Mervyn Mitton

The reverses http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-00512900-1349882881.jpgclick

...........................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-24670300-1349881594.jpgclick.................................................. I found this to be a very interesting set of medals. Covering a period from the Boer War (1899-1902) to the South African Border Wars in the 1970's. From top left : 120 Pte. J.E.Thomas New England Mounted Rifles. These were based in New England - a small town in the Berkely East District of the Eastern Cape. They were only 160 in strength, however, with Boer attacks in the area they suffered a number of casualties. I found a post from QSA Mike under Google - he has a member of the same unit but, with 5 bars. To answer the question you posed Mike, I think he transferred. Next : A Victory Medal only - however, the ribbon bar is present , showing he had a War Medal and from WW2 an Africa Service Medal. This is probably a son-in-law. Next: A Red Cross Medal - For Efficiency in Mining. An unusual medal - possibly an Uncle. Next: The Pro Patria Medal - with the Cunene Clasp for Cross Border Service. With the bar it is quite rare. South Africa was defending South West Africa (now Namibia) against Angola and Cuba - who were being supported by Russian Communist aid. Small point of interest - it is believed that AIDS started in Angola - possibly from a Cuban troop eating a Green Monkey - the sickness is endemic to them. This was issued to the great grandson of J.E.Thomas. Next: The 2nd WW Group to 214772 E.P.Thomas. I think the Grandson. The group consists of the 39/45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Africa Medal. Not very often that you have such diversity in one set of medals.

Top left seems to be a generic pattern - just different wording for different Countries. I think Kenya is around the date Ulsterman puts on it - very tribal with the spears. I particularly liked the Veterans badge. I'm not sure that Red Cross doesn't qualify as a militaria subject. However, it goes nicely here and I hope Members will be able to contribute examples from their Countries. I will add some South African types. Mervn

Bearing in mind when Rupert Brooke's poem was written - to me - it has to personify England and Britain and our Commonwealth.

Homerjey. I would say that the wordingr means - 1301 (Service number) W.O.1 (Warrant Officer First Class) M.C. de Mountfalcon GS( General Service) 'I' (Iraq) A nice medal - how did you come to acquire this ? Mervyn

Arthur - I'm waiting for an opportunity to post a board with medals for 5 members of a family. I will appreciate your comments. Mervyn

Brian - A lovely pistol - what a pity it is separated from it's pair. I regret that I must make two comments - the grip is not aluminium - this was not available until the 1880's. I would say from it's appearance that it is brass. The other point is that to be a duelling pistol - and it is a British maker - then it has to be pre 1810 (I think that was when duelling was outlawed - perhaps earlier ?). There were examples of percussion even at that time - but expensive. Mervyn

MJF - welcome to GMIC - you could have chosen a shorter name ................. Mervyn

Thankyou for adding his name - I'm sure that will make the post more interesting. What was his position with the Royal Family ? Sorry about the Lodger/Dodger - much easier with a first name.......... Mervyn

Take no nottice of them Robin. They wouldn't know a good trivet if it bit them................ These are common items in South Africa - and of course in old home in Britain and Europe. How else would you keep the kettle boiling with an open fire ? In SA they were used by the Voortrekkers as they moved around the Country - trying to avoid the British. We were just too quick for them. Mervyn . Is the plural of a trivet - trivia ???

Hi - hope all is well in NZ ? Yes - it is the UDI pattern. I have had several Brigadiers pattern - however, although similar this one is for a woman officer's hat , it is smaller in size. Mervyn

"N" was for the early Natal Police - disbanded in 1913. Mervyn

Artful Dodger - welcome to GMIC - and thankyou for adding to this post. Since you have shown the Order and given the numbers, is there a reason why you can't tell us who he was ? I'm sure Members will find this interesting and it will save a lot of time doing research. Mervyn

These are all rare examples - from the top, downwards. 1. This is the British Pioneer Sword - note. it is a sword not a bayonet. In use for only about 50 years it was phased out near the beginning of the 20th Century. We have shown them on this Forum in previous posts - rarely does it come complete with the sheath. 2. This is the German 98/05 Butcher Blade sawback. One of the most sought after of all Bayonets. There is also a version without the sawback. Called the Butcher Blade because of the way the end of the blade swells out - just like a butcher's blade of that period. It is not the longest German bayonet - there is a much longer version carried by the Artillery. 3. This is one of the longest and rarest of the many British bayonets. It is the 1879 Artillery pattern and what makes it particularly rare is the curved wrap around guard - normally found on swords. The bayonet is 31.5 inches long (78,75cm) The blade is 26 inches (65cm) and the sawback part 9.5 inches (23.75). A really formidable weapon. I will be doing a post on this one. The purpose of the Sawback was for cutting down brush and small trees that could interfere with firing, also, to prepare a site for a bivouac. ............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-00911100-1349443559.jpgclick...................................................

Sawbacked bayonets and swords are very collectable - and command a premium above the straight bladed versions. Over the years - particularly in the 19th Century, there were many variations. Some of them rarer then others. This would be a good time and place to put together some details on these different patterns - and, covering all Countries. Should you have access to pictures - local museum exhibits - or, better still , in your own collection, then please include them under this thread. Should be interesting to see how many we can find ? The following picture shows three examples - all rare. ..................................................... http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-87890500-1349443269.jpgclick .......................................

Kano - the latest Medal Year Book shows Atlantic Stars at 30 - 35 Pounds.

Well - you are the one to say 'it looks rough' . I think you have done an incredible job and many museums would be happy to have it on display. Where do you manage to store all of these pieces. Also, do you have to have special permission to keep them ? Mervyn

Sorry Hugh - I don't. However, I would think it a possibility that this happened at the end of WW2.. Thailand had many insurgency problems at that time - and in fact King Bhumipol's brother was murdered in 1946. Perhaps we gave these Provinces to Thailand to help lessen our responsibilities ? Mervyn

Hi Paul. Personally, I would have thought the Medal was rarer then the clasps - but, as you say, I've never seen official figures. I do know that most loose clasps fill me with suspicion - so easy to make them. Mervyn

The present price for an Atlantic Star is around 35 pounds ($ 53) - the most expensive Star after the Air Crew Europe. Worth their while to make these fakes. Mervyn

Hugh - I hope we have members who can assist you - the project sounds very interesting. I was in Thailand from 1960 and although the insurgency had been brought under control in Malaya, the terrorists were still in the lower South of Thailand. You weren't allowed to travel there without permission.

I think you've 'hit the jackpot' with these splendid old photos. Were there others in the collection ? I would agree with you that they are almost certainly originals - and with the identifications - must be fairly valuable. I can see a pair for Egypt - but can't see details. We must look forward to seeing more ? Mervyn

Typical blade engraving http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-40638400-1349108897.jpgclick

This is the main handle http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-35941800-1349108540.jpgclick

Embossing on the sheath http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-66771900-1349108351.jpgclick