Mervyn Mitton

Schmidt - I fully agree with Dave - a pair of locally made cufflinks, sold as souvenirs to unsuspecting young servicemen. There was a big trade in these items - and the Egyptians thought the War was a great idea to boost their trade. Daggers, jewellery - even cushion covers with Regt. Insignia. These were for British and Commonwealth troops - however, don't forget they were also selling to the Afrika Korps and then it was in German - very hardworking are our Egyptian craftsmen ( and of course, their counterparts in the other Arab Countries.)

Dan - try one of those ultra violet lights - or, perhaps an infra-red ? A good camera shop should be able to help.

jf42 - now you point it out he is a mess. Tie not straight - beret at an angle - let's put him on a charge ?

I will defer to Graham and Mike on questions of uniform - however, I have to agree with Rick and say that I am not convinced it is RA. I agree with post war with the tie - but the badge ?

Achern - welcome to GMIC. I see that you have had some lengthy posts on these elsewhere and it will be interesting to see if our members can add anything. Firstly, this seems to be for an Admiral of the Fleet - this is the equivalent of a Field Marshall or, an Air Chief Marshall. The rank is so senior that there is no way the officer would wear a King's Crown with an E II R cypher. I can only suggest that at some time a collector has added the cypher ? I will be very happy to be proved wrong. Do you have only the one board ?

Ed - congratulations on starting such an interesting post - it was exactly what we all had in mind for this World policing section. The variations in equipment, uniforms and machines gives us comparison points. COME-ON EVERYONE - TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR LOCAL POLICE. (We'll arrange food parcels to you !) Going back to the pictures - I'm sorry to admit that the British Police look the untidiest and were mostly overweight....

Jean-Paul - I saw nothing in our local papers about these awards - and yet you spotted it in Canada ! Thankyou for posting - as Chris says the South African police does not have a good press. The changeover took place in 1994 and I never thought it possible that an organised and disciplined force could deteriorate so quickly. However, in any Force there are good and bad - and the article proves that there are still members prepared to act like proper Police Officers.

Paul - I wouldn't say that I was terribly happy with the back stitching - machines are usually more even. However, they are usually covered with the black backing. The front is rather pronounced with the Crown and Pearls and I am wondering if it is one from the Indian factories - but, made for the RAF stationed there in WW2 ? I think we need a few more opinions.

Robin - what are the last Battle Honours on your two lovely Tchapka plates - I can't make out the Crowns ? You have built-up a lovely Lancer collection. Mervyn

I've never seen one with both bars - however, the conflicts were in the same period, so at least some ships had to have been at both locations. You do have to wonder where we managed to find the numbers of troops and ships that were needed ? The 1879 Zulu War was the same - the larger conflict going on at the same time was the Afghan Campaign - and, we are still there losing lives, I think it is the 4th Campaign since the 1830's. Mervyn

That series showed the training for the dogs - mostly Beagles. I thought they were brilliant - but then when you've seen Police dogs in action you realise just how intelligent dogs are. Those spices sound good - I wonder if they sell them in S.A. - we have a lot of German people living here - I shall enquire , diligently......... Mervyn

Darrell - you were fortunate to find one of these , they are rare. The China Bar brings a higher price then the Boer War - however, both are expensive. I had one as part of a four family member group - he had been the Grandfather and was a Captain for the same shipping company - can't remember his ship now. He had the Boer War clasp and had kept a private log - which gave great detail. His ship brought the N.S.W. Lancers to Sth. Africa. The Line became defunct but I understand started again a few years ago with two ships. They were always noted for their high quality of service and only carried about 100 passengers.

I think there has to be a mistake - 40 pounds $65 maximum. But then I've never trusted ebay - even though I have the best selling address for it - Africa 1 - haven't used it for over ten years though.

Congratulations Darrell - a superb post, with your usual great attention to research and detail. I found the account of the skirmishes most interesting - particularly as they are in a similar pattern to the problems of the 1870's when the Mounted Police were first formed. Like South Africa these early localised disputes become overlooked and I found your account concerns something of which I knew very little. Mervyn

Oh - yes Tony ! and what exactly was in that parcel that got him so excited ? I've seen the series of programmes on Aust.Customs - I think they must be some of the toughest in the World.

Brian - how unusual to have a woodworking medal - boxed and well cast. Have you checked that he didn't have any war service ? I ask because the picture shows his old waistcoat pocket watch in the top pocket and suspended from the lapel button hole. There is a Cross attached - which with a waistcoat would have hung below the centre button - for people on war service this Cross was often a gift from wives or, sweethearts ?

Hi - Shams - Hope you are well ? Two very interesting photographs - Edward 7th. from the Crown. I can't help you with the cuffs - however, I would like to comment on the photos to see if any members agree with me. The top photo appears to be a General - the Austrian frogging on his uniform is quite superb - and I am not sure when I last saw such an elaborate cuff. What I did find strange was the the medals are 'buried' under the cross frogging - I would have thought the medals would have been over this ? His Shabraque - which you can see in the lower picture - is this a Regimental or, a General's pattern ? The other seated officer could perhaps be the Regt. Colonel - only the man on the right has a general officer's mameluke sword. Do you have any photos of early Police that you could post on our Police Forum ? Best wishes Mervyn.

A very nice set - and particularly attractive as they have been 'Done in the Field'. You are right when you say his details are excellent - but, his faces not so good. However, the test of a personal drawing is - would you recognise the person if you were to meet. I would say Yes ! There are strong characters and personalties shown here - and these features shine through. I must say that my favourites are the Royal Flying Corps officer - and, the Padre. Thankyou for taking the time to post them. Mervyn

Close-up of the iDondo bead.

This is also an important piece of regalia often worn by the warriors'. The Zulu name is 'iDondo' - always a hand cast and shaped brass bead. They had great value in Zulu society and six to eight could be used to buy a bride ! They were normally worn on a hide 'string'of from 1 to 3 beads. However, this could vary and if you were rich or, important enough then examples of a whole string are known. The Zulu smiths were very good with brass and iron - however, at one time they brought silversmiths from Matabeland (in the old Rhodesia.) King Shaka's (1816-1824) sangoma (witch doctor) warned they would bring 'bad luck' - so, he had them executed. Very bad luck for them ! Worn probably by an Induna - or, Chief - the poor quality of the beads surrounding it show age and neglect. However, it is the brass bead that has meaning and quite high value.

Close-up of the cartridge.

The snuff was kept in the cartridge. Usually a mixture of native tobacco and dagga (Hemp or, Marijuana)

The reverse.

I would normally post these two items on Helen's general Zulu section - however, they have a military connection and were for warriors. Firstly a very rare Zulu snuff container. This is entirely made from an antelope's horn - apart from the Mauser cartridge case. The shape meant that it could be carried in the warrior's thick hair - the alternate being a piece of handwoven thread to hang it around the neck. This example was probably carried in both ways as there is some damage to the carving on the top piece. Whilst they did occasionally make use of a cartridge case for decoration - and to hold the snuff - they are rare. Our last two examples went to the Ulundi Museum in Nthn. KwaZulu Natal. Datewise - around the 1900's.

Zob123 - thankyou for your insightful comments. I am now - in my own mind at least - fairly certain that they are for the 2nd Bn. of the RNL. There has been some incredible info. found to help support this view - although, as we all know, you must always keep an open mind. British involvement in East Africa was really from 1916 and the 1st. Bns. Colour has the dates 1916-18 - this is still hanging in the now, Harare Cathedral and app. in very poor condituon. One has to remember that the old Rhodesia - and indeed still in the present Zimbabwe - it is two main tribes - the Mashona and the Matabele. Mashonaland ended up with Salisbury (now Harare) as it's main centre and Matabeland had Bulawayo. This was the origin of the two separate Bn's. - Mashona - 1st. Bn. - Matabele - 2nd. Bn. The two tribes do not get on well - the Matabele are first cousins to the Zulus and the first thing Mugabe did in 1980 was to send to Bulawayo his Nth. Korean trained troops and they killed nearly 30,000 Matabele. Leigh - thankyou for posting that costing - amazing that you found it's location. I am trying to work out how the Queen Mother presented the Colour in 1953 - from previous posts I understood the Bn's. were disbanded immed. post WW1 and that the Colours were presented to the Govt. in 1925 ? Perhaps there was an earlier restoration in 1953 ? Anyway, many thanks. I still have the Colours - they are so rare to come-on the open market that I am nervous of making a mistake and have them going into the Auction circuit. This would certainly lead to damage as they are quite frail.