Mervyn Mitton

Hi - RR. Welcome to GMIC. I don't think the centenary of WW1 will cause a great increase in medal demand - it certainly didn't for the Boer War. What is definetly pushing up prices of medals and badges is the current economic concern. The reasons are well covered in earlier postings - however at times such as these people look for small, easily transportable items. Gold and other bullion items, paintings , medals and badges, stamps. I know of at least two people who always carry valuable stamps in their wallets - even if you only get 50% of what you paid - that could be sufficient to get you out of trouble. With regard to WW1 the scope and complexity of the battles and troop movements is probably far beyond ordinary peoples understanding - certain events will be covered in detail , but the day to day happenings cannot be covered for four years. The public like short campaigns - i.e. The Anglo-Zulu War 0f 1879 - six months was quite long enough.

Hi - Alex. Another good album - although I preferred the first one, perhaps more general pictures. Most of these are clearly marked and are self explanatory - so, I will only comment on a few. Pic.2. What a lovely picture of the British in action - table set with tin cups & a tablecloth and on a table that would have been looted from a Boer farm. Two pictures show a crowned crane - obviously a pet - however, I'm not sure if it is, or, perhaps a ground bustard. Will put a picture on and you can decide. 3. Strange how so many officers in those days , used to take their dog with them. This one is in nearly every photo with the major. A lovely Pointer dog. 11. This is a great photo of the Troop watering their horses. For it's age very clear. 13. Two photos show officers returning from hunting. They are holding Impalas , which are very plentiful. 13a. Damant's Horse - the picture shows Capt. Cameron as the commander of this unit. They were formed in Jan. 1901 and Major Damant was the C.O. - they were often known as Damant's 'Tigers'. The leopard skin band shown on Cameron's hat was taken from the original unit Rimington's Guides. About 300 in strength. 16. Could the figure on the left be Smuts ? About the right height and he always dressed well. 17. This photo - and 16 - are probably the two most valuable. 19. Johannesburg was only formed in 1884, so to find a thriving racecourse in 1902 - and during a war, is quite strange. It is probably the one known as Turfontein today. 24. Unless you have a family member with the initials 'IY' this could stand for Imperial Yeomanry. Good action shot for it's day as he goes 'over the top' ! Are you sure other family members aren't holding out on you with further albums ? ( I think it is a crowned crane.)

Finally - in this short thread - some examples of early LIFE PRESERVERS. Again these were personal protection weapons and usually carried in the back pockets of the old swallow tailed coatees. Often made by seamen to sell when they were back on land, they can have whale bone - which is flexible - as the shaft. Lumps of lead would be at each end and the seamen would use fine knotting to enclose the lead. Sometimes the shaft will be of Malacca cane - which is also flexible. They varied according to the tastes of the person making them - but , the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 stopped them being carried from that date. They are not rare and can often be found in antique markets - expect to pay about £50. Bludgeons and flails should be far more - it really depends on the level of ignorance of the stall holder....

This is a very rare bludgeon - and one of only two examples that I had in my collection. You can see from the Royal Crown and cypher for King William 4 th. (1830-37) that this was carried by a Parish Constable. Paintwork is a little worn , but then it is a minimum of 172 years old...

The lower piece is another example of a bludgeon - the top one is much rarer. This is a FLAIL. A fearsome weapon, the momentum of the blow + the heavy wood and an iron link is guaranteed to cause serious injury. This one was carried by the Governor of a British prison - about 1840/50. Both bludgeons and flails would often be carried in the back pockets of the old swallow tailed coatees - these went out of fashion in about the 1850's.

Even today you can often read, or, hear referred to in converstion, that someone was 'bludgeoned unconcious' or, ' badly bludgeoned in an attack'. The expression comes from an early club , where the head was separate from the handles but, joined by lengths of rope. This gave a greater force to the blow and they were often used to give a fatal knock. They come-in different shapes and woods - but all have the head separate from the stick.

Since we have been adding to this thread , I am attaching some further pictures of Irish bog-oak truncheons. Also, an interestingly home carved truncheon in rings, which I am told came from the the area outside of Dublin. The one above is a short version of what, is commonly, known as a 'shelaghly' (spelling?) - although always associated with Ireland in drawings and cartoons, they are in fact, quite rare.

Bound to be ? Not too many precedents - only Queen Victoria and King George 111 rd. - and I'm not sure if he lived to actually have his Diamond - he reigned from 1760 to 1820.

I agree with JC - look at the Crown on top of the coffin - looks like the small Imperial Crown she always wore.

Leigh - I only mentioned it in passing as it seemed a possibility - I thought Peter might have picked-up on it as he was in Nigeria. The difficulty , always, is getting the proper info. and not just an indistinct picture. Merv.

Hello - 1314 - welcome to GMIC. However, it would be nice if you could give us a first name ? I did suggest Nigeria when Leigh first posted - but it didn't seem to get looked-at. Are you police ; ex-police; colonial police, or, a collector ? Always good to know background on members - oparticularly on such a specialist subject. Mervyn

Alex - another fascinating look at the past. A great shame that the 'ravages' of time have caused such discolouration. Most of the photos have clear descriptions - so, I will not add a great deal - however, a few notes may be helpful. The mention of the word 'Kaffirs', would today be considered very offensive. However, it's origins come from the Eastern Cape and the 1820 Settlers - the area above Port Elizabeth and East London became known as British Kaffraria and the people living there as 'Kaffirs' - this was descriptive of the area and not meant to be an insult. One picture shows an 'outspan' of oxen. It took 8 oxen to pull a waggon - they would only move for a few hours in the day - and so, the speed of a convoy was controlled by the oxen. They could only turn in an arc and the width of early streets was dictated by the area it took for a waggon and 8 oxen to turn around. Most main streets in South Africa are very wide because of this. I am told oxen will not 'back-up' - however, not being familiar with the back end of an ox, I can't say for sure !! The picture of the Hotchkiss Maxim is one of the best I have seen and it is a pity it has faded. It clearly shows the upright feeder for the shells - very similar to that for a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft. Each shell weighed 1 pound ( the head ) and could be explosive or, solid shot. They have lovely brass cases and many people collect them. Both the British and Boers had them as mobile weapons - although, as can be seen, they are not small. The word 'Pom-Pom' came from the sound - as the handle was turned and they fired - it went pom - pom - pom (etc...)(Had another look - I think perhaps it is a canvas belt feed ?) The Boer War was fought in two parts. Up to the end of August 1900 was the time of set battles and sieges - after the Battle of Belfast or, Berg-en-dal (the farm it was fought-on) the Boer Forces dispersed and took to Commando Warfare. Many historians believe this to have been a bad mistake - it took away their opportunity to negotiate and caused much un-necessary loss of life and suffering. However, both sides had their own decisions to make. The Battle of Belfast was fought between the 21 and 27 August 1900 and a clasp was issued for the Queen's South Africa Medal 'BELFAST'. The Battle of Belfast - whilst important, did not have high losses for either side. The Boer unit fighting was the Zuid Afrikaans Republic Police - they only had about 70 men defending a hill or, Kopje, and lost some 20 killed and - I think 19 or, 20 taken prisoner. The British had about 1500 men storming the hill and lost ( I looked this-up) 3 Officers and 12 o/r's killed and 100 wounded. Total numbers involved were 5000 Boers , under General Loius Botha ( a highly respected man) and about 20,000 British , under General Sir Redvers Buller. He earnt his VC in the 1879 Zulu War - but failed to distinguish himself in the battles to relieve the Siege of Ladysmith. As often seemed to happen with our generals, they were always one war behind in tactics.

Could his Force number have been - 1957 ? Peter , this one is for sale....

Thankyou, Ian. Until Maureen sent some pictures over earlier this year, I had forgotten all about them. Do you have any Irish items in your collection ?

Vickers - interesting that you were at Brixton - I missed that one and was always grateful I did... The 'what-if' game for possible changes of scenario is always good - leads to some strange conclusions ! I have been waiting for the additional photos of the two earlier truncheons I posted. Can't say they show that much more detail - but, photos herewith.

They say ' a picture is worth a thousand words ' - but no one wanted the 1oth Hussars tragedy, so I've wiped-it. However - since Peter understands the I.L.N. - this interesting funeral scene from the the 2nd. Afghan War, is for him.... Even in a war zone we did our ceremonial so well. The uniforms have good detail.

Alex - your decision, I'm only a member the same as you - Leigh is the Volunteer in charge. However, I wouldn't move-it, I just feel that politics could take over from the historical aspect of your posts. Mervyn

Thankyou Foo and Vickers - now that I have been reminded I had heard of them. I'm trying to work out how you 'detain' someone for 10 mins. when you can't arrest them and have no training ??? Sounds like a comic script - you hang-on for 10 minutes and if no-one arrives to help you stand back and say goodbye ! Of course go over by 30 seconds and he could have you for assault. Our laws are always so badly worked out - South Africa is the best - the Commissioner has just stated publicly that he expects his men to use lethal force. YEAH ! Way to go...

Alex - I don't really feel that that your album posts are the right place to discuss the 'politics' and tactics of the Boer War. Unless it is by common consent and everyone treads very carefully. Rather like the past in Ireland and Ulster, people here in Sth. Africa still have very strong feelings on the subject. To really take an in-depth look at the subject, extensive research is required - there are no quick explanations that could satisfy everyone and it would detract from the more superficial aspect of the excellent and informative photographs.

The wonderful thing about the Forum is the incidental info. that comes out. I knew Brett would have the answer to the horse memorial - I remembered seeing an article in the paper , but memory failed. Thanks Brett - there's another question for you in the next photo album from Alex ! Graham - I know of the Volunteer Service Companies - but not in depth detail. I'm sure with your knowledge, you could make a great post on the subject ? I have shown a few pictures of a horse drawn field ambulance from the Boer War. I intend them only to show a little more detail than the photo does, but, I do not want to draw attention away from the photographs. The waggon was drawn by two ponies - or, in emergency - two oxen. The boxes under the waggon on either side are for medical supplies. Note the hoops to secure the wheels and the stand for the wggon boom to hold it even. Apart from the engine, field ambulances were not that different in the WW2 period.