Thomas Symmonds

Hello ukok - The group sounds like a great find - I enjoy the "not-so-run-of-the-mill" groups, and your trumpeter's is certainly one of those. I shall see what I can find for you. In the mean time how about a few photos? best regards Thomas

Hello Rob - Sorry I missed your question re the reverse of my CCLR Victory Medal - it has the bi-lingual reverse. Not that this is confirmed, but probably a white officer's medals? regards Thomas

Hello Mervyn - Very nice display, but I am unsure here. Are you saying that the difference in the number of pieces between post #1 and post #4 is because of simple theft. That is shocking if it is the case, and very sad indeed. I dont have any lead soldiers but have often been tempted by auction lots to take the plunge - maybe one day. Thank you for posting. regards Thomas

I have had some fun chasing down the miniature versions of the various Vic Medals. I have a Belgium and French mini on their way to me at present, and I have finally tracked down an affordable Greek full size medal - to my mind the more stunning clasp set up of the lot. I shall post them when they arrive. regards Thomas

Hello All - Again, "it has been awhile" since my last post, but I had followed your thread on your Romanian group of 9, Rob. A very interesting discussion. I very much agree with your comment - "a bit of intrigue with a group is a good thing sometimes". I tend to learn more from the groups that have perhaps been fiddled with than the genuine straight forward ones .... My addition to the Victory thread here is I need some help in clearing up the abreviations on this WWI pair I have just purchased. I bought them purely for the naming - I have not seen it before. It is a South African's duo - J W Harte and the naming is as follows C.Q.M.S. J.W. HARTE. C.C.L.R. Any help here would be very much appreciated. regards Thomas

Definitly not a slacker - but maybe he took "Join the army and see the world" at face value too. A great group with a really fascinating story. Thomas

You know how I feel already, "Dearest Uncle Mervyn" ... ... and it looks as though they have their original ribbons too. A really stunning collection - the first group is fantastic! I look forward to the research. regards Thomas

I have just been through this collection of yours AGAIN Will - I cannot get enough, and I seem to pick put something new each time. Fantastic. Congratulations and thank you for sharing this with us mortals. regards Thomas

Fantastic piece Mervyn! - and a really juicy bit of research ignited by some nice clear clues ... please keep us informed. regards Thomas

The sword is in very good condition, and has its frog, portepee and leather scabbard The three medals are the South African Police Medal for Faithful Service (# SA 44 in Medal Year Book) - instituted 1963. I am guessing that it is paired with the 10 year service certificate. the second is the South African Police Star for Faithful Service (# SA 45) - instituted 1979, and here I am placing it with the 20 year certificate. The third medal is the SAP 75th Anniversary Medal. All the medals are named. I have blanked out the recipient's name in the photographs only because that is how they were advertised, and I am a little unsure if I should now show it - but I suppose the items are legally mine ... best regards Thomas

Hello Mervyn, and Gentlemen & Ladies - I hope you dont mind me posting this here but it seems appropriate. I picked this little collection up at a recent auction - sword, three medals and two accompanying certificates to a Major in the SAP. I am assuming retired now. The sword is etched with the old SA Coat of Arms and a Soligen logo, otherwise the sword is very similar to the one shown by you.

Hello Mervyn - Very nice group. The Southern Africa Medal - I think it is the first type, having the "uniface" suspender (one side is flat) which makes the group even a little bit more special - but I think that who ever mounted these medals seems to have got the medal on backwards? Another group with an anomaly for the "purist / traditionalist" and the "leave-it-alone-as-he-wore-it" groups to discuss... regards Thomas

Hello Gentlemen - Just a quick post to let you know that I am still following this thread, and with great interest at that, and trying hard to remember (or at least remember where to be able to re-read) all this information. I knew that the WWI Victory Medal is a collecting avenue all of its own, but I had NO idea of the number of variations of the medals themselves, never mind the "smorgasbord" of American bars! I have but one American Victory medal, and I am really taken with it. I think it is a really handsome medal and from what I can garner from this thread it seems to be a "good" one ... Please keep on posting. It is really a great, and interesting, thread. Thank you all. Best regards Thomas

Hello - Those photos are fantastic. I have a few of my father in uniform, 1942, and yes they do look very amateurish, almost as if they are coloured in using colour pencils. Do you know the name of the technique used? How this "clouring-in" was achieved? regards Thomas

Hello Justin - The best site that I have come across as far as helping to identify fake WWII campaign stars is North East Medals - http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/ Follow the links through Medal Guides - Britain. I think you will be impressed! regards Thomas

Hello Gentlemen, and welcome Don - I hope you get a response to your request. you will be amazed at what knowledge is stored away in some of the member's grey matter .. Another medal to my little collection. The Army Temperance Association: India 4 year medal (ATAI.4 in Mr Harris's book). The crown, the ATA and the roman IV are gilded. The ATA is on a raised dome, hence the difficulty with focus when scanning. An interesting note in "the book" is that on the RATA.4 (Royal Army Temperance Association 4 year medal) can only be distinguished from the ATAI.4 in medals hallmarked after 1905. These medals carry additional marks "GK&S" and "JAR". Mine has only a single lion - regards Thomas

And the reverse of those medals ... The intricate detail to these medals is only really appreciated once one starts looking really really closley... and the doves Regards Thomas

And the reverse of those medals ... The intricate detail to these medals is only really appreciated once one starts looking really really closley... and the doves Regards Thomas

Hello Gentlemen - Here are my two Italian Vics. One small and one big. The mini differs most obviously by its ribbon, suspension and of course, the detail. The million dollar question to those of us without "the bible" is which of these would the full size be .... ? Italy: Official Type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Reissue 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, 4, at least 3 Repro Types.

Naming photos ... The BSAM - The CGH GSM - The QSA - I cant beleive I missed the D.E.O.V.R, not C, on the CGH GSM! And then the early number 178 on the QSA !!!

I am going to try to list the naming of the medals again - try to get it a bit neater. I don't know why, or where, the gobble-de-gook came out with the first effort ... The British South Africa Company Medal - Trp A.H. Rendell Matab Rlf Fce The Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal - Trp A.H. Rendell D.E.C.V.R. - with Bechuanaland Bar The Queen's South Africa Medal - Trp A.H. Rendell Kimberley Lt Horse - with Defemce of Kimberley & Orange Free State clasps The Kimberley Star - un-named - hallmarked "c" I shall post photos of the naming at a later stage. regards Thomas

Close ups of The Queen's South Africa Medal - Defence of Kimberley & Orange Free State clasps The Kimberley Star Really close up of the Star's hallmarks ... I shall endevour to add more info as time allows. Please feel free to add any information you may have with regard to our man A.H. Rendell, (Mervyn has already found him in the Kimberley Siege book - but listed as A.H. RINDALL , so name variations do occur), but information regarding the various regiments etc that are listed would be great too. regards Thomas

The promised close ups ... British South Africa Company Medal Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal - Bechuanaland Bar

Hello all - I recently purchased this stunning medal group of four on auction. By no means a bargain, but I was out for an investment and have always wanted to own a Kimberley Star. To get a really nice group too is a great bonus. The naming of the medals:<BR>&nbsp;The British South Africa Company Medal - Trp A.H. Rendell Matab Rlf Fc(which I assume is short for Matabele Relief Force).<BR><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>&nbsp;The Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal - Trp A.H. Rendell D.E.C.V.R. - with the Bechuanaland Bar<BR>&nbsp; The Queen's South Africa Medal - Trp A.H. Rendell Kimberley Lt Horse - with the Defence of Kimberley &amp; Orange Free State clasps<BR></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>&nbsp;The Kimberley Star - un-named - hallmarked "c"<BR></FONT></FONT><BR>Close ups to follow.<BR><BR>Regards<BR>Thomas&nbsp;