Mervyn Mitton

I think I tend to agree with Paul - a sweetheart brooch seems very possible. Certainly senior officers from all Services , often had diamond brooches made for their wives of girl friends. There is no miniature shown for the Thistle - which is a rare order of only 16 , plus the Sovereign - it ranks second, after the Garter. I found mention of a mantle badge - but could find no details of size or, materials.

Hi - George. Pleased to have been able to help. What were you doing that took you to two such diverse countries ? Mervyn

I have posted a small collection of WW2 Occupied Territories Notes issued by the Japanese Authorities - they are under Coins and medallions. They cover Burma and the Dutch possessions. I mention it here in case anyone has this interest.

100 $'s must have been a high denomination note ?

Under British and Commonwealth Police - and shortly under British naval - I have posted some items from an officer in the British South Africa Police. When he reached 18 in 1944 he joined the small Rhodesian contingent who were attached the Royal Navy and was posted to serve on board HMS Ceylon. She was a 10,000 ton Colonial Class heavy cruiser and served in Burma and the Far East. Amongst the small collection of items were a number of Japanese Occupation notes - some for Burma and also a number for Dutch Colonies. I am sure they have been seen many times - I doubt if they are rare - however, will show them here for info. - will also mention they are here on the Japanese sub-Forum. I will show both sides.

Simon - it can't be the Embankment, too many people standing on the right - there wouldn't be enough room. The roundness of the building looks as if there should be a corner? Did they take Her to Westminster Abbey or, down to St. Paul's. If St. Paul's it could be the Strand ? Perhaps Leigh has an Order of Service tucked-away ?

The British Colonial spirit. For WW2 they gave up their farm. The Father - on right - was a Squadron Leader in command of one of Rhodesia's three squadrons. Mother became a corporal supervising parachute packing. His brother - on right - was a fighter pilot and was shot down over Germany and he was a P.O.W.- he was a Flt. Lt.. Brick Bryson joined the Royal Navy the day he turned 18 and served on the Colony class heavy cruiser - H.M.S. Ceylon. She was stationed in the Far East. He collected some Japanese occupied territories bank notes and I will show them under Coins.

British South Africa Police Inspector Brick Bryson. He retired in 1978 and is now in his 80's. He suffered a stroke and is in a nursing home.

I'm going to add a little more of the Police material for Insp. Bryson. This will include some WW2 photos, which I feel show the patriotism which existed in those days. The cap and photos of his ship, I will post shortly under Ships. This is the exWW2 South African and Rhodesian pattern steel helmet. The only difference from the British being three holes to hang camo. netting or, sun cloth from. These helmets were taken out of stores and issued to special Police units in the UDI period. The camo netting is Rhodesian issue and colours and was intended to give cover when they were in ambush. The camo is prob. worth more than the helmet.

Paul - great that you have let Greg add all of his pieces to your post - it really will make-it one of the main reference sites. May I suggest that you notify the collectors' clubs in Canada and also, the Force Magazine - that should make them aware of the site and perhaps bring in more members. Greg - a great collection - the fur parka looks a bit 'parky' - why so open at the front ? Also - when did the NWMP get the prefix Royal ? I have the tipstaff for the NWMP - before I post it I have more research to do - he became the Magistrate and Commissioner for the Yukon Territory in 1898. He was friends with Chief Sitting Bull and the Fort he founded still exists as a museum. He has over 18000 entries on Google - and, would you believe I've forgotten his name.... I really am getting old. Will add when I look back on my photos and then perhaps you can tell me what they have on him in the museum at Regina (am I correct that this is where HQ is situated ?) Without looking I've remembered - Superintendent J.M.Walsh. NWMP. He was apptd. Supt. in 1875 - however, he joined with the first intake in 1873 as a District Inspector. p.s. Greg - if you do turn anything-up please let us discuss it by email - I would like to make the post on him a complete one - not bit at a time - he is too important to Canadian history. Thankyou - Mervyn (cathay@iafrica.com)

Looking at the picture again - I am intrigued by what looks like a double line of Police - or, could they be a Rifle Regt. ? Police seems more likey, since they are unarmed - however, their officers in the front have swords reversed. If they are Police, it looks as if they are paying respects - not acting as protective line. Any thoughts ? Also, where exactly was the photo taken ? I think it is the right corner of Buckingham Palace - the Victoria Memorial , had of course, yet to be built ?

Unfortunately made to a price, Chris. How much nicer if they had been those beautiful blued and gilded blades from Germany.

Hello George - I would say welcome - however, you seem to have been a member for longer then I have .... I moved to Freetown in Sierra Leone in 1963 , I can still remember the new Prime Minister - Sir Albert Margai - riding in the past Governor's Rolls - a cabriolet, with the very back open and waving at anyone he passed - usually school children. If I remember rightly, the Territory of the Gambia - which is about 600 mile towards the North - was administered by the Sierra Leone Governor. I think it became Independent at the same time. I was working in Advertising then and was also given Gambia and Liberia, I refused to ever go to either of them. I think then, that these will be for the Independence and to be handed out to school children - a piece of ribbon would have been used. I doubt that they have any great value. The one alternative that I can think of - the picture of the racing yacht ? Could they have organised a race between the two territories to mark the occasion ? I have never heard of this happening. Out of interest - Britain and the young America - had Naval patrols off the West African coasts in the 1800's. Their purpose was to stop slavers and release the slaves. The problem was, that there was no way to find where the 'slaves' had been taken from - or, to return them as the hinterland was unexplored at that time. The solution was that the British realeased their captives at the newly named Freetown and the Americans at Liberia. Since males greatly outnumbered women - the authorities sent two hundred prostitutes from Glasgow to help.... These then became an elite group known as Kreoles - my secretary was a lovely black lady by the name of Mrs. MacDonald ! p.s. Most of West Africa is Muslim - the 1441 date is probably for when the Religion reached there.

Have just bought some interesting items - which cover a variety of service and ended up as an Inspector in the British South Africa Police - Rhodesia. His name was Brick Bryson and he wrote a book on his life - which included service with the Rhodesian contingent who joined the Royal Navy. I will try to find a suitable place to give some of his history and will - over the next week post some of the equipment. From when HMS Ceylon served in the Far East he kept an amount of Japanese occupied territories notes - including Burma and Indonesia. Not sure where to post these - Gordon - would you want them on the Japanese forum - or, coins and notes ? Bryson - as I said was an Inspector - however, when the emergency was declared after U.D.I. - he was one of the Instructors for P.A.T.U.. These were an expert unit formed as a Police Anti Terrorist Unit. This unusual truncheon was obviouly his issue and it differs considerably from the British patterns. Firstly - the grip , almost moulded, has different ridges. The description says 'patented' - but it has the weight and feel of ebony. The other unusual feature is the fixing for the strap - unlike British ones which are tightened around a groove at the top, this one has a loop screwed into the very top. Actually, I think this makes it easier to use then a standard type. The overall length is 15.5 inches ( 45cm). From his PATU days there is also an interesting British WW2 steel helmet + the large camo cloth that was used to cover the head when lying in ambush. I may put this on our For Sale section , as we seem to have a lot of collectors for Rhodesia.