Mervyn Mitton

One of our members surely must have a WW2 pattern khaki army tie to go with this uniform. Cotton or knitted is suitable. So long as they are plain toed, any brown shoe or, boot would be suitable. Try the charity shops ? I have always found it easier to use a pair of socks of the right colour. No one ever notices and the rod that goes from the base into the foot to support the dummy is easier to go through a sock.(If you go to a Charity outlet - don't let them give you a pensioner as well. They eat too much) Mervyn

They look military - but that doesn't mean the Police couldn't have used them ? What happened to Burnley - did it become part of the West Midlands Police ? If so, then perhaps their museum could help ? I'm sure that one of our Members will be able to help. Ross - for future police posts it would be better for them to be on the Police Forum - more people with interest, will see them there. Mervyn

Ross - I was delighted to see your post - sometime since you have ....... (My sincere apologies for not replying to your email - I'm afraid I do overlook things these days - I have an excuse, 77 this week !) All of the truncheons you show are rare - and must be in limited numbers. I have seen a number of different Harbour Police formed in this way. Do you know how many men they had ? I have never heard of the Canal Company you mention - how did you identify it - is there some smaller lettering ? I had 5 or 6 different Canal Companies - all very rare - and yours is similar in appearance to the one on page 50 of my book. Yours is probably the only of the Company left ? What was the history of the Taff Valley Line - it sounds as if it may have been one of the Company lines to transport ore and coal ? All three of these would fetch high prices at a railway auction. I look forward to some extra details and we must hope you will now continue to post more of these Welsh rarities. Mervyn

Hucks - thankyou for telling us about this new publication. I have a two volume set I bought a few years ago - makes really fascinating reading and you are left with a sense of awe for their extreme bravery. I expect the price will be high, but worth it for the collector. mervyn

Emmanuel - I worked for two years in Sierre Leone managing the only advertising agency. This would have been from about 1965 - I had just finished a 3.5 year contract in Thailand - had 6 months home leave and was then 'head hunted' to SL. The first President , and still in office when I was there , was Sir Albert Margai. They had their independence and he was living in the old Governor's mansion. He used to travel to a small gun shop opp. my office to buy shotgun cartridges. The old Rolls had the drop head rear compartment and he would sit on his own - waving to anyone who noticed him. He had 'umpteen' police m/cyclists and Landrovers surrounding him. However, SL was a lovely quiet place to live - and in my little VW Beetle I could travel right up-country staying in Govt. Guesthouses. I never had any problems and the people were very friendly. The inhabitants of Freetown were descendents from freed slaves and called themselves Kreoles. I think I mentioned before, that my secretary - a small black Lady , had the name of Mrs. McKenzie ! I was also supposed to look after Liberia and the Cameroons - but refused point-blank to go to either ! They must have had Commemorative medals for the Independence - and I am sure inherited - or, set-up a new set of medals and awards. Yours seem to be from a later period ? Mervyn

Well written Brian - and a frightening list of what awaits on other Forums........... The old expression come to mind - " Manners maketh Man "

Are any Members able to help Mick with his research. I had a number of photos of the Crete Garrison in the 1890's - unfortunately, with the shop closed I'm not sure where they are. I will have a look and come back to you. Mervyn

Dear Greendick - firstly, welcome to GMIC - we sincerely hope that your condition improves ! Perhaps we could use a 1st name or, nickname ? This may have been made locally, however, it is more likely to have been made in the Base Workshops. They used to sell them to other soldiers as souvenirs. The cockerels may be part of the Regt. Arms - or, possibly a local home link. A knuckle duster is an Offensive weapon per se - which means it has no other purpose except as a weapon. As Chris warns this makes anyone carrying it subject to being arrested - however, you should have no problems taking it home with the historical interest. We have fought 4 previous campaigens in Afghanistan - you are in the 5th ! I suspect that this will be from the 1919 campaign - or, perhaps the 1930's. Please tell us as much as you can , about yourself and the present campaign - also, how you found this piece. We will all be interested. Best wishes Mervyn

Top right is a cap badge for the Leicesters - officers wore a darkened badge for the field. The crown appears to be that for a Major - the pin and chain may have been added to make it a gift to a lady. The RAMC cap badge appears to be a standard one - probably, separate from the Leics. badge. Mervyn

Odulf - what a great find of his photo - particularly when you have had his medals for so long. I am sure one of our researchers will enjoy looking him up for you. Mervyn

Hi Rory - sounds a nice group - post a few pics. Come and have coffee at the house the next time you are in Umhlanga. Mervyn

Pylon - it is the 'unusual' that commands the values. Rare namings as on this QSA are not common - I think one of the other rare ones that I had, was to a Tug Boat Captain in Durban Harbour.............. Mervyn

My personal congratulations to all of the winners. I will take note for next sure and will include that all entries have to be fresh to GMIC. Please remember that the first five in each category receive a prize - First and Second have a plaque - 3, 4 , and 5 receive a Cerificate of Merit. WILL MEMBERS WHO HAVE WON PLEASE IM ME THEIR POSTAL NAMES AND ADDRESSES. THIS INCLUDES THE FOUR JUDGES. ***PETER - PLEASE PUBLISH THE FULL LIST OF FIVE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY. Mervyn

Brett - I haven't heard from the auction house - however, that was the scenario that I was expecting. You will remember that exactly the same happened with the VC group to the Mafeking survivor - relatives 'popped-up' out of the woodwork. I believe that it was eventually sold and went to the major collector in the UK. Mervyn

The square headed mace style of truncheon is quite common for Cornwall. Many of the Parish Constable's carried this pattern - you can get more information on four sides. Apart from letting auction houses know of your interest - I would also advise small adverts in the classified sections. Mervyn

Well done Steve - fascinating British history - and it clearly shows that they hated politicians as much as we do now................. Every major council has a silver mace to represent that they act in the King's name and under his authority. Even the House of Commons has the Royal Mace on display in front of the Speaker when the house is sitting. These are clearly an adaptation of the silver mace originally in use - and as you have been told, the original weapon for the escort was a long stave. Bristol is a rich city - really known for two things - it's production of Blue glass, used for linings in silver items. The second thing is that it is a seaport city - and was the centre of the British slave trade. This was suppressed in the early 19th Century. However, the fact remained - the City was wealthy and the maces have to be seen as a way of showing this. I wonder how many other towns and cities have items like this locked away. Since they are civil regalia I never really covered them in my book. I have just been asked by the Lord Mayor of London to write a history of the City Guilds regalia for the different Guilds - they go back many hundreds of years and the Guilds still have their Beadles and Constables. Unfortunately, I am not really well enough to take on such a big work, so have had to decline. We shall look forward to seeing some further pictures - and also the hallmarks on the maces. Why don't you write to their HQ - I bet they would ask you around very quickly if they knew you were going to post this on GMIC . Mervyn

How weird - i'll try to find out and let you know. Perhaps the family accepted an out of sale offer ? Mervyn

There are almost certainly a number of other Staffs of office in existance - for State Occasions more elaborately decorated and with gilt Crowns. This was the one commissioned for this particular ceremony and may have been changed on the day for one of the others - there seems to be no record. I did have paperwork on this one saying when he carried-it. I had totally forgotten that I had it in it's mounting case - for years it has stood in my main hall on a display unit. The case is contempory in date - the glass is of the old small bubble type - long since improved. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-41460200-1384266095.jpgclick This young man is Queen Victoria's eldest son - HRH Prince Edward - Prince of Wales. This was taken as an official photo prior to his wedding in 1863. Hard to think that by the time he inherited the Kingdom in 1901 when His Mother died, that he had become a diissolute, overweight old man - whose main hobby was having mistresses. He was never allowed any duties - or, given any help in occupying his time - a lesson to all those who think work is for others. He married Princess Alexandra of Denmark - the eldest daughter of King Christian 9th. She was a kind and considerate person and highly regarded by the public. The Duke of Norfolk in his capacity as Earl Marshall would have been in charge of the entire ceremony - to help him would have been selected Gentlemen Ushers. They wore Court Dress and carried a gold and red staff to show their position. These are staffs for the Ushers at King Edward's Coronation in 1902 and for King George 6th in 1937. The paintwork is a lacquer - and you can see that it splits with age. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-26978000-1384267453.jpgclick The top staff is for the 1902 Coronation http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-94801400-1384267845.jpgclick Usher's Staff for 1937 Coronation

One other interesting point concerning this Family, is that they are Catholics and have maintained their Faith from the time of the Reformation. This was when King Henry 8th abolished the Catholic Church with-in England and Wales and set-up the Church of England as the Established Church - with the reigning Monarch as it's Head. There was persecution of the Catholics at that time and it was not until the 1828 Emancipation Act was passed that gave them Freedom of Worship. Following this, the Dukes of Norfolk took up their position as the Lay Leaders of the Catholic Church in Great Britain. Like most of the ancestral great families they had plenty of 'skeletons in the closet' and they lost the title and at least, one his life, for plotting against the King. The title was restored due to the power they could control. I think the one executed was Thomas Howard - I think by Queen Elizabeth 1st. DUKEDOMS There are 24 Dukedoms remaining in Great Britain - some very wealthy, with enormous areas of land acquired during their past. A few have the title - but no money to maintain the style they would like to have. There is a simple reason for this - under the Law of Primo-geniture, the eldest male son - or, in his absence, a Daughter (but not always) had to inherit. However, if it was a distant relative who inherited the title - or, if the son was a 'deadbeat' - then he could be dis-inherited from the estate. This has happened several times in the recent past - drug addiction can strike anyone. For interest the inherited titles of Britain - in the order of their precedence is - Dukes ; Marquis ; Earl ; Viscount , Baron ; Baronet. Dukes are addressed as 'Your Grace' - everone else as 'My Lord' ROYAL DUKEDOMS The Monarch has always reserved some Titles for Members of the Royal Family. These can include - Edinburgh ; York ; Cambridge ; Gloucester ; Kent ; and for the HRH The Prince of Wales, he has the additional Dukedoms of Cornwall and of Rothesay. Out of interest the title Duke is from the Latin - DUX - or, Leader. Heir to Throne Son of Sovereign Grandson of Sovereign

click These are the arms for the Dukes of Norfolk. The simple crossed Staves represent the Hereditary Titles of EARL MARSHALL and also, for the HEREDITARY MARSHALL OF ENGLAND http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-82347800-1384263027.jpgclick Court Dress - which is still worn on Formal occasions, such as the Opening of Parliament. He is carrying a staff of office - of a different style to the one shown here. This has the Crown in Gilt at the top. The one I show is the one actually carried - it is not so cumbersome.

With English History going back over such a long period , there are a number of heriditary posts which stay with the same Family and inherited by the eldest son. I will try , over coming months, to cover the background of these positions. They are known as the Great Officers of State and number 9 in total. The Duke of Norfolk is the senior Dukedom and is also the senior Earldom. The Dukedom was created by King Richard 3rd (he of the ' where is that damn horse ! ) in 1483. The Dukes are the Direct Descendents of King Edward 1st.. The original Earldom was created in 1300. These titles are in the Peerage of England - which is why I haven't used the term Britain. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-51645900-1384261203.pngclick This is the Coronet for a Duke. Usually made of gilt silver - gold would be too heavy. This is Arundel Castle in Sussex - the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-76100700-1384260031.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-6209-0-21758900-1384260203.jpgclick This is the personal Staff of Office carried by the Duke of Norfolk - Heriditary Grand Marshall of England - at the 1863 wedding of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward 7th) and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. This was held at Westminster Abbey.

Phil - a wonderful result and certainly kinder then Brasso. I don't think they sell it in Sth. Africa - a pity. Mervyn

With Chris' medallion you can see clearly that a mistake in the casting was made where it says - IN - the I is actually a J. This makes me think it was commissioned by Child - as I prev. said - he probably handed them out to anyone standing still............ Look forward to the Museum's comments.