peter monahan

Yes, 1843 and after sounds right. Hadn't thought of the hall marks, as I suppose subconsciously I was thinking 'nickel steel rather than sterling. Well done, that man!

Interesting theory - seems logical but goes against that most sacred of cows 'tradition'. Of course, the old rules didn't seem to cover such things: one was either and most commonly a soldier OR one was a civilian and had one's medals issued to one or the other by one or the other sets of rules. Yes, a look at the full size set would be very instructive.

I have not been able to find a source in English YET but it seems that the French, essentially invented the rolling barrage, not Sir Arthur Currie as we Canadians prefer to believe. I also understand - again, looking for detailed sources en anglais that they were able to take the majority of their objectives on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, advancing behind rolling barrages. If true, a significant datum. Clearly, at Vimy, the barrage had an effect. One source I recently read suggests that the 15 minute trip from the German cooking areas to the forward positions had become a 6 hour trip by the end of the pre-assault barrage! Clearly, along with the effect on morale of lack of food, the supplies of ammo and reinforcements, and the evacuation of the wounded must have been similarly complicated by the shelling in the lead up to the Canadian assault.

Victorian pouch to the 14th Hussars. Not my field so I'm not sure on details but would have expected the eagle an officer's belt to be gilt rather than brass so I'll stick my neck out and go with OR's kit. The Prussian eagle is peculiar to the regiment - awarded to them in 1798 to mark their having escorted Princess Frederica of Prussia from Dover to London to marry Frederick, Duke of Kent. And the cipher is hard to make out but looks like a variation on "VRI" which would date it from 1798 to whenever the reg't switched ciphers after Victoria's death - probably the early 1900s. By the style, later in that period rather than earlier, but that's a guess. A lovely thing!

Sounds a bit fishy then. I do know that civilian contractors could qualify, and quite probably some of them are ex-military, but would they have gotten a second gong or a bar to the first?

'Tommy' I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer, The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here." The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die [Rudyard Kipling] In many respectable households in Victorian England - and not by any means just the titled ones - having a son join the Army was considered only slightly less shameful than having a daughter go 'on the game'. It's referred to in both histories and fiction and might very well explain why a young man of the middle class, or perhaps from a chapel going family, would choose not to use his own name on enlistment. Or perhaps he'd had a run in with the law and wanted a fresh start. Fascinating puzzle. Please keep us posted on any more finds, Timo. Peter

I'm with Chris. It will let a lot of folks who would never read a book on WWI know that there were moments of sanity and humanity amidst the madness. The proceeds from the chocolate sales go to the Legion and if people buy extra stuff from the company, good on the company for having done this! And Happy Christmas all! Peter

There is a Canadian team photographing chalk carvings in one of the underground shelters in France - 3D scans so sensitive they'll pick up the overlay of grease if you touch the chalk - and reproducing the badges. Some of the work was done by a mason who worked on HRH estates before the war, then came to Canada. The reproduced badges will go on display/tour soon, I think. I'll try and keep all y'all posted.

Fabulous! If I sell one of my two blonde daughters, can I make a down payment?

Men of the 15th Sikhs and 129th Baluchis of the Lahore Brigade and some Gurkhas in what is probably a staged photo of trench digging. All used in an exhibit which I curated this summer on the Indian Army in the Great War.

Paul Thank you. That does help. Shall have to sift through the Gazette myself when I get some time. Off to a job interview today - Christmas help in a book store, which should be right up my alley if I can land it, and more money for trinkets and treasures too! Peter

You may well be right, Paul. Obviously the dead 'uns are easier to research - an absolutely obscene notion which some collectors I know cling to. The bit of ribbon on the BWM is well worn but of course one can't say when it was put on and the VM is ribbon less. And, as you say, not an uncommon name. Rather at a loss now as to how to try and research further.

A lovely piece, with 'honest wear', as I'd expect for something of that age. Thanks for sharing!

Paul Good theory. In fact, his records state "RFC" and "Essex Reg't seconded to RFC". However, The medals were obviously awarded after the formation of the RAF from the RFC and, for whatever reason, named to the new organization. Believe it or not, some WWI medals to Indian Army recipients are named to the post 1922 units with which they served, probably an indication of how long it took Indian Mint to issue the medals.

Well done, Lambert. Where did you put it on? A gallery of some sort?

Going through a small coin shop in a large mall in Toronto [Ontario, Canada] I spotted three single Victory Medals, no ribbons, marked $25.00 each. The top one was to 'Lieut. L. H. Smith, RAF'. In a case across the shop were four single BWMs, each with a stub of ribbon. One was to Smith. The total for the two medals: $75.00 Canadian. Here is some information: Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps and Essex Regiment. Cemetery: CITY OF LONDON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM, MANOR PARK Grave Reference: 145. 85894 Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Smith; husband of Malny Hale Smith, of 25, Pembury Rd., Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. Essex Regt attached RFC 2Lt. Lt. Essex Regt Pte. Essex Regt 2140 Pte WO 372/18/162902 Supplement to the London Gazette, 27 January, 1915, p 890 6th Battalion, The Essex Regiment The undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants dated 28 January, 1915. Private Leonard Hale Smith The odd thing is that Smith is listed in the Canadian Great War Project database, which lists many Canadian WWI dead. However, other than the location of the medals and that fact, there is no obvious Canadian connection. Obviously, searching the 1911 Census of Canada for all the L Smiths is out, as the info. is arranged geographically, so I'm rather at a stand still. Any suggestions gratefully received! Peter

Sorry, posted in error. Haka.html

No slur on the Irish intended! I'm from Irish stock myself. It just seemed an odd to have left Tipperary for the new land, presumably due to the lack of opportunities at home, and have ended up going back to farming from the relatively high status job of bank accountant. But perhaps he just got homesick.

Owen Turned up my 4th edition British Battles and Medals [by Major L.L.Gordon] which has a little more info. on the Camel Corps. There were, apparently, a Heavy Camel Reg't, drawn from the Life Guards and other Dragoon regt's; the Light Camel Reg't drawn from the Hussar reg'ts, a Guards Camel Reg't which drew on the Foot Guards and RMLI and the Mounted Infantry Camel Reg't, which included men from the Rifle Brigade. The standard levy appears to have been 2 officers and 45 ORs from each unit, so again, very unlikely that Francis was involved. I'm quite surprised how hard it has been to get information on the Camel Corps, but that seems to confirm my suspicion that it was a very impromptu organization and that, likely, records were minimal to begin with. Still, as Irish points out, an IGS for the Tochi expedition is nothing to sneer at - all the excitement I'd need if I'd done 12 years service, thank you very much!

Taras - it seems as if you're right - a political organization or party by the look of it.

I must say, the tattoed tongue-out face at the top of the badge is unusual even by the standards of British Imperial badges! Very interesting!

Paul The coloured backing on the rank pips is/was a British custom, adopted by the Canadians and the pink/purple is particular to the RCAMC I believe. Peter

"not on active service on account of being medically unfit. Engaged in recruiting service. Subsequent occupation – farming in Ireland." I'm betting that the word got round Edmonton about exactly why he was medically unfit and he gave up banking to return to Ireland. A heavy price to pay for his 'poor life choice'.

Yes, impressive and intimidating both. Well done, sir!

Jerry You describe the Viscount as "a very colourful character-he was somewhat of an eccentric". I do so love your sense of restraint and diplomatic phrasing! Pace Jock, I'd have described him as a 'raving loonie'! Peter