Mervyn Mitton

IN INDIA - PROBABLY THE ROYAL ARTILLERY CAMP - ALTHOUGH I CAN'T SEE ANY GUNS http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-40786500-1334074714.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

BOGGIE IS ON LEFT IN HAND COLOURED PICTURE http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-22789600-1334074452.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

REVERSE OF GROUP. NOTICE HOW THE NAMING ON THE STAR SHOWS OUT. THIS IS GOOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHY - JUST PUT A SMEAR OF CHALK DUST AND WIPE OFF. THE LETTERING STANDS OUT. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-77766200-1334074184.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

ENLARGEMENT OF GROUP FRONT - 1937 CORONATION ON RIGHT http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-34461100-1334073901.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

This is the framed medal group. I will show close-ups to help those who have an interest. CLICK TO ENLARGE

We have recently had a number of questions and posts concerning the Mons Star in WW1. This group - which recently came-in will give an opportunity to discuss some of the points that lead to this period being singled out. Major K.D.H. Boggie is typical of his generation. He was born in 1894 and became a career soldier. He married in Feb. 1914 - obviously seeing the signs of WW1 on the horizon. He was 20 at that time. His wedding certificate is with his papers and he is shown as a corporal with the Royal Field Artillery. We did not have a big regular army in 1914 and almost immediately war was declared with Germany , the bulk was sent to Belgium and to France to defend against any German advances. Holland was neutral and many British troops were interned when, fleeing German attacks they took safety in neutral territory. This happened to over 1500 men of the Volunteer Royal Naval Reserve. We advanced into Belgium until we encountered the German lines at Mons. This was a serious battle period with many casualties on both sides. If our troops came within range of German light artillery then it was decreed that they had been under fire and were entitled to the special Bar - this is sewn onto the ribbon of the Star and gives the dates August 5 th. to 22 nd. November 1914. They also had a silver Rosette that was sewn onto the Ribbon of the Star for a ribbon bar - worn when medals were not worn. The other distinction is that the Star bears only the date "1914" - later ones have 1914-15. During the war he is shown as a Sergeant. Initially with the Royal Field Artillery - for his War and Victory this becomes R.A. (Royal Artillery.) Our Army became known as the 'Old Comtemptibles' - thought to have been how the Kaiser had described them. There are no records of the Kaiser saying this and it is thought by many historians today, that it was the British at Army HQ who coined the phrase to get public sympathy. True or not - the title was carried by all , with great pride. The Germans forced our retreat from Mons and our troops pulled back. We tried to defend Antwerp - but failed and eventually our Forces took positions outside of Ypres - still in Belgium. We took a heavy battering - with many casualties - but held the line. The Germans retreated and we built-up our Forces. The Menin Gate at Ypres commemorates the fighting and the number of shown casualties is staggering. Right up to the present a trumpeter sounds the Last Post every morning. Amongst the excellent paperwork with this Group is his Warrant from the King appointing him a Warrant Officer 2nd. Class on June 28th. 1928. This is a rare document andf I will give a brief explanation of the differences between a commissioned officer and a warrant officer. Basically you have to go back in time six or, seven hundred years ago. With a specific battle in mind the King would Commission an an aide or, titled landowner to organise and fight the battle. He in turn would appoint deputies who would also be commissioned by the King. So, you were not an officer if you were not a gentleman. This still left the problem of the lower ranks who actually fought the battles - commanded the men - and in the case of ships , sailed them and commanded the crew. These 'officers' were given a Warrant by the King to carry out the duties they were appointed for. We still have these differences in the British Police. Every officer is a Warrant officer by virtue of his duties - however, there is an internal Rank structure which creates sergeants or, Officers of Police. Amongst the papers are a number of photos - one shows in a hand tinted photo a picture of him with an officer - he is still a Sgt. so it must pre-date 1928. Then there are others - between 1933 and 1936 that seem to show him with the Queen's Royal Regiment. Perhaps he changed for a while - I won't know until his papers are drawn. There is a picture showing him a Lieutenant - probably just pre war - and he seems to have spent the war in India. He has corres. as a Captain and was promoted to Major. There are interesting letters and flimsies showing his efforts to have his son sent to the UK to join the RAF. I haven't shown these but if anyone is interested let me know. The simple fact is that there are lots of badges and artefacts in existance - but it is difficult to get 98 year old documents. You will have realised that only the 1st WW trio and the 1937 Coronation Medal are present. His WW2 medals are missing - probably in the hands of some great-aunt - who should give them back at once......

We live in a 'small ' World - that seems to shrink on a continuous basis. Christer - I think you have the ribbon bar out of order ? I would have thought OBE ; 39/45 ; Pacific Star ; War Medal ; Australia Service Medal and then Vietnam. Not sure if the Vietnam award took any precedence ?

Lapua - welcome to GMIC. I'm sure that Tony will be pleased with the info. you have given him. Mervyn

A nice looking medal - and good bars. I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer to see a silver finish - rather then Bronze - but that's a personal view. I believe that Australia has had a National Service medal for some years - I would be eligible for that and possibly a gen. service - although I probably didn't serve long enough with the Queensland Regt.. (as a Territorial) Anyway, thankyou for showing and discussing the new medal. Without the Forum a lot of our members wouldn't know about these issues. Mervyn

Odin - that was a great deal of work to post all of these Warrant numbers and their ref. sheets. I am sure that this will be very helpful to members in the future - you have our sincere thanks. My warrant was 158277 (from 1967) - and all numbers start from the Foundation of the Met. in 1829 - with the numbers you have given what year does that take us up to ?

Kevin - these look like officers' rank pips for the Guards Division. They use the Garter insignia. Mervyn

Strapper - excellent - some great detail. Mervyn

Best of luck - and do mention in the write-up that he was an "Old Contemptible' and entitled to the bar & rosette. Let us know how you get-on ?

Rob - welcome to GMIC. I agree with Mike - an insightful post with some good info.. We shall look forward to you joining us more often. Mervyn

Hi - achern. That's interesting , I would have thought they would have been bought up for those collectors who like to have 'one' of each medal. I've forgotten how much they were asking - but, possibly a good long term investment ? Mervyn

Gentlemen - we support you - but not all of our members are familiar with your work and aims. I have given you a chance to describe these and how the LOF is functioning today - as I mentioned earlier give us some background and also, the Countries you are still operating-in. You may get some new recruits ? Mervyn

A lovely matched pair, Robin. I can just imagine them either end of a Victorian mantleshelf ! Is the one on the left marginally less in height - might just be the angle ? Mervyn

Thankyou Megan. I bought his books last year and have been intending to do a review on them. For the Helmet enthusiast they have some good information. Mervyn

Welcome to GMIC - Weixiang. Alf will no doubt post a reply to you - however, we will be interested to learn about your collection - and where you live and work. Best wishes Mervyn

Welcome Crusader and Wordsmith to GMIC. We live in a rapidly changing World - where the old patriotism that built the British Empire is now viewed with suspicion. However, this should not mean that organisations that are able to help the Government in times of Special Emergencies should not exist. From the above correspondence it would seem to indicate though, that uniformed bodies with medals need to consider their image. I am pleased to see the subject being brought up to date - tell us a little about what the LOF is actually doing - and how it's organisation can be of benefit to the community? Mervyn

Not everyone who was in that campaign received the bar and rosette. Many personnel would not have been under the possibility of fire. However, in this case I expect he served at the front. You need to draw his papers from the Archive or, contact the museum for the 2nd. Dragoons. Since your research shows him as dead - where and how ? 1914 Star and Bar - and K.I.A. turns this into quite a valuable group. Mervyn

I'm not surprised - with items as important as these it becomes a family matter - even if the will says otherwise.

Chris - I wish you luck with the trio. Does the star have the bar on the ribbon showing the dates 5th August to 22 november 1914 ? Also a rosette in silver to go on the ribbon bar ? These meant that the recipient saw action under fire during this period and they add considerably to the value. Without them I would have thought around stg 120 - but as with all medals this has to be dependent on rank, condition and how many issued to the unit. A single 1st WW silver war medal is not a valuable item since it is missing the Victory medal. Do post them if you are succesful - then we can see the naming details. With regard to selling you will be able to do this on our For Sale section. Much better for you as it is a free service. Mervyn

Hi - Dan. Hope all is well ? Even at 400 mag. I can't make out the marks clearly. Why don't you contact Goldsmiths Hall for their views on it as a Dutch import ? Mervyn

John - the base of the grip is different to the standard type. Colonels had a lot of powers in the old days and it might just have been his preference when ordering. I will look through some UK Regt. histories and see if I can locate these initials. With your other sword for the Dep. Ch. Const. of Staffordshire - please post here and on our Police section which is higher-up the Forums. I think we have two different groups of members who will be interested. Mervyn