peter monahan

Most of the CEF battalions numbered over about '50', I think, were broken up in the UK and used to reinforce the first 25 or so regiments. I had a great uncle who inlisted in the 155th [bay of Quinte - Ontario] Bttln who went to the 21st as well after his UK training. The Mounted Rifles were dismounted early in the conflict. It was also the case that many regiments raised in 1917 and later never reached large enough numbers to be effective as units, some going over with as few as 350-400 men on the rolls.

I do own one large rectangular oil lantern, about 12" high by 4" x 6", with a door and a reflector. I got it second hand and the ijiot who owned it before me had thrown out the burner unit and stuck candles in the hole in the top of the reservoir. I did that for a bit too but eventually got a new burner unit, which works after a fashion, though it smokes a good bit. Anyway, I mention that because it has two strips of brass running the length of the bottom - think inverted 'L' in cross section - and there is a flange around the base of the reservoir, which tapers inwards as it rises, so the reservoir is gripped firmly and cannot topple over. very ingenious and sensible!

It is very easy, for me at least, to think of the POW camps as places of safety, if 'not very nice' to live in and, of course, the scene of much derring do by the escape committees. I am always a bit shocked to be reminded both how nasty many of them were - poor and inadequate food, abysmal health care, etc - and of the fact that they had their share of collaborators, crooks and just plain nasty men! These accounts are fascinating as a real 'reality check' - windows into a seldom seen corner of the war.

It's interesting that all the names on the Menin Gate memorial are typical Gurkha names: Rai, Gurung and so on, while all of the names on the other memorials appear to be Muclim, presumably Pathans and PMs. That strongly suggests, as already mentioned, that the drafts sent to other unbits during the Great Wat were 'sorted' by ethnicity and/or religion. Peter

An 1822 Light Cavalry sword in our collection has some 'active' - red/orange - rust on the blade just below the hilt. I suspect that the chape of the scabbard is trapping moisture and causing the problem. I was, shall I say, 'surprised' when the curator said she was unsure what to do about this, so I thought before I made suggestions I would check with the learned gentlemen on this forum. Suggestions? Peter

I wonder what percentage of the Brunei police force are Gurkhas or Sikhs. Maybe none, but those two groups were the 'cops of choice' for many years in that part of the world and Brunei's Gurkha Reserve Unit is made up of men retired from Britain's Brigade of Gurkhas, who have a battalion permanently stationed there and from the Singapore police Force's Gurkha Contingent, an elite unit of that state's police. Here's a link to a British Armed Forces tv clip on the life of Gurkhas in Brunei. Sounds like a good billet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FlqDjZuxP0

Given the numerous mentions of the state of Mali in the news, I thought it fitting to bring this excellent thread, by our own international expert, Megan, to the top of the list again. Here is what she posted in July 2009: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/38475-mali/?hl=mali And here is some information on two of those awards which may be relevant to the current situation. Order of Military Merit Knight The order was instituted on the 25th September 1974 and awarded for meritorious service and distinction in combat. The Mali Federation gained independence from France on June 20, 1960. Senegal withdrew from the federation in August 1960, which allowed the Sudanese Republic to form the independent nation of Mali on September 22, 1960. Military Merit Medal: Instituted 25th September 2009. Awarded: To enlisted ranks for 15 years' meritorious service and distinction in combat, [or] to all receiving one or more wounds in combat. Peter Monahan, Moderator

Chris Your first collection gives new meaning to the term "eclectic"! Though I can still detect the Germano-phile strain in it. Ah, weren't those the days?

Hey hey hey! Do I talk about you and the pitcher of Planter's Punch? That poor girl is still looking for her... Oh, sorry! Never mind. Michael, to semi-explain the inside joke, was not only present but a willing accomplice when I persuaded the Dean of Residence at my university to let me keep a fully finctional Martini Henry rifle in my room, after a completely specious assurance that I'd remove the firing pin. Of course, on the plus side of the ledger, I now know how to remove a 'Tini firing pin and have a much better appreciation of one of Rudyard Kipling's stories of Private terence Mulvaney and the dire consequences of fiddling with the 'internal economy' of one's rifle.

On a related note, the Indian Military History Society, of which I was a co-founder in te early 1980s is still alive and well in the UK. Thay have joined the wired world too, with a website at: http://imhs.org.uk/. The Secretary, Mr Tony McLenahan, is tremendously helpful to earnest seekers after knowledge. And a final footnote: mention was made of the perpetuation of the old regimental customs and traditions. Skinners', like a number of other Indian Army armoured/cavalry regiments have chosen to ignore the current political orthodoxy in India, which describes the Indian Mutiny as the 'first Indian war of independence' and have not only kept a mounte dsquadron and the full dress unifotms of the 'Yellow Boys' but also the battle honours from the Mutiny! To quote a very funny video out of the UK, "Bugger the bankers and politicians too!" Peter

Toolkit I suspect the fact that no more info. has been posted here means no, but hard to say for sure: not all memebers stay on and re-read every thread as you've cleary done.

Lovely! I recall when I was young and foolish being less than impressed by 'all that paper' that came with some groups, but now that I look for the man behind the uniform/award, this sort of stuff is priceless. Thanks for sharing.

If I had to guess, and based on what I know of military life, especially at the front, after the parade and pinning, some sergeant from HQ Company would have the lads gather round and hand out the relevant documents. A bit like mail call, perhaps. At which point the lads in question would either toss them over one shoulder or stow them neatly in a pocket in case they might need paper at some point to roll smokes or use as bum wipe. There are records of British sailors in the late 18th century and when the concept of medals, at least to Other Ranks was fairly new, being handed pewter medals, realizing they were not silver and therefore not saleable, and tossing them straight over the side. Others - winners of the privately made Nile Medal - used to nail them to the mast of their ship and, if transferred, pry them off and repeat elsewhere. I know by War Two that the attitude to awards had 'matured' somewhat but I don't see front line Landsers being very impressed by paperwork of any sort. Clearly, the number of awards which have kept their paperwork attached over the decades is a tiny percentage of the total and while some were probably binned by relatives or later owners, I strongly suspect that trend began with the original recipients.

I would have expected a Gaunt made badge to be marked that way, but I'm certainly not an expert. It is, as you say, a lovely piece of work and would look well in any collection of RFC/RAF items.

I think Frank is correct: some people consider it an abomination, others don't care much at all. I tend to the first view, though I would rather phrase it as "We'd rather you didn't, old chap." than 'Die, heretic!" but it is a personal preference. I suspect however, that plating lowers the value of the group. Impossible to say by how much, but it certainly doesn't turn a good group or medal to dreck. Certainly for the purist collectors and perhaps if one were auctioning them, as auction houses tend to hew the museum and numismatic line: any deliberate alteration is a BAD THING! On the other hand, a father son set will always be sale-able, so I wouldn't lose in sleep over it. They're for your collection, so if you like them, that's what counts. Peter

"Fools and their money are swiftly parted." is an old saying that doesn't get used, IMHO, nearly often enough these days! The walk among us! Peter

Indeed! Thanks for bringing it to the top of the list again.

US commander of the American contingent [was there one?] in 1901?

That is a lovely group indeed. The 3 bar IGS particularly caught my attention - I have an interest in all things Imperial Indian. Can't wait the see the details of his career when you find the time/research. Peter

An excellent outcome, then. And a good start to 2013, I suspect. [i'm a sucker for happy endings! } Peter

Gerry I'm sure Mervyn will consider your request with care. He is one of the true gentlemen still in circulation and tirelessly devoted to promoting both the collecting of militaria and the knowledge which is associated with each and every item. Peter

I don't know enough about it to comment on this particular badge but there is a lot of repro. stuff out there for scarce & desirable units, of which the RFC would definitely be one. I'd suggest you post it on the British Badge Forum [ http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/ ] in the 'Royal Flying |Corps and Royal Air Force' forum. If the lads there don't know it, it isn't to be known. Good luck - I hope it pans out for you. Peter

I would think a spare Order of Menelik would be a challenge, while the Dutch one should be commoner and therefore easier. Peter

Did one have to DO anything to get the Allied decorations or were four limbs, a pulse and the rank badges enough? No insult intended to you, Diwe, or your man, but presumably the Belgian General Staff had a few 'duds', just like every other military organization in recorded history. I would think that someone who just didn't make the cut, for whatever reason, would be statistically more likely than an officer of general rank being in a POW camp. But just my two cents worth. Another intriguing puzzle and this group has pretty good track record on this sort of thing. [fingers crossed] Peter

In some of the rural places near where I live, the groom is the one in the clean overalls! Too many people with family wreaths instead of family trees.