Mervyn Mitton

Mike - There is Robin in his senior officer's uniform - me, in our old No.1's - and you - with a large drink in your hand..... Shame on you !!! Please send us one with the full uniform - then we can all say - 'Gee - that's what they wear in the films' !!!

Brett - your comments are so true regarding the vandalism. Some of it could just be prejudice - i.e. Afrikaans , British, or, Zulu children listening to parents and then doing damage - but when you bring bull dozers to a cemetary to see what you can find !! The famous story - and I mention no names, or, clues to identity, - was the overseas dealer who provided the night guard at Isandlawana with a metal detector and told him where to dig. I believe in this case there was a prosecution - however, the last time I visited Isandlawana , guess who was on the gate ???

Stuart - I have said it before - I think this is one of the finer collections and all in such wonderful condition. My favourite has to be the bell Top Shako, but, closely followed by the Gentleman at Arms. Peter is hoping to become a museum curator - doesn't bode well for the museum when you can't spot a billiard table !!! (Sorry , Peter !)

Robin - GREAT ! Now we need someone to 'lift' my right arm in my photo to salute you.... Interesting that your Force had your cap with silver braid for a Chief Inspector. The Met. don't get that until Superintendent. Mervyn Would be nice if other Police members would post their uniform photos - not only UK, but all Countries.

Mike - you did no such thing - we all post in the hope that someone will find it of interest - and not say to themselves 'it's him again' !!! I have several tapes of old Troopings, but today, most people don't have the machine to play them - all DVD's. I was actually quite 'shocked' that Thomas had never seen the ceremony - however, he is young (ish !) and they don't show things like this on S.A. TV. So, it was good that you found ref. How many others won't know, but will keep quiet ?? Mervyn

Thomas - so pleased I can 'intimidate' someone ! The 'Trooping of the Colour' is one of the highest ceremonial days in Great Britain - I suppose it ranks with the Cenotaph commemorative. The Saturday nearest to June 12 th. is always used for TtC - that being the date for H.M. The Queen's 'official' birthday. The real date is a family affair. The Guards Regiment scheduled for that year - Troops it's Colours in front of The Queen. It will be augmented by 6 or 7 Companies from other Guards Regiments and used to be of 8 Company strength- thinking about it, I believe this has been reduced to 6. The combined bands of all the Guards Regiments are present and , in addition the Life Guards and The Blues and Royals parade with their bands. Finally, in recent years - King's Troop of Royal Horse Artillery also parade their guns. My old Division (H) used to be in front of the Guards Memorial and as we faced front in those days , had the best view of all. It was about the only thing I volunteered for. See if you can buy a DVD - it is a wonderful event.

A little 'faded' with age - like me - this was taken on the day of the 1969 Trooping of the Colour. All my friends decided we wanted a photo in our number one uniform and met in a local park , before going on the police coach to Horseguards. This uniform is virtually the same as amended in the 1870's and was made of wonderful Melton Cloth , with buttons all down the bottom of the back of the tunic. Note we had no epaulettes and our numbers were on either side of the collar. A year, or two, later they withdrew them and sold them off to Elstree Film Studios for ?3.50 each ($5) each ! Only 5000 men in the inner divisions wore them - and we always wore white gloves.

Going through an old photo album the other day, I found these two pictures from my Metropolitan Police days. This was taken at Hendon Training School and as I was a Probationer Constable, I am not wearing a whistle. We had an enormous fall of snow and all took turns having our photos taken. December 1967 - I was 30 !! After Leigh's comments about changes in uniform - this is what a policeman used to look like....

Douglas - thankyou. I will look it up - I don't collect these badges, must say they are well made and attractive. Mervyn

The height is 12.5 inches (32 cm)

Cast from aluminium during WW2 this rare item shows Sir Winston Churchill in the centre of his famous war victory sign 'V'. The probability is that it was cast from either a 'downed' British or, German aircraft - this was quite common and the castings were then sold for the War Effort. The back is un-polished and has no markings. During the War my family owned five acres (2.5 hectares) of green (glass or, hot) houses in Greenwich - near the naval College - we had the job of growing tomatoes for London , since the Channel Islands were occupied. Churchill's driver would come regularly for tomatoes for 10 Downing Street - the car was a big Humber - the type with the squared back (so a top hat could be worn) - the back window was so scarred and scratched you couldn't see in or, out. The chauffer said it was Society women trying to get to Churchill and that it was their diamond rings that had caused the scratches !!!

Brett - did we really part with this lovely board ??? I actually can't remember it - but a good set.

Very impressive set - the pouch is a type I've always liked . Has to be ?1000 - ?1400 today ? What was their strength - I see King's Crown - Edward V11 or, George V ? Do you have a collection ?

OBE - Order of the British Empire. Also silver - as for the MBE - this version is lightly gilded. Unfortunately, with handling, this quickly wears off in many cases. With this example you can still see traces of the gilt. Reverse follows.

MBE with Womens' Bow. Reverse follows

MBE Military. Has the extra stripe in centre of ribbon. Reverse follows

A little lower down , SABRIGADE posted a nice group, which included a CBE (Commander of the British Empire). I thought I would include a set of MBE and OBE - I will not give a lot of details - others are more able to do that. However, a question I can't answer - did they change the name of the Order as they were talking about at one time ? I believe it was going to become The Order of British Excellence.

I think this print from the Illustrated London News of 1879 is interesting, in that it shows the appearance of the Zulus at that time and how their dress has been changed by contact with the British troops. Most of the Zulus are guides and scouts and they appear to have captured a 'spy' - who is being questioned by Gen. Newdigate. Whereas Zulu warriors carried their spears and knobkerrie in the shield hand - these are shown with quivers on their backs to hold the spears. There are two umbumbululu shields shown and several are carrying rifles - or, muskets.

TS - what a pity it wouldn't print - must have been a magnificent site to see her sailing. I don't know of any British historical warships that are still floating ?

That's why Thomas is doing the digging !!! I'm old - not stupid.....

Joe - superb condition and I think this pattern date is fairly rare. How do you keep all your bayonets in such a lovely state - is it TLC - or, do you 'cheat' and buff ??

I don't know why - but, I'd always thought they were much earlier than that. Would you have a picture of what they looked like - have they changed greatly over the years ? I've never had an interest in coins to collect - although I like the Kruger coins of the Boer Republic. Had a chap in the shop this morning - he said he has a big coin collection, but that dealers won't buy back and he can't sell any of them - he's turning to medals. He also, mentioned that he had an 1892 mint Boer Rep. 1d - that he had been offered ?600 for. Would it be that difficult to sell coins - and would it be worth that much ? Before the change of Govt. here , anyone who had to go overseas would buy valuable stamps to take out in their wallet - even if you got only 50% of what you paid, at least you had money out of the Country. I suppose gold coins are the same - although harder to hide ???