Mervyn Mitton

Looks like a WW1 18 pounder ? I wouldn't get too excited about the rest......................... Mervyn

The ceremony in English is always called crossing the line. Basically it goes back to the very early days of sailing ships crossing the Equator. All crew members - excluding officers - who were crossing for the first time - were entertained the day previously by crew who had. On the day of the crossing the 'newbies' were painted, ridiculed, made to eat unpleasant food and generally had a very unpleasant day. This was supervised by 'King Neptune' and his crew who had come on board early in the morning. Passenger ships of today still have the ceremony - but, very toned down. Mervyn

Perhaps a member could just list a few ways that will help Timo research this piece ? Mervyn

I have often found that when a badge has been left on the original cap for many years that the back retains a shine missing at the front. On this piece the front shows all the signs of regular polishing - takes years to get that worn look , unless a buffer is used. I would be be tempted to say that I think thtis is a genuine Victorian example. Mervyn ps - welcome to GMIC.

May I just add - this Forum is for all Members - from all Countries. We will be pleased to see anything that comes under the heading non-militaria. Mervyn

Stuka - isn't the Achille Lauro the ship that sank off the South African coast a few years ago - or, am I getting it mixed-up ? If it is the one I am thinking of , the entire crew - captain leading them - took to the boats and left all the passengers to fight for their lives. Keep safe or keep sake. In English a keep sake is something you buy or, are given , to remind you of a place , person or event. Mervyn

Mike what a wonderfull find - and two bars covering both periods.............. Your historical outline was fascinating and I greatly enjoyed reading it - the Fenians (or, todays I.R.A.) were not trained soldiers and stood little chance against the Canadian and British Forces. I must be honest and say that I have a great interest in the British Fenians - and have shown previously the carriage door I own from a horse drawn Police "Black Maria" that was attacked and a Police Sgt. murdered in order to effect the release of the two Fenian leaders , who then escaped to the US and set up thre organisation that attacked Canada. However my knowledge of individual battles in the two attacks is sadly lacking and you have helped to remedy that. Thankyou. Mervyn

Polsa - you did your best - I am wondering if it would have been dealt with by the Met. and therefore the papers might be in our archives. Have you tried coroner's reports ? When I was at Bethnal Green I crossed the Regent's Canal twice daily - to and from work. You could look down from the footbridge at Victoria Park and I would often see safes that had been forced and then dropped in. Hackney always hated to hear from me - they are difficult to get out. Best wishes Mervyn

Jock - do you have a picture for this lamp ? Mervyn

Spasm - should there be a picture to go with your post ? Mervyn

BjoW. Hello. With regard to the spelling of Spitalfields , this is not important - most people spelt phoenetically. Yes - they would have required age, DofB and home address. Look at early enlistments and they include these details. When I was in the Police I served in Bethnal Green - Shoreditch, with it's magnificent Nicholas Hawksmoor church , adjoined the area , as did Shoreditch and Whitechapel. They would each have been a Parish - but still the same area. People tended to live in areas they had been in for years - and I would expect the similar names are members of his family. The recruiter wouldn't worry about fine detail as it would all come under his responsibility. In 1860 the 57th served in India and in that year went to fight the Maori Wars in New Zealand. Returned home in 1867. In 1874 it went to Ceylon until 1879 when it was sent to fight the Zulus in Sth. Africa. Returned home in 1879 and in 1892 was sent Malta and then to India. It was still there in 1898. Hopefully of some help ? I think I am always amazed at the distances the Army was sent - and the frequency. Mervyn ps. I you've seen the series "REV" - the church he is in is Spitalfields. This area was also famous for being one of London's largest fruit and Veg. markets. It has been moved now. I had a good arrest on the steps of the Church - some lout with a knife.

BJoW - Hi. I am fortunate to have bought some years ago a very thick book called Records and Badges of the British Army. It was published in 1895 - with a final up-date in 1900. I can help with Regimental and Cavalry prior to 1900. The Royal Sussex Regt. - the 35th - served in India until 1865 , when they returned to Britain. In 1875 they were sent to Barbados and were there until 1880, when they were sent to Malta. In 1881-2 they were in Cyprus and after the Bombardment of Alexandria were present in operations in Egypt. The Battalion served throughout the 1884 Nile Campaign and fought at Abu Klea. A detachment were on board Gordon's steamers in Sir Charles Wilson's expedition to Khartoum in 1884. The Battalion returned home in 1885. The 2nd Battalion returned from India in 1875. In 1881 it came under the Territorial changes and was the 2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regt.. In 1882 it went to Malta and then in January 1885 to Egypt. Still in that year it was sent onto India and was still there in 1899. Interesting that both Bns. served in the same areas and at the same times. Hope this helps. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-69453900-1425553809.jpgclick Just to show there are younger girls in traditional costume & cellphones.........

Both the King and the President are Polygamous - I am not sure how many the King has - here are the three who attended the ceremony. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-36201100-1425553212.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-99838600-1425553416.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-10566000-1425553536.jpgclick That's a whole Leopard .....

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-32074000-1425552562.jpgclick We have recently had the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament. The King - Goodwill Zwelethini was there , together with the Provincial Prime Minister - and of course guards , with buttonholes. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-06631200-1425552826.jpgclick This is a close-up of his uniform. All the medals have the same ribbons - they are past kings. The "KZG" is new - we think it stands for KwaZulu Government. This is a wrong statement as the word Natal is part of the title.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-35065500-1425550888.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-24746700-1425551006.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-16500000-1425550144.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2015/post-6209-0-67552500-1425550258.jpgclick This Staff has often been associated for use in Kraals to show status. This example belongs to British friends and the wife has started to collect Zulu items. She has been very fortunate with this piece, as the staff actually represents very high status - possibly a Member of the King's Council. I will show below an example found in King Cetshwayo's hut and the write-up will explain how it was found in 1879.

terrylee has kindly sent me the correct picture for the 1879 Martini Henry. I will change them over. He has also sent me the complete range of Martini Henry variations , with captions. This I will post under our Firearms Forum, lower down on the pages. This won't happen immediately , but I will post here to let you know when it is completed.

Brian - some excellent help and advice - this type of Post is what makes GMIC so important a resource for it's members. I have occasionally seen swords with this sort of damage - as you say, usually when the sword is badly held and the blade slips out. Others I have seen have been caused by vehicles running over them in bivouacs etc.. The information you give is easy to follow , but having said that you need to have a familiarity with tools - I'm not even allowed near light bulbs..... I hope your monitoring of Rick is succesful - you might persuade him to seek asylum in Russia - although I hope not. Mervyn

Hello Simon - welcome back. The uniform may be earlier then you think and these could be the pattern of the time. They remind me of the Met. for this early time ? Are you abe to identify the medal - this would help with date. Mervyn

rumjar - was he a 'bit of a character ' ? He looks to be very ' relaxed' in this photo. Doesn't take away his MM though. Mervyn

As Wallis and Wallis say - the value as a Group is two or three hundred pounds. However, he had great publicity when he 'ran off' to France last year. I hope they do go for a lot of money - The Royal Naval Lifeboat Institute is a very worthwhile charity that saves many lives every year. Mervyn

Thank-you Jean-Paul for posting this up-to-date list . Mervyn

Peter - I was thinking that there was nothing to actually link it to the RIC - only the initials and I had misread them. Perhaps one day someone will have a good one to show - how is your collection coming along ? dksiggs - sorry we don't have better news for you. The rifle is still an excellent version and worthy of research on the initials. Probably the owner, but always the possibility they could be for a unit ? Thankyou for posting. Mervyn

Stuka - is it plastic or metal. Strange item - the first time I have seen a model of a container ship. Mervyn Christerd - thankyou for that background to the Anconia. I remember reading about her - however, over time we forget the details. Did Valentiner receive any imprisonment after WW1 ? Mervyn