Mervyn Mitton

I agree with you - they had led harder lives and also, they were fighting for a Cause and for their King. I am afraid that today there are different sets of priorities in place. I had in my mind that this would be a topic for different points of view - sadly, like so many posts members seem to be unwilling to comment. This rather 'stops' things. Don't be cautious in commenting - after all in this collecting field you never stop learning new things. Mervyn

This is the best of the bunch for quality. The Lt. Colonel is front centre. On his left a Major - the others seem to be either 1st. or, 2nd Lieutenants. I am thinking Rifle Regiment - the sword appears to be the 1822 pattern. All comments very welcome http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-19654100-1346167451.jpgclick

This appears to be a troop of 23 men and their officer. They are not cavalry - no swords. Probably a South African Mounted Rifles regiment. OR, are they our friends the Imperial Yeomanry ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-66761600-1346167093.jpgclick

No ! I haven't a clue who he is - perhaps a local agent - or, an officer off duty ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-05339400-1346166845.jpgclick

This very posed photo seems to be a mixture. The officer in front centre appears to be wearing a Welsh Dragon - the other badges are Crown above a circle. Not at all clear - any ideas ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-85051000-1346166453.jpgclick On the back in pencil 'Lt. Trollope'

Group of Officers - all wearing mourning armbands. They are sitting in front of a two wheel horse chaise. Perhaps Imperial Yeomanry http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-84661300-1346166065.jpgclick

5th Imperial Yeomanry football team. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-53448100-1346165792.jpgclick

Probably in 1901 - they are wearing mourning bands for the death of Queen Victoria. I can't see any other features - apart from the plume some are wearing. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-01230900-1346164882.jpgclick

This group appears to be a HQ staff. Seated 2nd from left appears to be a General - the othe three seated are probably Staff officers with the collar gorgets. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-23093700-1346164614.jpgclick

With the flat Veldt , long range visibility was a problem. These little makeshift viewing platforms were a succesful way to keep an eye on the safety of the camp. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-73877200-1346164344.jpgclick

I recently bought this group of photos - they are probably later copies, and may not be associated - although a number may have links. Only one or two have any writing on the back. Where it is present I will type it out - too faint in pencil to show on a photo. I will also add any thing that I feel may help in identifying the subject - or, the location. Please add your comments. This first picture is a stereoscopic - but, I have shown only the one side. It is the Royal Munster Fusiliers at the Redoubt of Honey Nest Kloof on Feb. 16th. 1900. There is a First aid station with wounded in the middle - an injured man is being treated in the foreground and dead soldiers appear to be behind this. Many photos were re-staged at this time - however, I think this is a genuine one. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-39822500-1346163678.jpgclick

Jason - welcome to GMIC. Can you remember any further info. about either medal that will assist members ? Mervyn

Stewart - my apologies for deleting your question on where was the article ? I was just about to post this so took out the question. Mervyn

We all know what a WW1 Trio consists of - so, I haven't gone into multiple pictures, I really want to use this as a chance to have us talk about the dreadful injuries that were inflicted in the War - far worse and in greater numbers then any previous conflict. Trooper J. Tulip was with the 6/7th Royal Scots Fusiliers (an amalgamated unit due to heavy casualties to both Battalions in earlier conflict). On the 31 July 1917 his Bn. was with the 45th Brigade - together with 8 other Scottish Battalions. This date was the start of the 3rd. Battle for Ypres - and carried on to become Passchendaele - one of the worst conflicts of the War. The total British casualties for the Battles were over 300,000 - for the Germans - app. 260,000. It finally worked out to 35 men killed for every metre of ground gained. The Royal Scots Fusiliers are one of our most famous Regiments - and are credited with being one of the first Regiments made. During WW1 they consisted of 3 Regular Battalions and 16 Auxiliary Battalions. 8 of these served overseas. Now - a little about Trooper Tulip. His daughter brought these medals to me and so, I was able to get much more information then is usual. He was born in 1898 - on the 1st. of June. The total I have given above is quite frightening - a part of the young British men who could never be replaced. However, I have been unable to find the total of seriously injured men - who probably number even more ? I am not sure on which date he was injured - most casualties seem to have been quite early. He was hit by shrapnel from an exploding shell and his right leg was blown off. Just as seriously, his body was riddled with shrapnel. He was left paralysed and was not to walk again for 12 years - the total of operations came to 51 ! Eventually, as his daughter said, through sheer courage and persistance he made himself learn to walk again. However, for the rest of his life - even to the year he died in 1970, at age 72 - shrapnel kept emerging and had to be removed with smaller operations. Had he known what was to happen with pain and operations in the following 53 years might he not have wished to have been a KIA ? Personally, I don't think so - he was obviously a very brave man - but in other cases the wish might have been different. What do you think ?

................................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-75741900-1345993808.jpgclick............................................. 1914-15 Star to Tpr. J. Tulip. Royal Scots Fusiliers

...............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-29994700-1345993036.jpgclick...........................................................

...............................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-61166200-1345991982.jpgclick.................................................... The Royal Scots Fusiliers

......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-52450100-1345991728.jpgclick...................................................... (Battle Honours to 1899)

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-47739900-1345990944.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-88844600-1345990829.jpgclick

...................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2012/post-6209-0-59307600-1345990248.jpgclick............................................................ This rare footed dish - or, compote - is by the famour German Porcelain factory of Rosenthale. They are one of the top porcelain companies in the World - and probably the equivalent of Royal Worcester. I date it to the 1920's or, 30's - although this has to be confirmed. The Tiger Lily is exquisite in it's style and execution and the surrounding foliage is equally well done. It is a valuable piece - particularly since the matt black background is unmarked. Everything has been hand done - including the 22 carat gold surround. I doubt if anyone ever put fruit in it - which is just as well with this decoration........

Hi - JP. I wonder if this is the person you listed in a previous post as having robbed a museum of medals ? Mervyn

Brian - a lovely pair. I would think fairly rare with this combination. Mervyn

Mike - I think this post really alerts us to the dangers and bravery shown by the troops. Well done. Mervyn

Kingsman - yet another set of co-incidences to find this remarkable sword. I hope you can get further information and we will look forward to the picture. Mervyn