Mervyn Mitton

' alt='' class='ipsImage' > This was recently found behind books in the UK - I had forgotten it - my first thoughts were that Leigh would enjoy looking at the details. You do not find documents of this nature on the open market - usually they are consigned to archives. The details show the entire complement of men at the St. Albans Division - from Sergeants down. However, the Chief Constable and most of the officers' seem to have signed for it being correct. The wages paid seem pitifully 'thin' by today's standards - but in fact, many families were raised on this amount and police status put them in lower middle class. Because I have had to separate the sections to make the details legible, it does mean rather a lot of posts - however, the various headings make interesting reading. ' alt='' class='ipsImage' >

I don't think Natal - although it is the right period. I agree with you Leigh , that it looks like an officer's - what about Nigeria. We will have to see what Peter thinks ?

Well done Norman - something to be proud of. Should it be in book form, I will be happy to purchase one. I hadn't realised your military rank , are you still serving or, retired. Mervyn

Clive - a very attractive collection of Canadian Helmets , and nicely displayed. Do these helmets come-on the market often ?

Patrick - we must welcome you to GMIC - we need more helmet and headgear collectors. These are both lovely examples and even though re-gilded the South Staffs is a very impressive piece. I am always amazed thet even after 130 odd years , pieces can still come-up in this condition. Thankyou for posting.

Interesting to remeber Empire Day. When I was at school at Geelong in Victoria in the early 50's, I always went to the ceremony at Melbourne Cathedral, since I was in the School Cadets. In just that short period to now - we have lost the Empire - and even worse, most of the patriotism that keeps a Country proud and alive.

We shall look forward to seeing them Adam. I always think they are an attractive medal.

H.J. HENOCHSBERG CONTRACTOR This company were the makers of this sword and it is unusual - at this date - to have an overseas factory. For many years in the 18th and early 19th. Centuries very many British swords were made under contract - usually in Germany. They had better production facilities and were often regarded as making a better weapon then the British companies were producing. But that was a 100 years earlier and by the 1900's we had many expert swordmakers - so why, a contract manufacturer in Germany ? I will be very interested in members' opinions on this and - hopefully, someone can tell us about the firm of Henochsberg ? My own opinion is motivated by the date. When King Edward 7th. came to the Throne in 1901, the Boer War was still at it's height - officers - both those already in action and those being Commissioned - would want a sword with the new Cypher. Remember Queen Victoria is our longest serving Monarch - 63 years - and most people had lived all their lives under Her reign. I can imagine a great rush for the new cypher on swords and to keep up with the demand, I think they ' contracted out' - a return to earlier days. As an aside - I will shortly be 73, but even so , I have only lived under 3 Monarchs. Edward 8th; George 6th; and Queen Elizabeth. And Edward 8th. reigned for only a short period - his abdication took place on the day of my birth.

The guard has yet to be cleaned. The overall length of the blade is 31 inches ( 75cm) - it is interesting that a British officer's sword can vary in length between 31 inches and 37 inches ( 90cm) and is made according to the height of the wearer.

We have just had an exceptionally researched 1895 officer's sword from Jonathan - in fact we were fortunate that he showed the four of this pattern in his collection. The one I am showing is the 1897 pattern - with the smaller holes in the guard. This one is for King Edward 7th. - 1901 - 1910. Being in such smaller numbers than those with the VR cypher , they often can command a higher price. This example is in good condition and with a very clean blade - the rarity, though, is in it's maker. I will come to this when the picture comes-up.

Hi - Alex. Not sure if anyone welcomed you to GMIC - you've rocketed up in numbers with all your interesting items - so it may have been overlooked. You say you now have an incentive to collect - I'm not surprised, you're family have been very good to you. I always tell new collectors - ' go home and loot your family ' - it's amazing what people have tucked away in cupboards. The important thing is to research as much as possible and always keep records - for so many collectors it just becomes a numbers game. Reference material is also very important and if you are going to concentrate on badges, then get a good ref. book. Kipling and King - two volumes, are regarded as the main books on badges - however, they cost well over £100 - so you may settle for Wilkinson, who is still a well illustrated book. You have asked about prices, however, many of our members are collectors and not in the commercial world. I will always help where possible, or, you can try looking on the web. Values are important for insurance purposes - don't assume that you are covered under your household insurance - when values start to rise they often ask for a list and values and expect you to take separate cover. Best wishes and keep posting.

You know Leigh - the old saying you 'learn something new everyday' still applies. The lovely badge you have shown above for Army Recruiters - I've never heard of this before. I always thought they were seconded from their regiments , or units, for a period . This is obviously why our Army has shrunk - they've spent all the money on badges...

Part of the preface notes from Canon W. Lummis' book. Note the award comment under 2. Also at the bottom about how they added their own awards - a fairly common practise.

These were the patterns of 9 and 12 pounder guns used by the Royal Horse Artillery in 1815. I suspect they had changed by 1854, but cannot find a picture if they had ? Note the large wheels for dealing with difficult terrain.

The Artillery Redoubts - shown 1 to 6 were already in position to control the Russians. I am not sure if they were Royal Artillery - or, if the Royal Horse Artillery were in them ?

Darrell - a lovely medal and to have the four bars is great. We had a 'charger' some years ago and I have been looking for ref. books to assist. However, you seem to have found out most of the background. The famour ref book on Balaclave is 'Honour the Light Brigade' by W.M.Lummis. He deals only with the 'chargers' but, there is a good map showing the terrain and also the positions of the RHA. I will get it photographed and add to thread.

A most interesting post - but, I agree with Dan - the Grasscutter naming must be almost unique. Does that mean my gardener is eligible to a medal ?

I know what you mean - perhaps we'll get an increase with the next Government.

O.K. - Jeff. I concede that you are right - hurry and get more posts on - then the pictures will be visible.... Mervyn Do you collect helmets ?

The Army Organisation Act of 1881 changed the 11 th. of Foot - always known as the North Devonshire Regiment - to become the Devonshire Regiment. With a long history and a number of amalgamations with other regts. they served in a number of important Countries from the 1830's onwards. In 1831 they helped to put down some dreadful riots which were devastating Bristol. Thereafter they were in Greece and then in Canada during the troubles of 1838 - 9. They then spent 13 years in Australia from 1845 - and if 'mossy' - Sam, sees this he may be able to add some details of their service. From 1864 they were in India - serving in Bengal until 1877. These buttons were made in Calcutta and probably date from this period. From 1890 they were in Egypt and then back to India. Boer War and later service is another story. Sets of Buttons pre-1881 are quite rare and these are heavily gilt for an officer.