Mervyn Mitton

The reverse showing Brittania

The King's Head

This is an unusual medallion - silver and with marks I can't decipher, but may be US - this commemorates the period of time that Wiliam 3rd - of Holland - sat on the British Throne with his partner Queen Mary. The only time a joint Monarchy has existed in Britain. I can't work out why it was struck - perhaps it was part of a set commemorating British Kings and Queens ? I think the frosting on the King's head has been beautifully worked. Any help appreciated. Mervyn

James a very interesting collection. I wonder if we could open it fully under the Civil and Military Awards ?

Andrew - firstly, Congratulations on your new book - excellent research. I will mention it on Badges and do a review under Books - will take a few days. For the shoulder flashes - didn't the SAR identify themselves. However, it could well be one of the other multiple Railways that used to exist - has a list ever been published naming them all ? Mervyn

Captain Albert - Nick may be considering awarding Chairman's Certificates for special articles. He will no doubt post about this. Meanwhile, Brian and I will welcome any contributions from you with a British interest. Mervyn

I love the wording on the reverse - we were always taught that GOD was British and looked after us ! How things have changed.......

There has been some problems with the software - I have deleted photos that wouldn't show and will post them all in this section. Re-reading the last section I may have given the impression that we all walked around like shaking jellyfish - this would not be correct. The whole business of the War - from my point of view as a small boy growing-up, was quite surreal. I had no memories of times before these - so, strange as it may seem - these were part of my life. I think it would be true to say that everyone was worried - but life has to go on - and we , as British people, had a determination to survive and maintain our way of life. Perhaps that sounds a strange thing to say for a 7 year old boy - but we knew what was involved - we knew our heritage - and at that time in our history, we were united populations standing behind our King and Mr. Churchill. Sometimes it takes a time of great peril and danger to cause a great Country to come together. I think - even with hindsight - that this was such a time. We all felt it and yet 67 years later I find it difficult to describe why we had these feelings. This is a V2 rocket - shown at the Imperial War Museum in London Another view of the rocket with details This map shows the central area of London. You will see the rriver Thames, the central area and suburbs. Lewisham will be seen and just above and to the right - Blackheath where I lived ' alt='' class='ipsImage' > Each of the yellow bursts represents a V2 explosion. You will find the HAM in Lewisham - where I lived is buried under the explosions ! ' alt='' class='ipsImage' > Finally, this map shows a much larger view of the London area. Was it by accident that the City and inner suburbs had the worst of the Rockets ?

Hi - Nightbreak - welcome to GMIC. Your posts are quite fascinating and would seem to have brought a conclusion to this mystery. As I understand your description - when the medals were fully mounted the Efficiency box was left empty . The new owner then used it for the 1909 Decoration as they are both oval and the Dec. would have fitted. Seems very logical and does explain things. I do hope you will continue as an active member - your collection will be of interest to our members and very suitable for the main medal forum. Please let Brian or, myself know if we can be of any help. Mervyn

Good striking. I'm not sure if the 'action' is the blowing up of L'Orient or, a general action. Paul, what do you think ?

Ralstona - was this the unit created by Jubb Pasha ? I would say this must be a rare item and quite valuable - particularly with the badges in place. The wool is astrakhan - which is an unborn sheep. A very expensive fur. I hope someone can identify the rank ?

JeanPaul - there was a post on the 24 Sept. on these medals - doesn't matter, an interesting set.

.COMMENTS How the World has changed from these early days of WW2. Blitzkreig in 1940 - V1 Rockets in 1944 and V2 Rockets in late 1944 . Today we are so used to modern remote controlled weaponry - Tomahawk Cruise Missiles can fly hundreds of miles and land within a few metres of their targets The point I am making is that we had suffered 4 1/2 years of intensive bombing - damage that was quite unbelievable - and deaths by the tens of thousands. This was followed from June 1944 by the V1 rockets - known to everyone as Buzz Bombs. We have already covered how their Buzz signaled motion - when that stopped you had about a minute before it landed. This in itself was problematic - high winds, not as much fuel , glidepath - all changed directions and distance. When it stopped we ran for the nearest shelters. This was to change even more drastically from September 1944. British Intelligence had known about the development of the V2 at Peenemunde and the RAF had made several daring bombing raids. However, the first ones landed as a complete horror surprise. This was war on a different level - and, we - in London - were very frightened. WAS THIS THE END ? The problem with the V2 was that it was fired vertically - ascended to a height of some 60 miles and came straight down at over 2000 miles per hour (2800 kms). It carried a ton of high explosive and you had no warning at all. London was the main target - again they were primarily being aimed at the London Docks - which stretched for miles along the River Thames. However, as with the V1 they had primitive - by today's standards - steering, and could land in an area of some ten miles from where they were aimed. One never knew when a V2 would hit - we all slept in shelters again - but , if one hit you didn't have much chance. Mordern Road was hit at each end - but at different times. The damage was very bad and the first time my Father was involved. I can't rmember what day it was - probably a weekend - I do remember we were having a sandwich for lunch - without warning there was an explosion which stunned us. Windows broke and we could hear crashing everywhere - I was in total shock. My Father rushed off to try and help and was gone for some two hours. The rocket had landed near the end of Mordern Road - near to the remains of the Paragon, which I mentioned in an earlier posting. Workmen had been working almost exactly where it came down - I think they were repairing a water main - damaged in a previous attack. There were quite a number and nearly all were killed. I shall never forget my Father coming back in a state of total shock and covered in blood - this was from trying to dig out bodies. He would never tell me about the scene. Later , we were hit by one at the other end of the Road - at night - so, casualties were not as bad - however, I think some people were killed. All security and school activities were curtailed and the streets became even more empty of traffic. Our problem was that Blackheath was at the right distance and angle for overshoots from the dock attacks. BALANCE OF BLOG AND PHOTOS IN 10 - PART 2

Mark - you can clearly see the pitting which occured when it was buried. I wonder under what circumstances it became 'lost'. Perhaps to hide it during a retreat - or, more probably the debris from a shell burst ? We will probably never know - however, this is an excellent subject - and leaves it wide open for old weaponry found anywhere in the World. We must huope other members will show their pieces.

I suspect that Peter is right - either they got worried abou the publicity - or, it was a youngster and the parents returned it. However, what a despicable thing to do - this medal is proud memory for Portsmouth of a very brave man.

This set of silver shooting spoons has just been re-mounted - they had been forgotten on a back shelf. They are very early Rhodesian and are rare - they date between 1900 and about 1914. Remeber the first Pioneer Column only went into Rhodesia in 1890 ! They are mostly for a town called Gwelo - which must have had a small population. All were made in Birmingham , UK and most are for women shooting contestans. You will see early women shottists in the enamel. Would any other members like to add to shooting trophies ?

Mark - welcome back.

1st. VB (Volunteer Battalion) North Staffs. Regiment

Proof Mark and owner's initials " W F G "

Maker's Name - Hobson and Sons. With Royal arms above

The Crown is of the late Victorian type that carried over to Edward 7. The initials look like his.

The hilt and Guard

Staffordshire was big enough to be able to support recruiting for two Regiments - the North and South Staffordshire Regts. This one is for the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the North Staffs and has the officer's initials above the forte. I am hoping that one of our fundis (Zulu word for expert) will be able to find him on a roll. I think this will date to around the Boer War (1899-1900) and they were present in South Africa - but not sure if this Vol. Bn. was with them. One question that has vexed me - is why are they carrying what appears to be an Artillery pattern - I look forward to someone telling me it was a Regt. fad ?

This is the blade engraving. I am reminded of a 'fouled anchor' - but that might just be my imagination ?

The pommel