Mervyn Mitton

I agree with all of you who say NO ! The exception is a competitor who has won consistently over the years, and therefore has brought Honour to Britain. One off's are just that. When Sth. Africa's splendid little team returned to Johannesburg they were given cheques for Rands 200,000 each for a Gold Medal. This was as they came through from Customs. No discrete ceremony - just paid off like workers. It was a disgrace and unlike most Countries who had their Prtesidents at the Games,I don't think we sent anyone of importance.

Hi - Kingsman. Two very nice sweetheart brooches. The first is for the Leicstershire Regiment and the other obviously Artillery. I think both may have been made in India - the Leics. Regt. were serving there in the 1890's - and although it has a Lion Passant to show that it is sterling , there is only a date letter - but, without a mint. The Artillery has letters before an 's' - and this could also be Indian. Why put them on eBay - we have a very good sales section on GMIC. My Grandfather served with the Leics. Regt. and I would bid on the forum. Mervyn

Audrey did the original research on this group and has my endorsement. Welcome to GMIC and we look forward to further help. Mervyn

Hi - Mike. A different subject - makes a change. My favourite military poem has to be : Alfred Lord Tennyson - THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

A rare piece of ephemera - the collecting of paper and items without a specific field. I think this is the first time I have seen a list of the contents from one of these parcels - very interesting. Mervyn

Hi - John. I agree with you - at that level you would expect to find names and coats-of-arms. I have seen examples but, not as commonly as the standard examples. I think this one is good for the fact that it is an early example of the pattern and has excellent etching on the blade. Most of them have been so over polished by zealous bat-men that the blades are virtually clean. You make the point that many Victorian swords had the owner's name or, regiment. I think that this was because they were given as 'passing out' gifts from the family. Probably by the time they had reached the rank of General it was just part of the uniform ? Mervyn

Thanks Ed. I'll look at the hat for the name. I left it to members to add to these posts - they can' be that hard .... Hope all is well - how is your Mother ? Mervyn

DM - I think the idea spread across a lot of Countries. Australia and Sth. Africa certainly had them - and as far back as the Boer War. Do you have any examples you could post ? Mervyn

Well done................

.........................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-90882300-1345473256.jpgclick..................................................

.............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-75032300-1345472831.jpgclick..................................................

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-20658800-1345472683.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-52297200-1345472519.jpgclick

We have had a number of Indian and Indo-Persian daggers and knives on this Forum recently - and, some very good examples. These are two with a difference - they were made in Rhodesia - prior to 1980. The dagger style has a grip made from elephant ivory - whilst the sawback seems to be buffalo horn. Not a great value - but interesting examples of a professional knifemakers work. I wonder if anyone can identify the maker from the initials on the blade of the knife ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-05619800-1345472359.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-54658300-1345471067.jpgclick

Second Cap http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-36420300-1345470891.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-73725600-1345470763.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-56340300-1345470574.jpgclick

Another two caps in this series. Please add any information that you can - Country, Force, Town etc.. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-41973700-1345470407.jpgclick

I missed the May 28th post. This is a lovely piece - probably the Boer War period. I think it must represent a flaming grenade - I doubt that they are diamonds and not marquisite. Perhaps chips ? The little opening makes it into a locket - as you say perhaps for a lock of hair. Number 47 is similar to a previous example you had - more of a standard design. You are fortunate to be able to buy these for a rare Regiment. Mervyn

Brian - I must congratulate you on a really informative article on the SAHA. I will attach it - with your permission - to the medal? The discharge from one unit and the joining to another seems to have been fairly standard at the end of the SWA campaign. I believe it was called a Table Top Discharge - and was very simple in operation. The man marched before the recruiting officers and was asked if he wished to take discharge. On a Yes , he was then asked if he wished to sign for overseas service. Which then took effect. Because many of the men were senior NCO's they could not always have that rank I had the medals for a Colour Sergt. - who was offered the rank of Corporal - which he accepted. We will have to wait for his paper before we find out which Battery Deas was attached to. IrishGunner - we will look forward to your medal. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-83250800-1345383343.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-90668300-1345383211.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-92638700-1345382729.jpgclick This QSA and KSA is named to Nursing Sister I. P. Marshall. Very unfairly Nurses were never awarded clasps - so we have no idea in which hospitals she worked. Neither do we know - at this stage - if she was/ or, eventually, married Mr. Dallas. The two groups are together so we always have that possibility. The engraving is not so clear as on the first group - and her initial 'I' does worry me a little - it appears to have an 'O' surrounding it. This might just be the impression.- or, correction of a mistake. If we can establish that it is OK then it is a valuable group - they are usually just the QSA.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-66488800-1345382489.jpgclick