Mervyn Mitton

I had totally forgotten this 'official' looking poster - it came to light when we were clearing up after the storeroom was flooded. The date on it, shows 1944 - but, they had probably been in operation from an earlier date. The initials I N A (Indian National Army) are very reminiscent of the I R A in Ireland - and I suspect that there were probably links. They may well have been advisors and instructors to the INA. Both groups were very anti-British at the time and it would be interesting if we could establish a link ? Basically, the INA were hoping to assist the Japanese Army to take control in India - although 1944 seems quite late in the War. Which is why I think they must have existed earlier. The document is in - I think - Tamil on one side and English on the other. At the base of the Indian side is a tin badge showing an outline of India and the initials INA. This has been fixed in a way that makes it look like an official proclamation. The printing is poor and difficult to read. I have broken it up into small sections and hope you can make it out. I suspect that it is probably rare - and perhaps quite valuable. Remember that this is Sedition during a War - and if caught they would have been shot. I look forward to your comments and opinions ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-01738500-1341603177.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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These three look as if they are about 1910. The type of humour - known as 'seaside' - as they were usually sent when on holiday , is important as it shows the 'friendly' regard the public had for the Police of the time. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-55559000-1341509088.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Brilliant Mike. We've all been there - so, perhaps we should buy in bulk ? Where - by the way - is the shop ? Mervyn

Hello Bluehawk - welcome to GMIC. Now - are the Ozarks in the US or Canada ?

Lee - I'm sorry , I had overlooked that the armband was not shown . By all means show the sword - we can then be sure that they had the rigrht description. Mervyn

Thanke Uwe - we learn something everyday.....................

A close-up of the reverse. I presume the central letter is an 'H' - but the unit or, Brigade doesn't ring an immediate bell ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-01680300-1341082223.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

The reverse - showing that it was an inter-Regimental football competition in Egypt during World War 2. I wonder what happened to Mr. Suttie ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-13105600-1341081867.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Looks like a standard British football medal - but why are there palm trees ? See the next post - the naming makes it a rare item. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-46522000-1341081645.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Uwe - what an interesting award. I didn't know that Germany had used the Yards , feet and inches system ? Mervyn

Reverse of SAS shoulder - for ref.. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-41999100-1340980534.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

SAS shoulder flash http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-65769300-1340980352.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Close-up of the SAS beret and badge http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-59936800-1340980048.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Close-up of Selous Scouts beret and badge http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-07666600-1340979876.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-55976000-1340979633.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE Left: O/R's Selous Scout Beret with badge . : Right: O/R's Rhodesian SAS Beret - cloth badge

Had a nice old chap come-in last week.- he is a former Rhodie and had these items from when he lived there. Firstly some UDI badges - nicely mounted to hang in a study. ------------------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-38907300-1340978927.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE------------------------------------------------ Right column : Signals ; Southern Rhodesia Artilery ; Engineers ; Medical ; Pay Corps. Left column : Armoured Car Regt.; Military Police ; Guard Force ; RASC ; Royal Rhodesia Regt. (Queen's Crown)

Dixon's b&w exampe for Hatton Garden has the lettering running along the body of the truncheon - my example has it in a band underneath the Crown. Anything from 1792 to 1820. Lee I hope this will be of some help. We must keep a lookout for the Del Mar catalogue. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-04567000-1340976614.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE The truncheon on the left is for the Foot Patrol - George 4th. - about 1820 to 1830. The next two are for the Bow Street Horse Patrol - King george 111 and therefore, 1805 to 1820.

Lee - some of the truncheons are bearing the cypher of King George 4th. This puts them between 1820 and 1830. I am going to illustrate the page from Dixon's book - published privately in 1952 and quite rare, and also, the three examples from my book. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-24470300-1340976273.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE He identifies the first two as Bow Street Horse Patrol - no.3 as the dismounted patrol - and the one with P.O.H.G. as the standard constable's truncheon for Police Office Hatton Garden - which was established in1792.

Please feel free to add your comments and information on the tunic and the Regiment

Gold lace around the collar http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-51199300-1340815752.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

One of rank epaulettes - showing a full colonel http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-29393300-1340815592.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

One of the gilt officers' buttons http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-41748400-1340815313.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE