Mervyn Mitton

We have said many times, that one of the purposes of GMIC is to provide ref. material for future generations. I feel that this is such a set of material and over the next few days will add to this post. There will be approx. 25 photos and biographic details for each senior officer. The book - in portfolio size, was published in 1900 by George Newnes & Co., the title is ' CELEBRETIES OF THE ARMY '. I would say it's original purpose was as an illustration of how important our Generals were - a type of propaganda. Remember, we were involved in the biggest war since the Crimea in the 1850's. I will show some of the most important people - and also some of the Commanders of Colonial units. Even over 100 years later, many of these people are still household names and our senior Generals in World War One were drawn from their ranks. However, go the other way and you find that many started service in the 1850's and 60's. Their awards and honours are more than impressive and the biographies contain a great deal of important information. I did notice that not all of it is laudatory - in fact, there are some quite sarcastic comments. *** Please note two points on the uniform medals. Firstly, at that time the VC was a blue ribbon. Secondly, when the ribbon was showing an honour it stretches across the front of the tunic. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS - OR, ADD INFORMATION - AT ANY POINT OF THE POST. IT WILL TAKE A FEW DAYS TO COMPLETE. I will start with the Commander in Chief.

Thanks for the reminder Les. I have quite a few more here that I haven't posted - also there are more at the flat in Bournemouth. I must get them sent over. I keep going onto new projects - am trying to write a history for the only Canadian tipstaff - do an article with illustrations for 'Death of the Prince Imperial' - and have just bought a 1900 book on senior officers of the Boer War - all in their full dress uniforms. I am going to start posting this on Brit.& Commonwealth Military History this afternoon. I think the truth is that us 'oldies' think we can do more then we really can ! How are you at present ? I am glad that members have agreed that we shouldn't let this Foreign Police section disappear. We did ask Nick to make it available. Dick - Sir John Waldron was Commissioner when I joined. Nice old boy - but, I don't remember him being very effective. His Deputy was a man called Starr - he used to make un-announced inspection visits on Police stations and was a very 'rough' piece of work. Everyone was terrified of him. I remember on one visit he made me walk him around my 'Beat' - at that time right in the heart of the East End. I was very polite to him ! Kev - nice old pair of handcuffs - are they Romanian made ? The shape of the aperture is slightly different to the US and UK patterns. Thanks for posting them - now, don't forget the medals..........

How I wish I could be there - maybe they will release it on disc ?

I would say Police - the pouch looks like a handcuffs one - but, perhaps ammo. Interesting the full corporal has shoes - the others look like slip-ons. Could be West Africa - can anyone make out the belt buckle ?

Most people who have an interest in the Zulu War of 1879, will know that we suffered our worst reverse at Isandlwana, then in any other colonial war that we had fought. The majority of troops killed belonged to the 24th Regiment - the First Battalion and an enhanced Company from the 2nd. Battalion. Just what did such a major loss of life mean to the area that they were recruited from ? At that time Regiments recruited from set areas laid down by the Ministry for War. The 24th. covered quite a large area and included some parts of Wales - this accounts for the high number of Welsh names, but for the majority they were of English stock. This was particularly so with the officers - most of whom came from a Country gentleman's background. The 24 th. were not a highly regarded regiment - one where the young officers' would be picked for political and aristocratic influence. Rather they were typical of the times for a County regiment that had close ties to the community. Imagine then, the distress when virtually every family in the community had members killed - or, had links to a family that did. With the officers - with so many killed at one time - again nearly every estate would have been in mourning. I would like to give some idea of the impact these deaths made in Britain and am showing just the recorded deaths from one issue of the Illustrated News. They continued on for quite a few weeks. Amongst these pictures are the two young officers who saved the Colours at Isandlawans - but who both died at Fugitive's Drift. Lts. Melville and Coghill. Also shown is Lt.Godwin-Austen - whose family member later climbed the World's 2nd highest mountain after Mt. Everest and which is named after him. War is not always the 'glorious' thing it is shown to be in films. All of these men died horrible deaths from stabbing - alone in a Country thousands of mles from home.

An interesting and frightening demonstration. I agree with you that it must have been staged - they don't seem to be wearing masks and are exposed to the smoke. Were US Forces involved in having gas attacks made on their lines - I think the attacks faded away after a certain period in the War ?

Harry - thankyou for adding this most interesting account of the last battle fought by RNR before being withdrawn. Your account makes one realise why they received a King's Colour in recognition of their service. I would also like to congratulate on the excellent article - we are so fortunate on GMIC to have so much knowledge and experience available to us. p.s. A little comment on your account of where KAR attacked their own troops by mistake - you make the point that 'young Askaris tended to fire first !' Under those circumstances - and in dense bush, I don't blame them..........

Leigh - I don't know how you manage to always have so many great ref. photos and cards. Surely though , some of our Scottish members must have sporrans they could add ? Hugh, that one from 1880 is just magnificent - must be worth a lot. I can just imagine the looks you get - it's called - 'one up-manship' - and good for you !

This was the motto on Bounemouth busses when they were short of customers. We haven't had a post on this section since December - does anyone have anything of interest ?