Thomas Symmonds

One of the many who went to "get the job done". Thank you. RIP

Hello Gentlemen. There are a few "Zulu War" medals for sale on this site at the moment, including a couple for the campaigns of 1934-53. African Military Connection Regards Thomas

Hello All. Thanks to everyone who has posted here. So Chris, you actually met the bloke who owns that arm? Do you have an interesting story to share? The shoulder badge, is that an Aloe or a "grenade fired" with the bottom covered up? And another question - Bison, could you enlighten me more on the "famous" part of the "another pic of the famous 'Kolwezi' special bar" ? Again, thank you to all. regards Thomas

Hello Mervyn, and Gentlemen. I won't be quite as emphatic as Rick there, but along the same train of thought perhaps - Why was it necessary to indicate if one was "on duty" or "off"? I wouldn't imagine that if a, say victim of a mugging, came running up to our "off duty" policeman, he (or she) would hold up the hand and say, "Hold on chum - I am off duty", while pointing to the armband. Or is it a case of, like the big head gear, being conspicuous and preventing crime that way? Interesting item though, and worn up until recently too. regards Thomas

A closer photo of the reverse ...

Hello Gentlemen. I have posted a similar thread on the European Medals: France forum, and the topic is the same here. I picked up these medals a few years ago because I think they are beautiful awards, but now I think I need to find out if they are genuine or fakes. I would appreciate your comments and opinions. If you need me to get better / closer please let me know. regards Thomas

Hello Gentlemen. I picked these up a couple of years ago because the award has always intrigued me, and they look damn attractive. But before I can bring them out at some show-and-tell I need to know if, in your opinions, they are good or bad, genuine or fakes. If the photos dont show you some thing specific let me know and I shall see what I can do. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing your posts. regards Thomas

Northeast Medals - Zulu wars This is a fantastic site to visit regards Thomas

Hello Jeff. Yes they do exist, along with clasps for 1877, 1877-8, 1877-8-9, 1878, 1878-9 & 1879 I believe the rarity comes from it being issued to colonial forces only. Sorry, I dont have one, but I do have the 1877-8-9. regards Thomas (really)

Hello Gentlemen. I am now wiser to the subtle workings of this great EPSON machine and am able to let youhave a better look at this document. A full translation ... The Fuehrer has presented you with the medal for German National Culture in recognition for your service in this field. It is an honour for me as your District Commmander to present you with this document of distinction. Your service in the NSDAP's Foreign Organisations framework has helped spread the National Socialistic German Culture. This is proved by your Comrades' willingness to sacrifice for this cause in these hard times that we live in. I will always remeber your unselfish willingness to contribute. Heil Hitler I would appreciate it if some one could post a photo of this particular award if they have one. Below is a cutting from a newspaper at the time of Bohle's capture, and a photo of him on trial copied from Wikipedia. A link to that site....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Wilhelm_Bohle

Whoops, Uncle Mervyn does this mean you have slipped up? I read else where that you had had a fall - too fast round a corner on your wheel chair? I hope not to serious ... Unit8, any chance of a few photos to show us the aloe and protea ? regards Thomas

And now it gets exciting - I am generally only partially read on most of these forum topics, so I enjoy a good discussion where "facts" are compared. (Timothy, welcome on board - to a Gentlemen's club ...) regards Thomas

Welcome aboard Gordon (steelbonnet). Any chance of a few photgraphs. Pictures speak ALOT louder here. regards Thomas

Thank you Jeff. Just read it to mom. We have tears in our eyes. Apparently he just never fitted in after the war and ended up wrapping himself around a tree while driving home late one evening. He did mention that he was well looked after by an Italian family, and generally by the Italians. I shall endevour to try to replicate his medal set and mount it, along with this photo and write up. Any idea on other details? Thanks again. regards, Thomas

cap close up. Sorry photos not great.

Close ups of the above post photo ... Thanks for the help best regards Thomas

Hello Gentlemen. My mother will never cease to AMAZE me! This evening I learn that my uncle, on my mother's side, received a DFC. "Oh it was so long ago, and he was so troubled after the war... I never really thought about it... uh, are you really interested?" His medals have long gone astray, but I have a photo of the award ceremony. I would greatly appreciate any and all comments. Believe me there will be no teaching-mother-to-sucks-eggs here. My RAF knowledge is sadly limited. His name, DEREK RONALD BOND, nick-named BONZO BOND. The DFC was awarded (according to dear mom) for keeping his burning plane flying while the crew parachuted out, before getting out himself. (Dear old mom) remembers the incident taking place over Italy. Other details you might pick from the photos.

"Wow! Very nice busby, I like it!" - agreed! Could we get a close up of the badge ? Welcome to the forum rmr. regards Thomas

Mervyn, I would agree with your initial take, that it is an Italian M1891 (Carcano), just with a bent quillon. Interesting that your bayonet has brass-mounted scabbard, initial issue I think. I have only seen the all-steel variety. regards Thomas

Good morning gentlemen. I realise that this thread has gone off on a wee tangent. I hope to bring it back with a later post or two, but for now let me indulge this line a little bit longer. Will, I came across this article this morning in our local Sunday paper. It is good to see that there are still people out there who are trying to preserve our heritage, and making a meaningful difference while doing it! http://www.thetimes.co.za/Sport/Article.aspx?id=1024753 Regards Thomas

Hello Mervyn. Thank you for your reply earlier, sorry I am only picking up on it now. I suppose, following on that the headgear has traditional roots, and that if one were to change to "practical designs" and as you say "use only flat caps and everyone looks like a traffic warden", the element of deterrent-by-recognition disappears too. Rather stop the crime from even happening just by being recognisable. Thank you for the lessons, Teach. best regards Thomas

Hello all. I just recently asked a question of Mervyn regarding "The Trooping of the Colours". I had a vague idea that it was some sort of military parade and the name had rung a bell somewhere, but I was not sure. He was a little taken aback that I was not familiar with the ceremony celerbrating the Queen's birthday. My train of thought here is that most vandals of memorials, military or any other area, are perhaps not aware of the historical importance of the site, but lack the personal pride too that comes with knowledge of some link to the persons being commemorated. I am not saying that I would trash or vandalise any Trooping of the Colour item, but being aware of what it is makes it that much more interesting, and therefore the chances of me looking after it increases. Knowledge plays such a huge role. I understand the immediate needs of people to put food on their families plates, and I have no easy answer, but the mere fact that there are forums such as this one, means there are people with a passion, and people with passion make great teachers! Preservation of the things that one holds dear starts with telling, and informing, others about them. (I want to keep going but my children need to get to a puppet show ) regards Thomas

" - this is what a policeman used to look like.... " ...very intimidating Mervyn Fantastic photos Mervyn. Post some more. One thing though, if you could educate the ignorant, what is the "Trooping of the Colour" ? best regards Thomas

Powerful and poignant. Thanks for posting the photos. The crosses look in good nick. From the wire mesh it seems the curators have taken care of any bird problems. Would anyone know of any other collection of original grave markers ? Perhaps not even specific to the two world wars ? regards Thomas

Morning gentlemen. Try these guys, www.the-amc.co.za, they tend to have some good stuff, either for sale or auction. regards Thomas