by the Boers at the start of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899. The Boers had quite a substantial standing army at that time and had been planning for when war would be declared. Their first actions were to besiege the towns of Kimberley ,Ladysmith , and Mafeking. Kimberley and Ladysmith both had substantial garrisons. Mafeking - being in the North towards the Botswana Border (at that time it was Bechuanaland) did not have so many men to make a defence. Baden-Powells volunteer regiment were the main force, with local levies , a few other local troops and a unit from the British South Africa Police. The siege lasted far longer then the others and Britain became very aware of the plight of our troops. Marches were held and collections held to provide comforts for the troops. When the siege was eventually lifted in mid-May 1900 , with the arrival of our Relief Force there was great rejoicing throughout the Empire and for some years Mafeking Day became a public holiday. Always an unimportant place - it's only days of glory were the siege. It is noted today for a number of luxury hotels and a game park.

Ivan - I see that you have posted also on the main Police Forum - although not this bullion badge. I wonder if it might be worthwhile to try them both ? Certainly we are pleased to see you on this Forum - not enough people are posting with regard to the Police Forces of their Countries. Officer's bullion cap badges are about 50 pounds for the old Rhodesian - although, as always this can vary. Have you tried Google - use the caption as - Canadian Bullion RCMP officers cap badge - value? May give you some comparisons. Mervyn

I would describe him as ' Died on Service'. I fully agree with you that a little compassion is called for - how awful that the description should be on the roll for years to come. If he did commit suicide - what dreadful events led-up to that happening ? Best forgotten. Mervyn

Tony - they make very interesting reading. The numbers of rounds fired during back-up for troops and on minor ops. is quite staggering. I don't know how many to a box - but, the number of boxes would have been enormous, just for one Division. You sometimes have to think that some of the real heroes were the supplies sections. Thankyou for this glimpse into the past. Mervyn

No, well spotted Peter. They made his face very distorted. Mervyn

I was about to add this link to Sir Stamford Raffles. He was the Governor of Penang - but, didnt like the position and persuaded the British Govt. to annexe the Island of Singapore. He was the Governor and Founder of Singapore. When we seized Dutch Batavia, he went onto be the Governor . He was a remarkable man and founded the first Zoo in the World - The London Zoo. I would say that by naming his eldest son,Stamford Raffles,that there is a definite link - he was probably the Godfather. Certainly worth more research - you may be a 'lost' Lord............ Mervyn

Ed - what incredible workmanship - and patience.. They deserve to go into a Museum and I hope the grandson will not split and sell them. As for the stupid comment 'He must be crazy' - he was obviously a private person who enjoyed his hobby. Thankyou for posting this interesting link. Mervyn

Again - on the march to Relieve Ekowe. The garrison had been under siege by 20,000 thousand Zulus for some three months. The detail of troops , positions, Zulu guides etc. is quite exceptional. Remember that war artists accompanied the various events of the War. Their rough drawings made on the spot , were either completed by the artist - or, sent to England for another artist to work from the drawings. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-89294000-1399890766.jpgclick Zulus Charging. A very sought after print. The man on the captured horse is King Cetywayo's half-brother - Dubalamanzi. He was the man who took the three impis around the back of the mountain at Isandlwana and then attacked Rorke's Drift. Note how war propaganda - even in 1879, has influenced the drawings of the Zulus - particularly Dubulamanzi's face. Also, note how many captured Martini Henry's they are carrying.............. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-36938200-1399891110.jpgclick (I will add further pictures over the next few weeks)

The Heliograph at work. This lovely print shows General Chelmsford (Blue coat) - he was on his way to the final Battle at Ulundi. The spot he is shown at is now a stopping place on the main road and gives lovely views. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-38232200-1399890218.jpgclick Sailors on shore duty parading prior to the Battle of Ginginhlovu. This is one of my favourites - so well drawn that I could almost name the oxen..... http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-97851100-1399890479.jpgclick

A further selection of Zulu War pictures from the Illustrated London News of 1879. Originally black & white - these have been hand coloured in water colours. Rare. The 91st Regt . arrive in Durban on the Pretoria - a troopship. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-09302000-1399889667.jpgclick Troops on the march for the Relief of Ekowe (now Eshowe) http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-86438200-1399890064.jpgclick

A nice example of this medal Hugh. With Peter's excellent research , do you think you are related in any way to the Lt. Gen.? Mervyn

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http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-80444400-1399810416.jpgclick This post is not intended to give a complete history of the old South African Police. Rather it is an opener - with the hope that our many old SA Police members will respond with some history , and their own personal experiences. The above cap badge and collar badges are the pre 1994 pattern for officers - in gilt. After 1994 with the new Government, many things were changed - including the name. This became the South African Police Services. SAPS. Only a small change - however, it brought into being a quite different Force - and one that has a different view from the previous Government. The original SAP was established in 1913 - prior to this there were a whole host of smaller Forces, of which only the Cape Police and the Natal Police had real credibility. Following the Boer War, even more were set-up and it was finally decided to make just one Authority, with Country wide powers. The SAP were always a good Police Force - however, they were set-up to deal with a very big Country and many different races of people. They were based on our standard British overseas Police administrations - and being armed , were a para-military Force. This was in keeping with Australia, Canada, India, Hongkong, Rhodesia etc.. Generally speaking it was usually Hongkong and Rhodesia that were held-up as the leaders in efficiency and discipline - but they were not nearly as big in territory. The SAP achieved their 75th Anniversary in 1988 - and with the changes in 1994 can be held to have existed for 81 years. These are some pictures of the 75th. medal. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-11458300-1399811631.jpgclick

Paddywhack - I would like to add my thanks for your research - makes a big difference to this min. group. I agree that it is in - some ways - a strange citation - mules, rations ? However, he obviously saved the lives of his men , and fed the Bn. - so, as good as any other award........ Mervyn

Bob - very nice that you have identification for the min. MC group. Certainly makes it of more value. Have you ever researched his MC ? Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-38141800-1399644117.jpgclick When War started in 1914 , each Battalion had two Maxim Machine Guns - served by an officer and 14 men. This was increased to four machine guns per Bn. in 1915. This was found to be quite inadequate to counteract the number of machine guns in use with the German infantry. After much research it was decided that machine guns should be dealt with by their own unit - and not spread out under local authority. The Machine Gun Corps was created on October 14 1915 - it was to consist of Infantry Machine Gun Companies ; Cavalry Machine Gun Squadrons and Motor Machine Gun Batteries. The old Maxim Gun - slow in it's firing rate - was changed to the Vicker's .303 Machine Gun. This was to be in service for at least the next 50/60 years. The MGC was to continue until disbandment in 1922. The overall total of Officers and Men who served with-in the Corps is shown as 170,500, during the seven years of it's existance. From this number 62,049 were shown to have been killed, injured or, were posted missing. That is nearly a third of their total. Brave men. Complete sets of buttons are fairly rare for this Unit - I came across these in an old box. They are for an Officer and have his Cap Badge. I will put them on our Sales Forum at a later date. Mervyn

That sounds a very good secondary prize. Thankyou. I think the next comp. will be in july - I need to speak to Peter Monahan for his thoughts. Best wishes Mervyn