Mervyn Mitton

Tracy - pleased to see you are still ' hanging in there' . Don't forget we are always here to help you. Post under British Badges. These are some interesting little photos. I think HMAS Perth was a light cruiser - we must hope some one can look it up. The burning shape looks like part of an aircraft - and the Oerlikon quick firing guns might have been responsible ? The other two pictures will be of interest to our German members. Under Brit. Badges - your original post - I have added a miniature Fairburn Sykes fighting knife. First one I have seen. Best wishes. Mervyn

Muckaroon - a great find. The one of the V1 rocket is particularly interesting - still in good condition. However, they have taken off the one ton warhead. Some of the Squadrons with Polish links may like to see these ? Mervyn

The reverse with pin http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-11171500-1332163389.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

I recently posted on Brit. Medals a group - under 'Superb group.....' This came-in with a variety of small items. Between the wars he had been a mounted constable with Essex - for WW2 we are not sure what he did. However, amongst these items was this miniature lapel pin - looks like a Fairburn-Sykes - althought he grip has been set in polished stones. I have never seen a model Fairburn-Sykes and coming at the same time as this Middle East Commando dagger, it would seem that they used these for identification. I hope we can take these posts to a conclusion. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-28495300-1332163267.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

CHAPTER 2 ---------------- Sir Thomas Hills was enjoying breakfast with his wife. The fire was burning well and for a day in late November 1796, the sky was clear - just a heavy frost on the ground. He was reading the Times newspaper for the day earlier - it having been brought by the morning coach as it passed through Little Wells. They were both concerned about how Britain's Royal Navy was doing in the war against France and Spain. British troops were also in action - but, mainly in the West Indian Islands. The Hills family had owned the Manor and it's enormous area of land for over four hundred years and had held the hereditary title of 'Sir' through the purchase of a Baronetcy in the days of King James the 1st. Not only was Sir Thomas the Squire of this enormous holding - which included a total of four villages - he was also the Seniort Magistrate extending into other areas around. Duties that he took very seriously. Little Wells- was the main village - being on the road for travel between Dover and London. The other three villages in his ownership were - Wells on the Hill - 350 residents ; Lower Wells - 290 residents and Wells Magna. This was the largest village and being on the River Meade, had a larger population with it's fishermen - some 500 villagers in all. Little Wells had about 400 people. Strangely, the Church at Little Wells housed the Vicar - Revd. Mark Dolton. The others also were Parishes in their own right and had small churches - but the Reverend conducted the Services for all four. There was a reason for this - Sir Thomas' Father was no lover of the Church and had decided one vicar was enough to deal with. However, they were individual Parishes and therefore, each had it's own Parish Constable. For Wells on the Hill - Constable Hilton ; for Lower Wells - Constable Smith. They were both in their late forties and whilst willing, were not as active as they should have been. Wells Magna was a different matter. Sir Thomas had picked a younger and more active man - and this was needed with the larger population and the smuggling carried out by the fishermen. Constable Henry Green was only 26 years of age and a big and powerful man. He knew that he had the support of the Squire and kept a strong watch over his area. Sir Thomas himself, was only 25 years of age and had been married seven years. He and his wife had two healthy children - George, now 6 years and the little daughter, Emily - 4 years old. He was a great supporter of King George 3rd. - who had been on the Throne since 1760. However, the King had an ailment that affected his brain and was not always stable. He was fine at this time and his people thought highly of him - he was known as Farmer George. Being from an aristocratic background , Sir Thomas had the right of entry to the King's Levees and would attend as often as he could. The Prince of Wales had established his own Court at Carlton House and a wise courtier made a point of calling on him as well. Seeing that Thomas had finished , his wife rang the small silver bell and the Butler , Macleod came-in immediately. Time to get the day going. Macleod had been with the family over twenty years and had a staff of 43 house servants - of different talents - to maintain the Manor. Many of the Estate farms were let out to tenant farmers - but, there were another 270 labourers on the Manor Farms that were directly employed. 'Sir' - announced Macleod - 'Constable Green has brought two prisoners for judgement'. This was fairly unusual - the Manor had one of the outbuildings converted to serve as a Courtroom and where longer trials could be heard. For shorter trials each village had a room next to the Constables' houses. 'What is the offence ?' Sir Thomas asked. 'I'm not sure Sir - however, the Constable has two of his Bailiffs to hold them'. 'Alright - have them put in the cell , and warn the Head Gamkeeper that two of his men should stand to help.' Sir Thomas went out to speak to Constable Green and was shocked to hear that the two men had been drunk the previous evening and had attacked a passing foot traveller. They had killed him with a broken bottle. Deaths were not a common happening and were outside the jurisdiction of a Magistrate. He would have to hold a hearing and then remand the two prisoners to the Fleet Prison in London. They would be tried in London and no doubt hanged. Attending to this took the remainder of the morning and a decision had to be ,made for the escort of the prisoners to London. He finally decided that a small waggon from the Manor would convey them and return the Constable and his Bailiffs the following day. They were given sufficient money for the night and he then signed the Commital documents made out by his clerk. The remainder of the afternoon - after a light lunch - was spent with the High Steward going through financial matters. Everything was well and very little was owed by the tenantry. One of the customs that he - and his wife, Alice - liked to follow when they were at the Manor was a late afternoon horseride. The Manor was surrounded with over 15 acres of the Home Park and this was specially set out to include the lovely countryside and views. However, like everything in their lives there was great formality. Lady Hills was accompanied by her Lady companion and three grooms followed the couple. They were gently cantering down one of the rides when Sir Thomas saw a figure in the bushes some distance to the right - the side that the village of Little Wells stood. He gestured to his grooms and two of them rode around the figure to block escape. When he was nearer, the figure stood and was recognised as young Matt Tiller - the new Petty Constable for the village.. 'Hello Matt - are you on duty?' asked the Squire. ' Well, yes Sir - in a manner of speaking. I heard that a party of men from the village were going to see if they could snare a deer on your estate - I thought I should come and have a look ' 'Well done Matt - that's the action we need. Did you have any idea where they would go ?' 'No Sir - they were overheard talking about the forest area below the Home Park - but, I wasn't sure which side.' This spurred Sir Thomas into action. 'Alice - you return to the Manor with Lady Violet - Mr. Ives - send one of the grooms as escort and alert the Chief Gamekeeper to take 20 men and come round in front of where we are now - that should cut-off their escape route.' 'Matt - get up behind me. Are you armed ?' 'Only my truncheon Sir'. Both of the grooms carried two pistols and the Squire had two heavy cavalry pistols in holsters either side of his saddle. Matt did not have a uniform - no policeman did - however, Sir Thomas liked to see them well dressed in blue coats and - from his own money - provided a single cross belt over the left shoulder.. This had a brass badge identifying the wearer as the Parish Constable of Little Wells. He was only the Petty - or, assistant to Mr. Stokes - however, there had been no time to have a new one made for him. The cross belt could also carry a sword on occasions when one was required. They waited for 30 minutes to let the Gamekeepers get into position, They then spread out into a long line - well, as long as three men could and still see each other - and then set off slowly towards the edge of the forest. As they came out of a particularly thick area of brush, they spotted a number of men ahead of them - obviously 'beating ' the forest to disturb and make the animals run. Ahead of them they could see other men holding nets to catch anything running towards them. One of the grooms had a hunting horn over his shoulder and was told to start the ' Alert'. At once the shrill notes broke the calm, the whole party ahead of them scattered and started running in the direction of the village. Too late ! The large party of mounted gamekeepers - spread in a line - started to close-in on them and they were herded together like sheep. Matt was off the Squirte's horse like lightening and with truncheon drawn ran over to the men. He looked at them closely - to get an identification fixed in his mind - and then told them they were under arrest for poaching. This was a hanging offence and some of the prisoners started crying - and one screamed. Most of the others were tougher and stayed quiet. Sir Thomas Hills - apart from being the Landowner - took charge as a Magistrate and he ordered that the men be closely guarded and brought before him in the Manor Court in one hour. He then returned to the Manor with his two grooms. Matt, being a sworn constable, was actually senior to the gamekeepers - however, he recognised his own youth and lack of experience and assisted the keepers. Altogether there were eight grown men - three boys of about twelve years of age and four dogs of a hunting type. All were taken to the cells attached to the Manor Court and at the appointed time were taken-in to stand in front of Sir Thomas. Papers had been made out formally charging them with poaching on private land. For a small Country Court - there were, of course, no Lawyers. The Magistrate's word would be final- although theoretically - they did have a right for an appeal. But these were uneducated people - most of whom could not even sign their names. Matt - as the Constable - gave evidence of what he had heard and what he saw at the scene. The Head Gamekeeper also gave his evidence. Finally, each man was allowed to speak to the Court and try to explain his actions. The Magistrate sat quietly when all had finished. He was not a hard man and did not want to invoke the death penalty - particularly since no game had been killed. Also youngsters were involved. After some ten minutes - and whilst he made notes in his register - he sat-up and warned the prisoners to listen carefully. Firstly, he allowed the three youngsters to be released - with a warning of much harsher punishment on any future occasion. He then dealt with the eight adults. Five were given two months detention with hard labour on the Estate farms. Two were ordered 24 lashes - they were obviously some of the organisers. The last was the leader - he was ordered to transportation for five years - let some other place have him. Finally the four dogs were ordered to be destroyed. Matt was then called before Sir Thomas Hills and praised for his quick thinking and immediate action. After just two weeks in the new job , this was praise indeed.

It is the 1822 Rifles pattern sword for an officer. Carnarvon Rifles must have been a Territorial unit. Queen Victoria's Crown - so, pre 1901. And in need of some TLC ! With prices - you can easily contact a good auction House in London - or, you can ask our Membership. Since prices vary in different Countries we can only give a guide - in this case I would think between 100 and 140 pounds. I hope you will put this on the GMIC sales site. We don't charge commission and you can expect to pay between 25% and 30% + VAT on this at most UK auction houses.

These items are fairly plentiful - and do not fetch very high prices. With a fitted case for the epaulettes and with the hat looking a little the worse for wear - perhaps 100 to 150 pounds on a good day. But, then you have the min. 25% commission off the 'top end'. If you are looking to sell - put it on GMIC - we don't charge a commission.

David - our own Forum has a very good auction site. Set your price with a little research and post under the For Sale. Apart from anything else you won't have to pay 25% commission. My own opinion on price would be about 250 - 300 pounds - but, check catalogues.

The first box is for one of the two Crown Jewellers - Mappin and Webb. The Crown is not British and it may have just been for an item of presentation jewellery from the Embassy - or, a visiting Royal. The second box is Spinks and Son - who are manufacturing medal makers. However, the box is cardboard and it would not be a high award.

It is a silver shooting medal - won by the man named on the reverse. They are not a medal as such - you were not allowed to wear them as part of a bar. The rifle looks like an Enfield - certainly the bayonet has the right shape.

THIS WOULD BE A TYPICAL 1930'S BRITISH MOUNTED POLICE OFFICER. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-85703200-1331916119.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-74849100-1331915252.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-48943900-1331915129.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-87788900-1331915000.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-04240400-1331914749.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-19894200-1331914604.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-99120800-1331914481.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-49820000-1331914343.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

INSIDE OF BOX LID http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-45443600-1331914204.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

A few days ago - on British Medals - I posted a lovely Group (A Superb WW1 Group). The recipient appears to have served in a number of different units - starting with the Royal Scots in the early 1900 hundreds. He then was with the Royal Horse Artillery and was present in India during the Delhi Durbar of 1911. He was with this Regiment at the start of World War 1 , but then seems to have been transferred to the Royal Artillery. Between the Wars - which is what concerns us on this Forum - he served with the Essex County Constabulary as a Mounted Police Officer. During this time he was seconded to assist the Metropolitan Police during the processions for the 1937 Coronation of King George 6th. They must have been camped in Hyde Park and with the medals were a number of items of paper work . One of them is an attractive little box - which may have held a commemorative present of some sort. I will show the various pieces - someone may find them interesting. He has a badge for the Military Police - but, at this stage we are not sure of his service. There is an arm badge - a very good example - for the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) and a really nice canvas traffic control canvas arm band - if he was still a mounted officer, this is the sort of job he would have performed. When I have his papers I can confirm all of this. STICKY LABEL ON CENTRE OF BOX http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-66138200-1331914051.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

I thought I had added a comment - apparantly not ! This sort of research Brian, is invaluable for a Forum of GMIC's status. It gives members' ideas on what is worth collecting and delves into fields away from the standard. I hope members' are taking the trouble to read - very few forums go into subject matter like this. Mervyn

Greg - you deserved it - you have done a lot for GMIC - I wear one of your designs as a lapel pin ! Mervyn

Under Post 5 there is a picture of a badge his wife wore. I meant to include these Red Cross Badges - issued by Essex. These must have been her 2nd WW service. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-68925800-1331906159.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Welcome to our Forum Chris. I agree with Mike - the Plaque looks genuine and has been nicely cased.

Hi - Peter. Have you been away, haven't seen you for a while ? Museums can lay down as many rules as they like - items that are not behind glass need preservation. This overall varnish is a thin one and has preserved the scabbard and hilt well. I don't think it would be difficult to get off. You must tell us about any weaponry in your museum ? Mervyn