peter monahan

Oooww! That is pretty! Very nice acquisition indeed, Robert. Thank you for sharing it. Peter

According to Major Gordon, a quick though not 100% accurate source on things Asian, there were 11 infantry, 6 cavalry, and 6 RAF squadrons, plus Gunners and various support units, who qualified for the IRAQ bar. Many of those will have been on the NWF in 1919, plus the transferred officer mentioned above and those Indian units who did qualify for a Victory Medal. Apparently the rolls are available on the open shelves at the National Archives but that's more info. than you'd need. Naval Military Press will happily sell you a copy of Gordon's 7th edition, the most complete and correct one for that era and area, but it doesn't appear to be available on line.

I'm afraid Odulf is correct - without an unusual foreign award or a stranger combination than this the number of possible recipients could easily number in the dozens at least.

Harsh, Frank, harsh! Not necesarily wrong, mind you, but harsh! Apologoes to the Moderatort and all for bringing politics into it. Again!

Thank you for the synopsis, Kit. Interesting unit history! Are you a veteran of the unit, or simply an interested historian?

Any markings on the back of the buttons? Even Roman vs Cyrillic alphabet would provide some info., as I assume there are no QM stamps inside it. Perhaps check inside the pocket flaps and inside of belt for markings as well

I tend to agree with Jeff, that the inspiration - if that's the right word! - for these is British, so almost certainly ex colonies and sub-Saharan Africa seems a good bet. The eagle [?] shouldn't be too hard to pin down.

very classy!

Kit I can't get the link to work, hence my questions on your other post.

I wonder whether he suffered a chest wound, or gas attack, which was determined to have weakened his heart so that the death so much later was 'service related'. An application for his medical file - which does cost a few dollars - would probably answer the question. Interesting!

Apparently not a separatist!

I've never heard of this unit! perhaps you can share a little of what you do have, Kit? When were they formed and do they still exist?

Nice shots, Ilja! Thanks for sharing. That's a very odd suspender on the last medal.

Vladimir Welcome to the GMIC and the Africa forum! We hope you will be able to share some of your collecting interests and knowledge with our members. There is one post in this forum on Firefighter medals in Africa, with some information on Nigeria: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/53715-fire-service-medals-of-africa/?hl=%2Bfire+%2Bbrigade#entry497628 If you go to that spot you can also connect with the person who posted that thread and perhaps he will have more, new formation on African fire brigades. Also, if you go to the British Commonwealth forum we have members in South Africa who may have information on that country. Again, welcome to our club! Peter Monahan Moderator

The 219th Highland Battalion (Nova Scotia), which I,m assuming was his regiment, was recruited in 1916, went to England in October that year and were eventually transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion or the 85th battalion. Can't find any casualties to the 85th on the CWG site - it isn't recognizing the unit name for some reason, but they suffered heavily at Vimy and may have been gassed at some later date. Or there may have been a lingering wound or infection - not all the year's after deaths were gas, though it was a common cause.

We can hope, now that they have been framed with a photo that some descendant will think 'Oh, might be worth keeping!' or at least 'Oh, not trash.' I suspect that at the very least you've increased the chances that they medal won't get turned into bullion or a brooch, Frank. Well done!

Very nice, Irish. The Quebec RGA has a long and distinguished history - mostly of guarding Quebec City, of course. I believe it and the St. John battery both pre-date 1855 as local volunteer units, 1855 being the 'official birthdate' of the Canadian Army for various arcane and political reasons. Never heard of the Guelph unit though. There were apparently gunners in Wellington County, where Guelph is, before 1855 as well but the Howitzer Brigade was created in 1913, just in time for WWI. Very classy cards!

I agree with the notion of Georgian dating - gilt brass makes sense. I still can't see where on a person it would be worn, unless it was originally flat and someone has bent it for some reason - far too regular to be accidental. Very interesting piece!

"Coffee - HOT" Making the world safer for idiots!

Here is another photograph of the flag to which Stephen refers above, which was of course in the previous photograph as well.

Patrick Oh, that's lovely! Clearly you have a large collection room to display these. And an understanding partner?

The crown all by itself is odd for a regimental badge. It looks from the photo to be copper rather than brass/bronze. is that the case, or a function of light plus tarnish? If copper, I'd think civilian not British Army but either way I'd tend to horse tack or some form of belting rather than an officer's cross belt, as the fastenings don't look right for a cross belt plate, which had hooks or stubs on the back to fix them in one spot on the belt. This would slide if it were worn on a shoulder belt and regimental waist belts are rare, I think, before the 1830s.

You might try AbeBooks or its equivalent for the SAHR books. It's amazing what's out there, if one has deep pockets. peter

I'd tend to agree with Paul -possible but unlikely. The issues you point out, Jeff, seem to suggest a put together group as well. Sorry!

It's nice to be the only local expert - snagged a few bargains myself that way back in the day: "$20.00 and you don't even know what it is! Take $10.00?" That was for a hallmarked sterling badge to the Surma Valley Light Horse - a very stylized 'SVLH', at a very minor show in southern Ontario years ago.