peter monahan

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

Owen While the 3rd Battalion was present and must have qualified for the Egypt Medal in 1882, the period Francis was in country is not covered by any of the bars to the Egypt Medal, so he likely did not qualify. The Camel Corps, to the best of my limited knowledge, was an ad hoc unit made up of volunteers [or 'voluntold'] from various units. A prime target for faked multi-bar medals, its not clear to me that there was ever a permanent roll of serving members, but on balance its very unlikely that he served with it, as the 3rd must have been garrison troops by then. The Naval and Military Press has a selection of books on the various campaigns 1882-1885 in Egypt, but not likely anything as detailed as to mention replacement troops as late as 1887. I feel afe in saying, however, that its pretty unlikely Francis had a gong for that bit of his service. Peter

The cigarette case is lovely, and I like the collection of badges he wore. [thumbs up]

Monty was known for husbanding his men and resources till he had a substantial advantage over his immediate opponents so... Would he have waited until there was evidence the bombardment had done its work and suppressed the German machine guns and artillery? Perhaps. Used the rolling barrage to better effect? Probably. A different battle, I think. Though perhaps not much different ultimate outcome, just less murderous for the British.

Lest we forget.

Both superb examples!

Ilja Thank you for sharing these. Do you have any information on the 'l'Ordre de l'Arc en Ciel' [Rainbow Order] ansd what it ia awarded for? It's very colourful!

And the extra holes in the corners for an extra secure attachment - sewed on - which was not a feature of the original issues. Very interesting piece!

In answer to your question about Private Francis and other possible medal entitlements, I suspect the answer is 'no'. Single campaign medals are not rare, even for 12 year men and the 3rd Battalion seems to have had a fairly peaceful last quarter of the century. Some men were with the Camel Corps in the Egypt campaign and qualified for the medal with 'The Nile 1884-85' and 'Abu Klea' bars. They seem then to have gone to India and were there through to the end of 1902 at least.

Very common with foreign awards: either confusion, self aggrandizement or even a replacement piece, using what was available, either by the recipient, his family or some subsequent owner of the group.

Excellent! Thank you for posting these, Antonio.

Nope, the caption is wrong, as you suggest. Pretty typical of "We need a photo, with a tank in it..." by editors who aren't subject specialist. Just leafed through the Smithsonian's new book on WWI and found 3 errors on a single page, all in photo captions. And I wasn't even looking. One was similar - page on 1915 showing gear not issued till 1917.

Only awarded to the RAF, 30, 55, 70 an 84 Squadrons. Got nothing else.