Mervyn Mitton

Close-up of sleeve detail http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-71254500-1340815176.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Left sleeve with embroidered decoration and the crepe mourning band. The gold work was usually carried out by the Royal School of Needlework http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-78791700-1340814902.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Reverse of tunic. He would have worn silver brocade cross and centre belts + a dress sword. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-58960400-1340814712.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-88957500-1340814382.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE---------------------------- This early badge for the Regiment shows the Lion of England. However, with William 3rd. being the Prince of Orange , it has been thought that he originally meant to award the Dutch Lion rampant.

----------------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-24123100-1340812562.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE------------------------------------------- This exceptional tunic is for the Colonel commanding the - 4th.(King's Own) Regiment of Foot. The tunic belonged to Colonel John Rowlandson, he had fought in 1879 in the Anglo-Zulu War and was worn at Queen Victoria's Funeral in 1901. He became Colonel in 1897. The above details are from a book published in 1900 and therefore, all of theBattle Honours are not included for later periods. The black crepe band on the left arm indicated the mourning band to show respect for the Queen - worn by officers' for a six month period. They were a very distinguished Regiment and were formed in 1680 by the Earl of Plymouth. They were numbered the '4th' to show their order of precedence when forming Line of Battle. After the Guards Regiments the 1st Regiment on the right of the Line was the Royal West Surrey Regt. (The Queens). This was a great honour. Their Lion badge was presented to them by King William 3rd. and Queen Mary (Britain's only joint Monarchs) when they became the first Regiment to offer allegiance on their landing at Torbay. When Queen Anne died in 1714 the Regiment became part of a new Marine Corps. They had previously fought and helped capture Gibralter in 1704. They had a number of names in later years and in 1959 amalgamated with the Border Regiment and became the 'King's Own Royal Border Regiment'

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Robin - your collection is growing well - and with some very attractive pieces. I think it will prove to be a good investment. Mervyn

I agree with Paul - probably a Lieutenant's breast badge of the Order. The Crown is present over the cypher and I am not sure how it could be a 'private issue'. The probability is that he served the Royal Family in some capacity - perhaps as an aide on an overseas visit - or, perhaps he was staioned in Britain ? He has 2nd WW awards - however, are there any that would indicate service from an earier period ?

Dear Joe - you have an early World War 1 trio - although it looks like RAMC - the first letter is not clear. Perhaps you could re-photograph the naming as a close-up. The Star has the bar for August 8th to 22nd. November 1914. This was Britain's regular army - sent to defend Belgium and Northern France. They became known as the 'Old Comtemptibles' and since he has the bar, it meant he came within range of German artillery. Being an officer makes a big difference - and the trio is quite valuabe because of it's limited issue. Perhaps as much as 300 pounds or, even a little more. A lot will depend on his being a Doctor and his further service. I would suggest that you join GMIC as a subscribing member - details at top of forum - and on our British Medals section we have a number of posts on these 1914 groups. Meanwhile, I expect some of our members may be able to help with some research. Feel free to ask any further questions. Mervyn

Sicherheitsdients - can't help with the badges - but couldn't you make contact with some of their Navy people ? What I wanted to ask is - do Morocco have a big Navy ? Any major ships or, submarines ? I hope your collection is still going strong. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-89945700-1340725040.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE A pair of Shoulder flashes. I have no idea which unit they represent. However, it is interesting how the stitching varies on the two birds. Almost as if they have been done by hand - perhaps as a 'cottage industry' ?

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http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-17844600-1340724633.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE These are probably for the Zimbabwe Police - or, perhaps airforce. Interesting that the pips follow a British pattern - but with different centres.

Peter - you've come-up 'trumps'. Always very satisfying to be abe to prove that given facts are in fact correct. Thankyou. Mervyn

Mike - post 46 should be compulsory reading for anyone travelling in Africa. The Basuto drivers' are a great nuisance. The oxen - are wretched inbred brutes The military were jealous of the civilians. Oh ! and his final note - no table to write-on I congratulate you on persevering with this splendid series of reports and observations. Brian and I have left it pinned, the interest from Members is growing as they realise that this day by day report of a Canadian Regiment in a foreign and difficult Country like South Africa - is an almost unique account. Mervyn

This shows the lovely carving of the leaves. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-63973000-1340641704.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-6209-0-52149200-1340640389.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE Bandmaster C.R.Allen served with the Coldstream Guards from the 1880's to approx. 1908. His great, great Grandson was not sure on these dates. However, the Coldstream Guards visited Canada in 1903 and he was presented with this lovely Band Baton by the town of Woodstock, Ontario. I am hoping this is near to where Brian lives and that he will find a record of the presentation in the Town archives ? I suspect that the wood may be Maple - the carved leaves certainly are. I will show a number of pictures showing the inscriptions and your comments will be very welcome. Strange how this has survived in such good condition for 109 years.

Bill - a very rare award and beatifully presented in it's own case. This was exactly what I had in mind for this particular post. Mind you - I was trying to work out how you play hockey on aircraft wings ..........but, that's me being stupid - then I remembered how a Wing in the airforce is a unit of three squadrons.

For members' information this was also posted under British Police, and a number of replies were made.

Thankyou Jock - I remember the great quality of your collection from when you first posted. Have you had anything recently ? Always remember you have a very interested audience........

Hi, Boots. Welcome to GMIC. Bad luck for him to survive WW1 and then get killed in a motor accident. I hope one of our members will be able to help with your enquiry - meanwhile tell us a little about yourself - where do you live ? We have had a lot of Australians joining in recent months. Mervyn

Will - a very interesting subject and I have personally learnt a lot from yourself and Steve. I think this will be a new field for many of our collectors. We haven't heard from you for a while - I hope all is well ? I take it you are still in Sudan ? With best wishes. Mervyn