regimentalrogue

Some time ago, I was forwarded a copy of the piece titled "The Veteran on the Ten Dollar Bill". The item just seemed a little too neat and I started to check a few facts that were presented.

• The BEF in France did not total 400,000 men, but all of the Allies involved in the battle did. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dunkirk )
• The HMS Grenade itself was sunk during the evacuation at Dunkirk, and one of her sister ships was also sunk, the Grafton (they were among a total of 9 British and French destroyers sunk) (http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4396.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_evacuation)
• The Bismark was sunk on 27 May 1941 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck), which was long before the landings in Northern Africa on 8 Nov 1942 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch)
• And I do wonder why the anonymous government official wouldn't have found a Canadian veteran for this photo op.
• If the veteran wrote a book on his experiences, it is very unusual that the original reporter didn't mention the book's title (or the veteran's name).

I certainly don't mean to sound critical, because the story brings forward all of the emotions we are supposed to feel at reading such a heart-warming tale. It would be nice to know who the veteran on the bill really is, and what his own story might be.

For saltpetre:

From Wikipedia: Potassium nitrate

Potassium nitrate is the main component (usually about 98%) of tree stump remover, as it accelerates the natural decomposition of the stump.^[9] It is also commonly used in the heat treatment of metals as a solvent in the post-wash. The oxidizing, water solubility and low cost make it an ideal short-term rust inhibitor.

Amazon.com: Tree Stump Remover

For sulphur samples, in stable crystal forms:

http://www.minfind.com/search.php?qs=Sulphur

WW1 pair to Indian Army Major.

I have two of his awards - BWM and VM.

I am sure this one is impossible to research but still nice set.

Text on the rim; "Major A.E.B.IND."

With some creative searching, you should also be able to track his career through the London Gazette. For example (note the alternative spelling of "Brice"):

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 NOVEMBER, 1914

6th Battalion, The Prince of Wales' s (North Staffordshire Regiment). - Algernon Edward Brice Ind (late Major, 6th Battalion (The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment)), to be Major. Dated 2nd October, 1914

Try searching for "A. E. I. Ind", results include:

THE LONDON GAZETTE, DECEMBER 23, 1902.

2nd Volunteer Battalion, The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire. Regiment}, Lieutenant A. E. B. Ind to be Captain. Dated 24th December, 1902,

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 26 JUNE, 1915.

ATTACHED TO HEADQUARTER UNITS. - ROYAL ARTILLERY.

Brigade Majors — Captain C. O. Langley, 6th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment, Territorial Force, vice Captain A. E. B. Ind, 6th Battalion, The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment), Territorial Force. Dated 17th April, 1915.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 7 JUNE, 1917.

War Office,

1th June, 1917.

TERRITORIAL FORCE. - INFANTRY.

North Staffs. Reg. — Maj. (temp.) A. E. B. Ind to be Maj., with precedence as from 2nd Oct. 1014, and to remain seconded. 8th June 1917.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 14 NOVEMBER, 1918

North Staffs. Regt. - Maj. A. E. B. Ind is restored to the estbt., remaining in his present employt. 15th Nov. 1918.

For future reference, the Canadian terms of reference for Battle Honours:

Canadian Army Battle Honours

• G.O. 6 / 1928 - Conditions of Award of Battle Honours for The Great War 1914-1919
• 33-1 Second World War Battle Honours
• 33-1 Battle Honours - United Nations Operations - Korea 1950-1953

Speculation may drive medal prices to new heights during the centennial of the Great War, but what happens after 2018? Some medals may trade at increasing prices for a few years, but after 2018 when only the long term collectors are buying, there may be a lot of people surprised to learn that their hyped purchase prices won't hold in a market consisting of just the collectors as the spur of the moment types have moved on to the next fad. And for those folks, they'll probably sell them off for whatever they can get once the novelty of having "a Great War trio just like Great-Granddad would have worn" wears off. I suspect at least some collectors, who may be used to recent steady rises in prices, will simply sit back for a while and waiting for the market to restore itself to the current trajectory. (Then again, there is always the sacrifice to be made when a "must have" shows itself on the market, and those medals will undoubtedly constitute the exceptions.)