Mervyn Mitton

Congratulations Brian - this post has exceeded 17000 ! Must make it one of the most visited. After a while they seem to get a life of their own and just keep multiplying - I think new members see the numbers and feel they should visit. I've noticed this with the Zulu post. Anyway - well done and keep finding things......... Mervyn

Hi - Alf. I would certainly recommend the British War Museum - on the South bank of the Thames. Any taxi can take you. The Tower of London is always of interest. Try and buy a copy of 'The Antiques Trade Gazette' - they sell it on the bigger news kiosks - that will give you current auctions and fairs. Gray's Antique Market - just off Regent St. and alongside Bond St. tube - I think it is Gray St., is well worth a visit - lots of small stands selling all sorts of good things. Many dealers have moved from central London because of the rents - however, the area around the Angel tube station in Islington is worth a walk around. Also, there is a big market at Camden Lock at weekends. Check on this and times. That should keep you busy for a week and I'm sure you will get many other suggestions. Have a great trip and tell us what you find. Mervyn

Stuart this is why the old prints are valuable historical commentaries. George 3rd. was always known as 'The Farmer or, Farmer George' - he was happiest when on the land and was known to work alongside his men. The ref. to Farmer's Son - is to show that it is the prince Regent Your latest print is even more interesting. The reference to Thone in Danger - is due to the fat little woman behind the curtain. This is Mrs. FitzHerbert who the Prince morganaticaly married in secret. The Heir cannot marry without Parliament's permission - and not to a commoner. His form of marriage was to prevent any claim to the throne - however, it made him a bigamist. The figure in uniform is the Duke of Wellington and he is holding the Great Sword of State. The Dof W was the heriditary High Constable of England - and it is in this capacity that he is warning George of the dangerous act he has committed. There were only two heriditary High Constables - one for England and the one for Ireland - who was the Duke of Leinster. I have his staff of office in my remaining collection.

Hi - Windu. Should any member wish to start their own Kris armoury, they now have all the info. - interesting. What I have noticed - and your illustration on Page 1 shows it clearly with the different means of carrying a Kris - is how the Indonesian Islands moved away from the other South East Asian Countries. Obviously Malaya uses the Kris - but, Thailand,Burma and most of the other areas used a longer weapon - which was usually carried down the small of the back for an easy 'sweep' down. I wonder why - do you think it has anything to do with the fact that both are Muslim countries ? In fact Indonesia is the largest Muslim group in the World.

Stuart - two very descriptive old prints. As Odulf says - ' you can't miss Wellington's profile'. The second one - the fat tailor looks like George 4th and the figure on his right - could that be the D of W again ? G4th was King from 1820 to 1830, but from 1812 to 1820 was the prince Regent as acting King. I hope more members will add to this interesting post - history as it was enacted in those early days !

Thankyou Stuart - we'll have a look and see if it is a big job ? Mervyn

Spaz - what a pity if she falls out of the window now - you will be at least a suspect. This is a valuable medal - if untouched - and I really feel it is unwise for her to take it to an old age home. I regret saying this, however, there are many unscrupulous people who hang around these homes trying to buy things cheaply. The Bank would be safest - perhaps you could offer to hold-it for her and give a letter stating clearly that it is her property ?

Hi - Greg. Your blog is going well - although I missed the one about an earthquake - where are you living - Hawaii ? I hope that some of these photos you are taking are going to appear in the Photo Competition ? We have used the new logo on both the plaques and the Certificate of Merit. I will be sending you a Certificate - however, if you want one of the expensive plaques - you must win-it ! Mervyn

When Nick first told us a few weeks ago that he was setting up a special Blog for GMIC members - I must be honest and say my first thoughts were - ' whatever for - we have the Forum' for that purpose' Well, I've thought it over, I've read the blogs from other members and have enjoyed them - and now I agree with him, that this gives us a freedom of expression that is not available on the open Forums. Thinking of a subject has been difficult - but, I do wish to support Nick - he runs the backbone of this special Forum almost singlehanded - the Mods. are mainly his watchdogs and committee. I would like to make it clear to anyone who does read this, that it is new to me. I have made a few pages of notes with regard to early memories - but, that's it ! I am - like many of our members - a published author in the non.fiction World and this does give me an advantage as I enjoy the expressiveness of English and it's descriptive abilities. However, as with my posts on GMIC I write as I go along - I rarely do a lot of research - therefore, I will have the odd spelling mistake - or, go off track. As I write memories will come back so, I may well go off at a tangent to explain a point. Bear with me - you may even find this old history interesting ? THE PLOT THICKENS...... So, my heading says 'Memories of World War 2 ' . Your first reaction could well be - but, it's all been done before - everbody and his dog have written-up the battles - the regiments - the heroes. Well, that is what GMIC is all about, so at least I know I will have knowledgeable readers. Well, probably all one or, two of you ? There is one important detail you have missed - in 2 months I will hit the distinguished old age of 75 ! I was born in December 1936 - and am therefore in a unique position of being able to cover ' my bit of the War ' from the perspective of a small boy who lived in London for the entire 5 years of WW2. (i AM PAUSING AT THIS POINT TO SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE ME TO CONTINUE. i THOUGHT AT WEEKLY INTERVALS ? DON'T BE FRIGHTENED OF TELLING ME TO B........ OFF ! ALSO , I HOPE IT WILL GIVE MANY MORE MEMBERS THOUGHTS OF THEIR OWN BLOG - 2ND BUTTON AT TOP)

INTRODUCTION : When Nick first mentioned that he was setting up a Blog for members to post personal militaria related material - I thought - 'whatever for - this is what GMIC does every day'. Well, I've given it serious consideration - have read other contributions, which I enjoyed, and have now decided on a subject. I am wondering if it will be interesting enough for members to want to visit regularly - however, like all things in life - if you don't make an effort - you will never know. M

Michael - it just shows how a little research can be worthwhile. You've turned-up a most interesting history.

Hello Bill - welcome to the Forum and we will hope that you will become an active member. Please let us know how your friend gets on with his research - perhaps he could take a few more pictures of the blade and particularly, where it joins the hilt. Best wishes Mervyn

Clive - a nice group. I've deleted the double post - but can't see that you have made a spelling mistake on his name ? I'm sure you will have replies from some of our members who enjoy research. Mervyn

This is a 1914 sawback bayonet for the Schmidt Rubin - Swiss standard equipment . One of the biggest bayonets, I am showing it as it could easily have been used for the purposes of the British Pioneer Sword.

For comparison - this is the Prussian sawback sword - from about the same period.

Reverse markings

Name and date

The British have had several patterns of sawback bayonets - however, this is the only sword. Carried by the Pioneers it was adopted in 1856 and was in use for quite a short period - into the early years of the 20th. Century. The purpose for the sword was two fold - it was obviously a weapon - but, with a the strong blade the sawback functioned as an effective saw. This was of particular use when cutting brush down to allow a good field of fire and also, for clearing bivouac areas. The blade is just over 22 inches in length (55cm). This is a Wilkinson made version and - as the stampings show - was issued in August 1895. The markings on the reverse show two Inspection stamps. 'WD' and the Broad Arrow and finally, a large X which shows it was officially sold out of service. Unfortunately, the leather scabbard, with it's brass fittings has gone missing with time. This is quite common - leather scabbards are very vulnerable when the sword is being sheathed - if not held straight, the chances are the blade will hole the leather.

Frank - a really great set of pictures - and thankyou for letting me see them. I hope you will post them on the Canadian section - the ones with Air Marshall Bishop are important. In fact - if you ever have any spare time, a write-up on him and how he was awarded the VC would make one of our Mods' Recommendations. I am sincerely hoping that you are going to enter many - many photos for the competition ? Like for Police, you will be one of the few with access to rare materia. Very best wishes Mervyn

Mike that is quite amazing - so, it confirms that there was a larger one - or does it, perhaps they made one for each year. They seem to be identical, apart from the spears behind the shields on mine. These co-incidences always surprise me - one happened today. I had posted under Awards on our section an Officer's Decoration with Edward 7th. Cypher. There was a name on the reverse of the box - however, he wouldn't have been entitled to such an early and discontinued award. Today - his Granddaughter joined the Forum ! I was really thrilled that we were able to be of help. Mervyn

The medal clearly shows that it was for service in Eritrea - and not Ethiopia. The Roman Fasces are on both sides - these were carried in front of Roman magistrates and showed that he had the right to order floggings (the rods) - with the axe , it meant the right to order execution. The Italians used to have medals at State level and at Regimental level - this is for the latter.

Does this mean 'Fight with fire' ? Quite interesting that there is an Askari in the background - I thought at first it was for fire fighting - however, they are holding rifles.

Finally, the few Italian badges and a medal that I mentioned. I must be honest and say that I wouldn't consider these worth posting on the Italian Forum - however, as part of my 'odds' section I think thy're OK.

I did say 'odds and sods'. This is quite a good quality 1887 Queen Victoria Jubilee medallion - the Golden (50th) Anniversary. This would have been intended as a necklace - but, more likely for a Gentleman's watch fob to show loyalty.

I think it is enamel on copper.