Thomas Symmonds

Good day Louwrens - Thank you for making contact, and re-awakening this topic. I found this knife tucked away in a second hand furniture store in Somerset West, Western Cape, all those years ago. It struck as quite an interesting item, and was keen to find out more about the man it was presented to. He does seem to have been the real soldier. I have always wondered how this came to be separated from his other items. Like medals, I suppose with each generation the detachment grows. Good for us collectors, but a bit sad for the family member who might at some stage take an interest ... Just for information to other readers, Gen van der Riet was awarded the following medals for his service: (I wonder where these are now ... ) Star of South Africa (SSA) Southern Cross Medal (SM) Military Cross (MC) Union Medal 1939–45 Star Africa Star Italy Star War Medal 1939–1945 Africa Service Medal (WWII) best regards Thomas

Hello Gentlemen - Interesting! I have now gone through my collection of bronze BWMs, looking at the 3s and between the Vs and Bs - unfortunately not all my medals have a 3 on them, but some observations - - The SANLC - all that have a number 3 have the flat top 3, and no blemish between the V and B - The Maltese Labour Corp example has a flat top 3, and no blemish between the V and B - The Macedonian Mule Corp example has a flat top 3, and no blemish. - The two Chinese Labour Corp examples, both have the blemish, and one has the rounded 3. (The other example does not have a 3 in the number). - Of the eight examples of the Indian Corps examples, all have the correct separate roller bar and all have the artisit's initials (W. McW - for William McMillan) at the 5 o'clock on the reverse, but - One example has a flat top 3, and no blemish One example has a round 3, and has a blemish Two show others show blemishes, but these have no 3 in the force number. The others are blemish free, but no 3 in the number I am sitting on the fence at the moment. The blemished, round 3 medals look good. I can't fault them. I have Howard Williamson's book - and a copy of his latest edition (numbered 600 in fact ), but I would like to think that Peter's No 2 theory holds water too. I would really like to see the other Chinese examples, and perhaps some-one can comment on the other medals minted in Calcutta? Anybody got Mr Williamson's phone number? best regards Thomas

Hello all - I have been guilty of being too quiet on this thread. I am a relative newbie to Vic collecting, and as such have found myself absorbing rather than contributing. Applause to Rob, Tim, johnnymac for making this thread a real treasure of information! Which brings me to my 2 cents worth. I would like to see the thread stay as it is rather than being split up. As a medal collector I was aware of the various Victory Medal types, but it was only in the reading of this thread that I get to see the real scope of what I am heading into. I really enjoy the way this thread "jumps around". There always seems to be something more around the next corner - it maintains a "wow" factor. If it is allowed to get streamlined maybe it might get "boring" to new readers ? Fantastic collection Herman! Great idea Lambert - lets see that expanded on. best regards Thomas

Excellent Len! A really great miniature group. As you know, I am a fan of attributed miniature groups, and this one would be competing for pride of place for sure. Well done. Very nice catch. Best regards Thomas

Hello JM - I think this may be your man - Lieut HHR Vibart Medal card of Vibart, Hugh Henry RoseCorps:Royal Army Service CorpsRank:Lieutenant regards Thomas 1914-1920WO 372/20

Hello Gentlemen - I unfortunately do not own one of these, but I believe that this is the badge that Chris is refering to ... I agree - a very nice find regards Thomas

To all, many thanks for your interest and your replies. We have been able to identify most of the medals in the group, but are still unable to name four. Close ups of the individual medals - Medal 1 Medal 2 Medal 3 Medal 4 Sorry - just re-read some of the posts. thank you James - 2&3 National Deportees Federation of Belgium 1914-1918 1st Class (both medals) I have never seen these with the star bars but probably denotes number of years under deportation. Thank you all again for the help. regards Thomas

... Thanks for looking. Thomas

... and more ... .. and one more ...

.... and some more closer photos ...

Thank you James - and just to add some flavour to the estimates, a couple of photos that I have just received .... It seems that Jozef Vernie was Knighted by King Boudewijn of Belgium on 30 July 1957 Hopefully some more to follow. Thank you again for your contributions. regards Thomas

Thank you Kevin - I know "Hendrik's Medal Corner" well. A fantastic site. (I was just lazy as to searching through it to identify the pieces) Any guesses at a value? Regards Thomas

Hello All - A coin dealer - a numismatist, for the purists - friend of mine has just got this really great collection of medals in. I have copied his email below. Please could the members help us with identification of the individual pieces. Pierre asks me for an evaluation too, so if any one feels like offering an opinion here it would be greatly appreciated. Pierre would probably want to sell this collection off, so if anyone is intereste dlet me know and I can put you in contact. Thank you for your help. They were awarded to a bookkeeper who served during the Second World War in the Belgium army. He was later exiled. His name was Jozef (or Joseph) Vernie from the town of Mechelen. His street address was Sint Kathelynestraat number 70. He was born on 1 January 1891. I do not have any military documents, but some other documents (e.g. insurance policies etc.) of him dating to the 1920s. I have many pictures, but here is a picture of the whole group/collection. regards Thomas

Darrell, your ability to collate so much information around your medals is truely fantastic. I have been a quiet reader of pretty much all your posts, but now it is time to applaud. Thank you. regards Thomas

Excellent Will! Thank you for posting. Another really fantastic group from your collection, not just for the medals, but for the rich history that accompany them. Full compliments to you for endevouring to uncover all the information, and thereby preserving the full story.

I feel as though I need to quote the whole of Laslo's text - it really is very informative... ? Does anyone have any of the unofficial Italian Vic medals? best regards Thomas

Laslo's Italian Official Victory Medal - Orsolini's design - Type 3 - F.M. Lorioli & Castelli - Milano and the naming

Laslo's Italian Official Victory Medal - Orsolini's design - Type 2 - S. Johnson - Milano and the naming

Laslo's Italian Official Victory Medal - Orsolini's design - Type 1 - Sacchini-Milano and the naming

An Italian tack now Gentlemen & Ladies ... Thank you to Rob for a fantastic reference book (and a brilliant addition to my Vic collection - to be shown at a later date). Now I am able to gleem all sorts of answers - and perhaps the reason why I have been a bit quiet here. My three Italian beauties ... types 1, 2, & 3 in Laslo (I can say that now) Individual, and name close ups to follow. Thomas

... Regards Thomas

Hello All - I have this letter which pretty much says it all ... and page 2 ...

Hello Rob - Thanks for showing those non-British groups. This thread has piqued my interest in these types of groups and I find myself now actively searching for them. Miniature groups mostly - partly because of cost, but mainly because I have found that I enjoy the mini more - I marvel at the sometimes intricate detail, and probably due to the cost factor too if I am honest You have mentioned that you have help from friends in finding these gems, but are there any sites or auction houses that you could recommend to watch? Please post some more of your groups if possible. I would be keen to see them. regards Thomas

I found the article that Will is refering to - "SOLDIERS WITHOUT REWARD Africans in South Africa's Wars by J S Mohlamme" Link to SOLDIERS WITHOUT REWARD Very interesting reading again - thanks Will. Thomas

Will has directed me to these two threads he started last year - Great Britian:Medals of the British Empire, Honours and awards - Page 8 Lt Col Godley, CBE and Pte E. Albane Would be nice if one could join up these threads through a type of "cut and paste" rather than have to click on links ... ? Very interesting stuff Will. Regards Thomas