Mervyn Mitton

You are probably all right that it is a 1919 commemoration peace award. However, without a picture we are only guessing. Members must try to ensure they include a picture when requesting information. Mervyn

Ralph - if you look back a little way on this section you will find a long post on copy VC's. You will find this of good background - also, it would have gained more interest for your post if you had included this. Do yo-u have any history on your copy ? Mervyn

I'm not sure about 'pillars of the establishment' - we used to call them left wing trash during the demos they organised...................

Brian - some time ago we had an interesting exchange of views on what was a 'Pasha". I have always understood that it was roughly equivalent to a Major - but, more civilian then military. I remember buying a nice Victorian ivory fly whisk in the Khan el Kallil in Cairo - and was told it was the badge of office carried by a Pasha. I would be interested to hear your views - I could post the fly whisk if you thought it of interest ? Mervyn

This could be for a senior police officer - I would have thought Asst Chief Constable upwards. Mervyn

Dave - thankyou for this warning - although to most collectors the word Bulgaria or, any others of these East European countries should mean , tread carefully. One small point - it would be better to make a separate post - it almost looks as if Brian's great Martingale is suspect....................... Mervyn

The map of Rhodesia in 1896 / 1897. Mashonaland is top right - Matabeleland lower left. ................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-78253300-1361447210.jpgclick...............................

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....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-77949500-1361446143.jpgclick.............................. The Matapos Hills are where Cecil Rhodes is buried - under a lovely bronze plate. There are other pictures posted on the Rhodesia - Success or Failure post.

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This dramatic picture shows the Matabele weaponry very well. You will see that tey have the same way of holding the shield (an Umbumbulu - or small fighting shield) as the Zulus - with spears held behind. ..................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-72337400-1361445464.jpgclick...................................

I mentioned earlier that I think this assorted weaponry is all associated with the 1896/97 Rhodesia Rebellion. From one source, it was probably collected at the time as souvenirs. These are the official figures for the casualities. The book they are from was re-printed in 1975 from the original Govt. Report on the "The Natve Disturbences in Rhodesia 1896/97". The authors were Earl Grey and Hugh Hole. Makes very interesting reading if you can find a copy - and of course, it set the scene for the next 85 years. ....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-24847900-1361445019.jpgclick............................

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The angled shape of this axe reminds me of the style used by the Northern Rhodesia tribes - this , of course, is now Zambia. Not such a practical shape and , I would have thought, easy to miss your strike ? .............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-19578800-1361444449.jpgclick.................................

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This is a totally different style of head - I have had suggestions for possible tribes made to me - it will be interesting to see if any 'old Africa Hands' can help to identify the origins ? I suspect one of the tribes towards the Congo. Since they all traded with each other - slaves, ivory, even gold - it is common for pieces to appear miles away from their origins. ....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-99180700-1361443827.jpgclick...............................

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This axe also seemsto have Zulu links - hoe shaped blade. No decorative wire work and quite a simple shaft. Perhaps for a lesser chief - or, it may even have been damaged and a new haft fitted ? ....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-69087100-1361443500.jpgclick..................................

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Time to look at the final batch of weapons - AXES. The Matabele were a breakaway Clan from the Zulus who settled in Natal in South Africa - their weaponry therefore, bears great similarities. However, they moved back further into Africa and had different influences from the new tribes surrounding them and , or course, from inter-marriages. You will see see these changes in the four axes I am showing here. Axes - whether for Zulu or, any other Southern African tribe - were not really for fighting and were not for the ordinary warriors. They were expensive , hard to have forged and were very much a status symbol for rank and authority. The first one I am showing could almost be Zulu - in fact they may have traded with them to obtain-it. The head has the hoe shape - the only type the Zulu smiths made - it also has the decorative bands of brass and copper. This, the Zulus obtained from the Portuguese in the Delgoa Bay settlement - now Maputo. Should you be following the Zulu Iklwas post on this Forum, you will see a number of examples of all Zulu weapons. ...................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-00215400-1361442615.jpgclick...................................

Noor - your RDF Sweatheart is interesting - however, I think I agree with Mike that it may be missing the badge. When you look carefully you can see a 'blob' on the lower left - this may be the remains of solder ? I would say probably Boer War - as you know the Regt. was very active and took part in the first Battle of the War - Talana. Are there any ref. books that show the badge without a crest ? Mervyn Robin - tis is a lovely example for the 17th Lancers. The Mother of Pearl seems to have died out after WW1 - but, was fairly common in the Boer War. I suspect that this is the earlier type. Mervyn

I can't see why the papers made a fuss about this - it will be news when they find them.

Markgraf - we are delighted to hve you at your new level................... What is the significance of the wedding photo - do you know who the officer was ? Mervyn