Mervyn Mitton

Hi - your Forum is not one that I post to - although we have some very good Japanese art in South Africa, it does not always have a Militaria background. This unusual item could fit under several headings - including Naval, since it's award in a top Regatta is uncommon in itself. My original Post is on the Lounge - with a longer description. This is a KORO or, incense burner - also known as a Censer. Many Japanese households - of a certain standing - would have KORO. They were usually much smaller and could also be of ceramics. However, the sheer size of this one - 39 inches high (100 cm) and 17 1/2 inches wide (44 cm) shows it's importance. I suspect an important household or, even a Temple. The weight is great and even though it takes apart into six pieces the middle section needs two people to lift. The condition is amazing - bearing in mind that if it was a prize in 1905, then it was probably made in the 1890's. Thanks to Rich we know that the artist was the Bronze Master EISUKE MIYAO - who worked in Yokohama. One has only to look him up on Google to see the similarity in his othe KOROS - which are fairly limited in number. All KORO seem to have a figure as the finial on the top of the lid - however, I could find nor reference to any others with a Samurai - and in such magnificent detail. The other important differencse are the four supporters for the main body - these appear to represent Sumo wrestlers but, are not wearing the costume we see on TV. We have a lot of research to do still and if any members can offer advice it will be gratefully received.

During WW2 South Africans had two VC's awarded. One to a pilot - the other Infantry. S.A. would not qualify today - in fact, not since 1960.

I would agree with you Simon. Looks like a target pistol with length of barrel. I hadn't realised the records were still available.

Rod - your illustrations can be likened to shining a torch into the 'darkness' of Australian police collecting. Well done ! In a previous post there was an illustration of an Irish helmet - and this also seemed to be worn 'back to front' and had no central vent. I can't remember exactly where it was shown, but I do remember the similarities. The helmet you say is of canvas - the central badge seems quite strange - usually the numbers are within a badge. I suppose just a local variation - as with the badgeless pith helmet. Your comment to Jack about having more room to display when he is older - from what I've seen the rooms in most new houses just seem to get smaller and smaller. Simon's question on the ball top - again a valid point. With many Countries with a Colonial past - uniforms, street names etc. are all kept from Britain. Safe and comfortable.....

Jim - you show-off ! Apart from the links - which are interesting, it's nice to hear from you. Did you ever meet Dwight Atkinson ? He was Ch.Insp. in charge of Met. Firearms - when he retired he was the civvie. for firearms in Devon and Cornwall.I'm Godfather to his son. I was just reading Robin's comments about satisfaction in the 'Job'. I have had four separate careers in my life - advertising, 7 years in the Met.. Herbal medicine (family business), and now in my retirement years - militaria and silver. Out of all of them it is the Police that I remember most and I always wish that I had joined earlier - but, was living abroad. Our new young member 'I love police' has his future in front of him and he hopefully, will have a satisfying career. Best. Merv.

A lovely addition to any Boer War collection. I have never seen one 'in the flesh' - rare and valuable.

Tony - when I last visited Mauritius I advertised in their local paper and some good LS medals to the police turned-up - one set to the former Dep.Comm. no less ! I remember there was a bronze and a silver LS and one of them - I think it was the silver, was not known in the UK and still isn't in the M.Y.Book. Was there a specific query ?

Hello - Jack. That's better - I couldn't imagine writing all of your URL. You obviously have an interest in Police - are you in a Force - or, a collector ? We don't have that many new members on this Forum, so will be nice to know a little more about you.

Italy was a US sphere of operations and therefore awards had to be initiated by them. Had it been a British decision, I think it would have been a VC nomination. I can't think of his name at the moment - but, somewhere - will be a copy of the award document. I will try to find it and post.

Craig - that's great - I'd never connected the oak and the acorns. I had originally thought a little higher-up, but Cheshire would fit nicely as they were badly affected by the enclosure act. Sheffield Plate doesn't have hallmarks - although there are many known maker's marks for SP. Unfortunately, none on any of these. I will contact the Cheshire Museum and report back. It is an important set, so to know the full history would be interesting. Many thanks. Mervyn ps. When are we going to do a short , illustrated history on the Met. Dog unit origins ?

Rich - you have made my day ! Many,many thanks for that information. I have established that the piece is a TORO or, incense burner and it is one of the most elaborate of all of those on the internet. I will post a full set of pictures on the Lounge later today. Would they also be of interest on this Japanese sub-Forum - I don't mind repeating them ? Once again thankyou for your help. Mervyn

Thankyou both for 'life-saving' this old post - over a year ago ! I don't suppose we will ever know their exact origins , which is around 1800. They have to be one of the very few Civil Regalia sets in private hands.

Welcome to GMIC - I must say that you have the most unusual name and avatar that I have seen on the Forum. You will certainly be remembered - however, it might help us if we had a first name ?

Thankyou Paul. I was having a 'senior' moment. Yes, the DSC - the top one that can be awarded to a non-US citizen. He was the first Sth. African to be given the award. He was originally gazetted for the Silver Star - however, it was three years before the Medal was given in S.A. by the U.S. Ambassador - in that time they up-graded the Award to the DSC. He was a Lt. in the Kimberley Regt. and took out 6 MG posts - then with his platoon captured a further post and took 8o SS prisoners. Quite an achievement. ps. Some time ago Chris had a thread for the most beautiful medal. I think I voted for the George Cross -however, having held an original DSC, I must say that I think it is right up at the top for simple - under stated - elegance.

Hi - Paul. I am wondering if any of your members would be able to help me with this script ? I have just bought one of the nicest bronzes I have seen for years - has many sumo wrestlers supporting it and a Samurai on the top. I will post it on the Lounge tomorrow, since I think members will be interested - would be nice if it turned out to be by a well known Master ... I hope I have the script the right way around ?

What did we decide the bird was for Sth. Aust.? Ed. raised it on World Police some time ago - but, I can't remember.

I've never heard of this award - does it have history. Some time ago we had a SA group where he was awarded US Valour Cross (I can't think of the name - it's the one below the CMH) This was awarded by the US 6th Army - Gen. Mark Clarke - and the British gave a MID (mean b-s !) so, there didn't seem to be a joint commendation at that time (1944).

The first one looks to be of a better quality than the Moroccan one. The blade looks to have been forged - whereas the Moroccan one seems to have corrosion and is not as good. They are all fairly common - I would suspect around Sterling 60 to 100 ($100 - 160) pounds for the first and for the Moroccan - about sterling 50 pounds ($60/65). Please remember, that when we give an approximate price - it is just that, a guide. Our estimates could be quite different in other Countries - so, always make your own enquiries.

Hi - Rod. Thankyou for that info. I do know the Memorial - I was at school at Geelong at Corio. However, I wasn't aware of the different uniform. May we see a close-up of the badge ? I liked both of the helmet plates - the VC one being a particularly clean example. Wasn't sure about the shape of the King's Crown - very rounded - but another rare example. I think we are all looking forward to seeing more from your collection. Everyone seems to have terrible problems down-loading pictures. I ended-up having an IT engineer come to the house to set it up for me. You need to get some more posts on and then you have extra space. Just join discussions and they soon mount-up.

Bob - my favourite - the 'sneaky' Customs eye !

We have many military historians with-in our ranks - so, I am showing this photograph of Boer and British rifle ammunition in the hopes of stimulating a discussion on the merits of both rifles and their ammo.. Hart's Hill was also the scene of an important battle and a distinguished charge - also, worth a description . I think sometimes, that many of our members sit back and wait for the 'same' people to do all the work - then a quick glance and it's forgotten. PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG !

Thankyou both for the info. Would be possible then that they could be for Queen Alexandra's Nursing Corps. Perhaps someone will have a rank badge we can compare with them. Ladybird - I used to wear a cape in the Met. Police and our Lion head chain supports had a hook on each - there is nowhere to fix a chain on these.

I have enjoyed this post - they are a famous unit. The extra photos show so much detail - thankyou Simon. Now, family history has-it that my Uncle George Mitton served with one of the Bns. - probably the 2nd - in WW1 . He would only have been about 17 or 18. His Daughter - she is a Dr. and lives in Capetown - remembers that he was bayonetted in the stomach , she has , obviously seen the scar and said it was massive. However, we all know how stories are changed over the years - does anyone perhaps have any paperwork available. I don't want to draw his papers - it would be like an invasion of privacy.....