Mervyn Mitton

Thankyou Jean-Paul. Great feats of courage and gallantry - and deserving of such a high price. However, 20 years ago it would probably have been lucky to reach 10,000 pounds. The earlier ones were never regarded very highly by collectors - the standards of awardment were not so high as with later ones. Mervyn

I heard today - from a Warrant Officer serving in Jo'burg - that the local Regiments are being dis-banded and reformed under new names and with African CO's. I understand that the laying up of the Colours for the Transvaal Scottish will take place very soon. Some of these Regiments have history extending well back into the 19th. Century and have served their Country with distinction. A tragedy that they are being treated like this simply because the present Govt. is obviously nervous of having them under their old organisation. What is apparantly happening in the North will soon spread to the other Provinces. My newspaper story on the Lounge must link with these changes. I would be grateful if any other members from SA can confirm if all of this is true - it is the first I have heard. One final thought - buy their badges and medals whilst you can....................... Mervyn

Paul - I would try local police stations - fire brigade stations and ambulance service stations. You might be lucky and find they still have records from that period. Loacl museums may also be able to help and of course there is the Air Ministry itself. Best of luck . Mervyn (I mention the original authorities because at Bethnal Green we still had reports of bombings and stampedes from WW2. Next to Bethanl Green tube station was a small park with a local 3.7" AA battery. Peoople going to the shelters were startled when the guns opened fire and they tried to push down the stairs. Nearly 200 were killed and I think it is still the worst crowd tragedy in the UK ? ) ps. Send a letter to the local paper - you may be surprised with what turns-up.

DD and the Broad Arrow mark it as being supplied by the Board of Ordnance. I have seen these before - but usually from WW1 - I think it is a clinometer - used for measuring the angle from the horizon. I hope someone can confirm ? Mervyn

Bill - looking back at the original post from 2006, I see that this member was banned by the Chairman. I don't know the circumstances. Meanwhile - welcome to GMIC. Mervyn

Hi - Leuchtturm. Nice cap - it is for a British Royal Navy Petty Officer. Since it is the Queen's Crown , it dates between 1952 and the present. Mervyn

Paul - whichever Regiment wore this button - it is for their 2nd. Battalion. I will look through some Victorian uniform patterns and see if I can help. It is certainly for Queen Victoria - 1837-1901. Mervyn

Moorosibook - welcome to GMIC - and well done on your new book. Strange in some ways that an American (I presume ?) has written a book on what was a rather obscure small war - and barely remembered now. Are you sending books direct - I could well buy a copy, such an interesting period - however, I would like it signed. Mervyn

Hi - Adrob. Interesting that your man died and that this half would have come via the Red Cross. Do you know the cause of death ? Mervyn

First time I've seen this proclamation. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-14428300-1350737098.jpgclick

I recently took-in an OBE group - exceptionally this came with his war diary for the later part of the war. He was a Lt. Col. in the Royal Engineers and became the Military Officer in charge of re-building a number of Italian ports. This was after the Italians surrendered. He worked in the ports of Piobino - Civitia Vecchia (Port of Rome) and finally at Genoa. I will be posting the medals and excerpts fromt the diary later - however, one of the official documents sent to him concerns the wearing of an MID oak leaf. This document very firmly states that only one oak leaf will be worn - in spite of how many awarded. Also, that it never goes on the ribbon - but has to be worn on the tunic without backing. This would be similar to the Police Queen's Commendation - which is also worn alone. I am aware of the one only rule - usually ignored by old servicemen, who wanted them to be seen. I have seen as many as 5 on a medal. However, I have never heard of this rule of on the cloth only - and in fact don't think I've even seen one mounted this way. Perhaps they changed the rule - but this is dated for 1945. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-78778900-1350660275.jpgclick

He used to wear the POW ID around his neck - suspended from his uniform lanyard. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-43965900-1350659251.jpgclick

............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-18074800-1350657564.jpg............................................... This strange item is the ID neck badge for a Prisoner of War of the Germans. The purpose of the perforations and the double set of numbers, is that in case of death it is broken in half and one side went to the Red Cross to advise family and the other half to German authorities. In this case you can clearly see his internment number - and that he was in Stalag 9C (1X). His name is Peter van Vlerk. I met him earlier this week - he is now 93 years of age and living in sheltered housing. At the time of his capture he was a Lieutenant with the South African Air Force - serving with the Squadron 34. They and one other Sq. were flying Liberators - an American Bomber that carried a crew of 8. They were flying ops. into Hungary and were on their way to attack the Marshalling Yards at Zumbethly (this spelling may need correction). When nearly over the target a German plane flying above them illuminated flares. This was sufficient for ground anti-aircraft to hit them. Out of the 8 crew all were killed - except Lt. van Vlerk - who was a gunner. He was badly wounded and was taken to hospital (another dodgy spelling - neither of us was sure ) at a place called Uburmarsfeld. When he had recovered sufficiently he was taken to Stalag 9C - which was at Zumbethly. His medals are with his Grandchildren - which is where they should be. The ID and his WW2 Sam Browne cross belt - with date 1942 - they didn't need and he wants them to go to a collector . I wish more people were as sensible. It was a pleasure to meet him and to listen to his WW2 experiences.

I would say - Yes. Royal Munster Fusiliers.

Just a little snippet - The Egyptian Campaign was the first time that Australia sent troops outside of Australia.

Norman - welcome to GMIC. Mervyn

Hi. Sorry no one answered your query - it just needs someone with a list of where the Field Post Offices were situated. The question is - who would have such a list ? Perhapes the Imperial War Museum - worth a try. Mervyn

George 5th. reached his 25th - the Silver Jubilee in 1935 - and died fairly soon afterwards. About 25 - 30 pounds on a 'good day'. He was followed by the dissolute Edward 8th - who abdicated on 6/12/36.

Because it is bronze it does terrible damage to the British Egyptian medal of the period. The Khedive's can have different dates for the various campaigns. Pity you haven't got the pair together. Mervyn

Hello Brabant. This would really be better on our British Medal Forum - you are more likely to get responses and info. from Members. I will leave you to re-post - and will then delete this one. Mervyn

Hi Brian. This is what collecting is all about. However, I do feel sorry for Linda being dragged around in the rain. I hope you bought her something nice ? Your new pistol is a very fine example of a top British gunmaker's work. Well worth the pain and the rain. Best wishes Mervyn

Reverses of the three 2nd WW Stars http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-34877600-1349883573.jpgclick

Reverse of the Pro Patria Medal http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-47526400-1349883427.jpgclick

Reverse of Bi-lingual (English and Afrikaans) Victory Medal http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-73126100-1349883257.jpgclick

Reverse of Red Cross http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-03430600-1349883113.jpgclick