Mervyn Mitton

Toutfou - welcome to GMIC. I would say that this is a Divisional flash - hard to say from the faded paint. I think it looks like an Irish Harp with a Crown over. This might be an Irish Division - perhaps someone could look this-up ? Mervyn

Nelson - I think this may be a dificult one to find. Hopefully one of our Member's may be a ble to help - if not put a post on the Wanted section of the Sales Forum. Mervyn

Brett - I fully agree with you - the correct place for these is in a local Museum. However, they will most probably go overseas - which is a tragedy when he is such a well known officer. The main problem is the 1906 Command - I believe they even changed the street named after him in Pietermaritzburg ? I think the bids are standingr at around R100,000 - and it doesn't finish until the end of November. Mervyn

Typical - kick the elderly when they're down. One day - you too - will reach an advanced age Chris. Providing a certain person doesn't get you first ? I find I have two questions in the morning - 1. Where am I ? 2. Am I still here ?

My passing comment to Kornel was only a reminder to all, that with so many members, there is always someone ready to have an opposing view. You only have to watch the Lounge and see how many are taken off. We also have to remember that Google picks almost all posts for their sites. I think you have all expressed our history interests very well - and for myself, I don't think the World has improved for the better. Sould re-incarnation exist - which , of course , we won't know until we 'pass-on' - then I would like to 'come back' in the Victorian period. Restrictions and the nanny state did not exist as in today's life - and I think we were better for it. However, you had to have imagination and a willingness to work

Thaankyou Antonio. Looks to be a nicely designed medal and I am sure will be a welcome addition to the Gallantry line-up. Mervyn

Kornel - this is just a reminder - we try to avoid comments on politics and religion. With over 9300 members, there will always be someone with a different view........ Mervyn

Thankyou Kornel for those background details. Because Forums are very impersonal it is always good to know a little about the people we are writing to. The tragedy of ww2 was it split Countries and families. Yours fought within the German sector - whereas thousands of Poles fled to Britain to serve in the British Forces. Many have settled and never returned to Poland - industrious and respected people. Strangely - the largest number of Foreigners in Britain at present are Polish - under the European Union they are allowed to travel and work, and many, many thousands are in Britain to earn enough for a home when they return to Poland. Mervyn

I agree - it is certainly the splendour of the past. The 1906 Zulu Rebellion was suppressed with only Colonial troops from South Africa. The 1906 Medal was the only time that an Imperial Medal was awarded to only Colonial Troops. He was the Commander in Chief for the campaign - I would think the Knighthood comes from that.

Kornel - I think your description of the fascination with bodies is 'spot-on'. From earliest history we have preserved skeletons - probably in hopes of the Spirits return. I think most cultures follow this practise - on the Island of Madagascar they unwrap the ancestors bones every seven years in case of a return. I was interested when you said you have only been 9 years in the US. Where are you from originally ? I hope you picked a warm area to settle, some of the US and Canada seems to be under snow a lot of the time. Stuka - your friend makes these from small scrap metal - absolutely amazing ! When I had the shop we would often take the works out of broken pocket watches to scrap - people were always coming in to buy the works and I was told they were usually broken down and montages made. My mention of Robin - was Robin Lumsden, one of our senior members. He collects anything to do with military sculls and crossed bones. I think he posted earlier on this thread. Mervyn

He is a late War entry, with only the Italy Star for Campaigns. The Defence Medal is a nice addition - and apart from other Countries troops who served with South African Forces - the Africa Service Medal is only for South Africans. During WW2, I think only Sth. Africa and Canada awarded medals in silver. I suppose the value for a 5 bar group like this is around Rands 1000 (60 pounds $ 80). In recent years many of the veterans have sadly passed away and it has led to a lot of these groups coming onto the market. Give it a few years and this will climb back. Meanwhile, as I always used to tell customers - you are holding 6 years of a man's life in your hands. Be he British, or German, they all had to put their lives on hold and run the risk of injury or, death. Have the group researched and let us know what you find out. Mervyn

Chris - I let him know by IM. Yes - as always split lots. The bidding on the top group - without the KCMG or the CB - is about Rands 80,000 - and it doesn't finish until end of Nov. (about 4500 pounds - $ 7000)

continuation - http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-21748300-1382113048.jpgclick

Who's Who entry for 1933 edition - Lt. Col. Alexander McKenzie MC http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-45725300-1382112881.jpgclick

Dress Boots - with spurs attached http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-65775400-1382112726.jpgclick

Dress Gloves. Chamois Leather http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-52622400-1382112624.jpgclick

Tunic - with ribbons http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-41865600-1382112519.jpgclick

Waistcoat for Mess Dress http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-77545600-1382112424.jpgclick

Mess Dress http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-52474200-1382112304.jpgclick

Two lovely pith helmets - one with silver trim http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-16792800-1382112130.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-56492200-1382112213.jpgclick

Full dress waist belts http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-76412100-1382111947.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-40597500-1382112050.jpgclick

Mess Dress Pill box hats http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-97650900-1382111751.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-78692200-1382111851.jpgclick

Since his original uniform is included in the sale , I will continue and show this. Very useful for reference. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-22501900-1382111448.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-69651400-1382111598.jpgclick Two hats showing a senior rank. One as a Brigadier - the other Natal Carabineers.

MC Group to Lt. Col. Alexander McKenzie. MC , 1914 Trio , WW2 Africa Service Medal and War Medal , 1935 Jubilee Medal , 1937 Coronation Medal , Colonial Aux. Forces Officer's Decoration , An Efficiency Decoration, http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-93270800-1382111014.jpgclick

Commemoration Medal - National Order of the Legion of Honour http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6209-0-66945300-1382110868.jpgclick