Mervyn Mitton

Scott - how did you get it off the guard in the top picture - arm wrestling ?

Alex - how fortunate you are to have inherited such lovely old photographs. I am presuming that this is the original - and not a later copy ? If original then it is worth a great deal of money - perhaps as much as a one thousand pounds, or more, - however, I am only guessing and suggest you take it to Sotheby's or, Christies. Obvious precautions, gentle handling and NO sun ! I counted 6 Generals' dress belts and we are looking at the Mutiny. The old expression applies - Thankyou for sharing - most originals of this period are guarded in museums.

Hi - Benny. I always find it a pleasure to look at someone's collection where the research has been carried out - and the items carefully selected for quality. Yours is high up in my estimation and I am looking forward to seeing more of these incredible silver plates.

Thanks Ed. A very useful listing and saves a lot of work when having to look things-up. With so many old Forces there is room for many more collectors in this field. Police have always been the 'poor' relative - the public seem to find the Military more interesting.

Great photo, Stuart. I'm going to follow Craig's suggestion and post on the Lounge. Just re-post this - it is a reminder of times long past. I first went to Melbourne in 1949.

First time I've seen one in the original case. Also, seeing it on the complete dummy with the full uniform is very informative.

Having these listings is valuable information to both historians and medal collectors. Thankyou Chris for taking the time to reasearch - and indeed type it all out. The M/cycle corps served in East Africa - the bicycles proved inadequate and they imported some 400 B.S.A's from England.

Hello - Kevin. This is a very interesting photograph - all previous photos of the 1926 Strike show the new Special Constables carrying standard truncheons - obviously out of stores. My Father was such a SC and I still have the lovely teak truncheon that he was given - these have been quickly turned on a lathe. Perhaps towards the end of the strike when they were short of supplies ? Do the arm bands look like originals ? On the Inspector's left sleeve - it looks like a star - is it the St. John's qualification badge ?

Darrell - unless in hospital or, KIA - I think you can assume that he would have been with his Regt. at all of their engagements. Manpower was at a premium and they were taking the lightly injured from hospitals and sick bays. A very nice medal to a good Regular unit - they have gone up steeply in the past 18 months - people are beginning to realise the numbers are quite small and therefore they are good investments.

Hi - Darrell. I must have missed your original post. The 90th. were sent to the Cape in 1878 and were on the Frontier during the Kaffrarian War - the Ninth - in that year. Under the command of Sir Evelyn Wood VC, they were sent overland from King William's Town into Natal - where he commanded the third column that was in the North of the Province. This was the only succesful one , as One column was destroyed at Isandlawana and the second was kept under siege for four months at Eshowe. Sir Evelyn set-up his base camp at Kambula - on top of a fairly steep hill. However, he set out with part of his Force to punish the tribesmen at Hlobane. This was about 25 miles away and is a hill over 4 miles long - it is almost pure iron and it is estimated that it could supply the World for over 20 years. Whilst on the slopes they looked East and could see an Impi of 20,000 Zulu warriors advancing at a jog trot. They advanced very quickly and many of our men were cut-off. They escaped - with difficuly at the western end and descended a number of 6 foot drops - known as Erzugayen. Many awards were won in this retreat. The following day the Impi attacked the fortified position on top of Kambula - and were soundly beaten as we fought from defensive breastworks. It was our first major success in the Zulu War. The 90th later joined the 5000 men for the final Battle at Ulundi - the King's stronghold. We formed a square and although they had problems our superior firepower won.

Thankyou for showing the other views - the pistol fits in beautifully. I asked about the box - which is nicely made. Would it have been a presentation gift with the book inside ? With your turret you could defend the front door with the pistol.....

Hi - Ed. This is where we are all going to learn something. I don't think this is an American item - it looks like a British pattern truncheon prior to about 1960 - they started to use Rosewood then. Looking at the remains of the strap, the stitching is in the same style as British and the length was usually 17" (46cm) but this could vary slightly. The question is - did a US Force have these made locally for use as Nightsticks - or, did they import from the UK for the same purpose ? The alternative must be - is it a souvenir someone has bought on a holiday and brought over ? As I say we will all learn something from this - Ed, are there any markings or, stampings anywhere on the body. Look around the head. Mervyn

Larry - an interesting concept, but not one that I fully agree with - I think it is a distortion of history. Problems tend to arise in the future when the people have gone who made these superimposed photos - and then GMIC will have battles discussing them.... What I did find disturbing were the shots of the unwashed - with rifles etc. - marching through modern civil scenes. With the increasing instability in the World, these are not so far fetched !

Robin - looks very elegant on the table. I like the look of this room - your alcove with the German officers' items is nicely under-stated. Please do a top of the box on the table - looks to be an interesting mix of wood and stone ?

Thanks Tony - I didn't think they varied.

That'll do ! Make a decision and be prepared to defend it to the death......

Hi - Mike. The construction and decoration showed that it was an item for sale - but copied from the military. I have never seen the advert. you mention.

Will - this is 'living' history and it is an interesting and important story. Who knows what might have happened if the Rebellion had been succesful ? Certainly, the 3rd. Boer War. The Industrial Revoloution shows clearly in this story - in 1902 it was horses. However, in 1914 m/vehicles gave them the speed to out manouevre him. The Rebellion was heavily centred in the Eastern Cape - particularly the area around Carnarvon. Some years ago I bought the DSO, OBE group to the Colonel of the Carnarvon Commando. (His name escapes me for the moment). He won his DSO in South West Africa - however, his OBE had the papers marked secret. We eventually established it was for helping to put down the troubles. He was Afrikaans. TThis has been a very worthwhile posting.

Ian - Top Hats to Helmets took place from the 1860's onwards - and many provincial Forces were slow to change. Your first date is too early, the second still in a possible change period - however, the third would be correct. Find his name and you will know who owned the helmet.

Ed - do you think it might be from that dreadful period in the 60's/70's when they used those plastic tape machines to do names ? Well made badge, but the gap has to be for a reason. General Question - do any of our members have a 'normal' holiday or, is the entire time spent 'looting' the local shops ? (p.s. I ask out of curiousity - I do exactly the same..........)

Two interesting cuttings to add to this thread. Since we have added so many pieces I understand that many referrels are made from schools and also, two universities. Some of these are through our GMIC and also from Google, who pick-up so much material from our site. The first of the cuttings refers to the annual Reed Dance - held in front of King Zwelethini and other dignitaries. 26,000 performed this year, wearing traditional costume for an unmarried maiden. Each holds a long reed and these are presented to the King as a sign of respect and of their chastity. There are many spectators - with Zulu men mostly in traditional dress - so, it is a very spectaculaer event. The second cutting shows an old Zulu lady ( Zulu - GOGO or Grandmother. A term of affection and respect) being assisted by two younger family members. I am showing this because it illustrates the traditional Zulu Rondavel still being lived-in. The walls are covered with mud, around a wooden skeleton made from branches. The outer covering sets very hard - however, in heavy rain they can disintergrate. Much nicer then the Masai in East Africa, who use cowdung and you can smell the village from a long distance.

I suppose that in that period of change-over from RFC to RAF there were a number of designs. I must say that this is the first time I have seen one -good addition ,Will. Now you'll have to find the rest of the uniform....

A very nice helmet Ian. Were there many different Chief Constable's at that mid-Victorian period ? You might be able to 'pin' it down.

No - just plain old 'VD"