Mervyn Mitton

An interesting background - obviously the Middx. Regt. was used as a holding base for the Labour Battalions. I wonder what work they put them to on the British mainland ? During the 1st WW Britain interned all foreign Nationals from Countries we were at war with. We used the main town on The Isle of Man - Douglas . This had a British garrison , under the Command of Colonel Panzera. He was formerly a Major with the Rhodesian BSAP and after the Boer War became the Governor of Bechuanaland. (now Botswana). He died on duty in 1916 from a heart attack. I think this is the first time I have seen reference to Labour Bns. formed from internees. Mervyn

Dante - a very impressive post - full of good information. You were indeed fortunate to be able to put all of this together. Mervyn

Paul - this is a great inheritence. Removing chrome on swords - i.e. a straightish surface is possible - however, for firearms I would say best leave alone. After all they were originally chromed for protection and whilst you display them this protection will still be needed in a humid atmosphere. Write a full account of their original owners - the family members - and make sure it is kept with the weapons. So many weapons come-on the market or, are passed down in families - and yet they know little of the history attached to them. Mervyn

What a good idea - let's have a comp. to see who we would suggest these days ?

The heirarchy for Ranks is 1. Commissioner Met. Police - 2. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary 3. Deputy Commissioner 4. Chief Constables This one would appear to be for a Chief Constable.

Jef - I'm afraid it looks as if the right member hasn't found this post yet. We must keep hoping ? When I was in the Met.. Police I was at Bethnal Green - but Poplar and Stepney were part of 'H' Division - so I know it well. Mervyn

A lovely example - and quite rare in platinum. I always tend to think that the ones with diamonds are from senior officers - but the truth is that many junior officers in those days came from 'money'. Certainly a good investment for 4 pounds ($6).

.................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-28071900-1358692658.jpgclick............................... Interesting that the figure of Brittania is holding the Edward Crown and the Sword of State ready to present.

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..............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-33053200-1358691805.jpgCLICK.................................. This nicely made bronze medallion was made to commemorate the proposed Coronation of King Edward 8th. in 1937

...............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-97456900-1358691417.jpgCLICK............................... This is the central panel with award details : AWARDED TO ANTny. BRYCE BLACKSTON. BEST 2 YEAR OLD BULL 1874

............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-95169500-1358691222.jpgclick............................. The casting around the rim says - WEST LOTHIAN AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. INSTITUTED 1803

................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-99445800-1358690629.jpgclick................................. This lovely bronze agricultural prize medallion was made in 1874. It is a general presentation, since they have included most farmyard animals and birds. The artists name is on the front and also, Birmingham. Just think of the history that has happened over the past 138 years. Strange that it has an English Church spire on the right - and Zulu huts on the left. Although it was made in Birmingham and named for Scotland, perhaps they sold the same medallion in Sth. Africa as well - and just changed the area name ?

The Turks were great ones for forging Sovereigns. The 1980's were particularly bad - so always check. With this example you can see the base metal showing through. There is one possibility - perhaps this was made in the 1st WW for distribution overseas - POW's etc. The George 5th. head would be correct and the gold would have worn by now to this degree. Only a thought - however, the lack of a date would prevent it ever going into circulation in the UK. Don't forget, we didn't go off the 'gold standard until 1922. I would have thought a forgery made for general distribution would have a date. Mervyn

Larry - the British tradition - literally going back thousands of years and probably pre-dating Christianity, is that in that period of the year when great feasts were held, a special pudding was made. This was of meat originally, but later became of fruits and suet - when spices became available by the 15/16th Centuries the richer people had them mixed-in. So, the tradition of the Christmas pudding became general. Coins were often mixed in to give a gift to visitors and nowdays, it is usual to just put in one coin. The 3d small silver coin was the most popular (known in Sth. Africa as a 'tickey') - the person who found-it in his helping would have good luck in the year ahead - and sometimes an additional small gift from the host. The tradition - unfortunately - is dying out - the risk of someone swallowing the coin and suing has become too high. This of course is nonsense, but helps to explain why the World has become a boring place with everyone looking and sounding the same....... Mervyn

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The South African Republic - the Boers existed until the Peace of 1902 - minted their own coins in Pretoria from 1892 to 1898. British and Commonwealth soldiers and officers - took many of these coins home and later had them mounted as cufflinks. I showed a pair with 1/2 Kruger gold coins on the Coins section. This pair have two sixpences (6d's) as the main front coin - then a small silver link chain - and then two, three penny silver coins (3d's). These are always known as tickeys in Sth. Africa and were a favourite for the Christmas Pudding. One of these is a Kruger coin - the other dated 1910 - is an Australian 3d. coin. I feel almost certain that these belonged to an Australian who served in the Boer War - he just didn't get around to the cufflinks until 1910. Quite a rare and unusual set - and very collectable. .........................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-43035700-1358611097.jpgclick.................................

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The dreadful condition of this important group is a lesson to everyone that medals are not for playing with. Sometimes people - usually women - ask to buy a medal " because my husband has been good to me for 25 years '. I always point out that even the lowliest private in an office - still had to give-up 5 years of his life. This lovely Military Cross is dated 1943 - it is therefore(probably) an award for the Norrth Africa campaign. The five General Service medals are all present - incl. the Defence. I am showing the Group for you to see it's present condition - re-ribboning and also cleaning of the medals is very necessary in this case. I have no naming - however, there were some small items that may give clues. I will show a picture when it has been remounted and let you know how the search for his name goes. ......................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-25551900-1358610153.jpgclick...............................

Very interesting - I see that it is for Queen Elizabeth. Perhaps a special unit - or, could it have been for something like Masonic formal dinners ? Mervyn

With a bit of black card cutout behind to show original appearance. .........................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-25677600-1358419083.jpgclick..........................

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I recently acquired this nicely made officer's capbadge. The style with the large pearls above the bars is typical of the 1st World War and also for the period of the 1920's and 30's. However, I think this is for the Royal Flying Corps. This is probably a Gaunt made badge - in which case it would have had a metal plate - or,a cut out in black felt behind the badge. I have cut an outline in black paper to show how it would have looked. Any confirmation will be welcome. ...................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-03472800-1358418821.jpgclick..........................

Gerry - thankyou for your email regarding the Rhodesian Memorials. I would like to offer you an opportunity to show some of this history on GMIC. With over 8000 members and a strong following on Rhodesia - this would be an excellent chance to not only recruit some dedicated new members - but, also to explain exactly how it is all being set-up and also where visitors can view. We would give you a 'pinned' position and you could extend the information over a period of time. Please give this some serious thought . With regard to the King's Colour - having now found out so much of it's history - and having checked with a number of top auction houses, I now realise just how rare it is for such an item to be available. I am told that it is probably over 50 years since such a Collour was sold. I will give the matter further thought and will IM you in due course. Mervyn

Certain Countries are more accepting of this practise than others. Canada uses silver quite a lot - as does Sth. Africa - they both have the resources. Most British awards are also silver. What I don't understand is why anyone would chrome a silver issue - and why gild a Bronze medal ? This is an exceptional pair of groups but, in my opinion their value has been depressed. Hard to say by how much - they are still collectable. Probably to a lesser extent in Canada then if they were to be offered in Britain. Mervyn