Len

Just a final update on this matter. In the end I reluctantly offered to sell the Miniature group back to the family but they declined the offer feeling that the price was too high. I am happy about that because I actually did not want to sell. I now deem this matter to be closed. Thank you to all who assisted and offered advice and guidance on how to deal with this matter. Regards Len

See picture at beginning of this thread. Regards Len

I was shocked when I received an email this morning! I have responded to Ms Law and we will discuss the issue. Len van der Walt

Hi Guys Yes this is a miniature. Thanks for the feedback so far. Regards Len

Can anyone please help to identify this medal. It appears to be African origin but I am not sure. On the back is the word " Establishment" with what appears to be a Police badge. Thanks you Regards Len

Thanks Spaz. Very interesting. My Dad was in the Permanent Force and I did my National Service including a couple of stints on the " Border " and I never heard the term "blood Flag" One is never to old to learn. Regards Len

Why is this called " Blood Flag"?

I was able to secure the Van Riebeeck Decoration Miniature a while ago. I already had the Medal. This is a beautiful design and very few were issued. Here is an extract from Wikipedia: "The Van Riebeeck Decoration was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 1975. It was awarded to military officers, for distinguished service in the field. The only two recipients were a Cmdt Jan Breytenbach (1972) and Lt Cdr Lambert Woodburne The Van Riebeeck Medal was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 1975. It was awarded to "other ranks" (enlisted men), for distinguished service in the field. Only five were awarded. The Decoration is of silver gilt in the shape of a five-pointed star representing in outline the Castle of Good Hope. Jan van Riebeeck is depicted in relief against a background of three rings representing his three ships, with the words UITNEMENDE DIENS * DISTINGUISHED SERVICE in the outer rings. The Medal is identical but in silver." See attached picture ( Medal on left & Decoration on right)

Wow - You have two walls! I am trying to complete one frame! This is fantastic. You say you have collected medals for many years. As a matter of interest, how long ago did you start? I only started about two years ago and with the price of medals at the moment I would have to win the lottery to eventualy get there! Great Collection

Thanks to everyone for their input. I have learned a lot from this experience and will be better able to assess the next purchase. Incidentally, I was able to renegotiate with the seller and eventually aquired the medal at a much reduced price. The fact that he is named on two different Medal rolls may prove to be interesting in the end even if the medal has been renamed. Regards Len

Thank you very much for the quick response Archer. Is it "normal" for a SGT to have the his name engraved? I always thought that that was reserved for officers only. Would you suggest I keep this medal? I am able to return it to the seller. The medal came with the CC and OFS bars. Is there any reason why his medal would be engraved with Nesbitts Hse and not Marshalls Hse. The renaming concerns me. I am not knowledgeable about these things and that is why I ask all these questions. Thanks for your help so far.

Sorry - I forgot to add that he was a SGT. The inscription reads: SGT T TYGHE NESBITTS HSE

I bought this QSA but I have a feeling that all is not right. 1 I cannot find the name T Tyghe on the medal roll for Nesbitt Horse on the Anglo Boer War website. 2 There is no number on the rim of the medal. 3 The typeset on the rim is not the usual QSA style 4 I have a feeling that the medal may have been renamed. Look at the rim at the bottom of the medal. Please look at the pictures and tell me what you think.

I agree that he deserved this medal!

Only a pleasure! I have had the same experience. A lot of guys willing to help. Regards Len

Here is a picture of my medal.

Hi There Ladybird helped me identify this medal. Look at my content and you will see a similar medal. Below is the answer I got from Ladybird. "The 'jewel' is from a Masonic order.... 'Order of the Secret Monitor' or often referred to as 'Brotherhood of David and Jonathan' This jewel is worn by 2nd degree members. " Regards Len van der Walt

Thanks for the feedback guys - I appreciate it. Hopefully I can display another interesting miniature group soon. Regards Len

Beautiful! I can only wish at this point! Regards Len

I aquired this set of miniatures recently. They are attributed to Lt Col HB Cuming who was Commanding Officer of the Kaffrarian Rifles. The Cape of Good Hope GSM, QSA and KSA are named ! His colleagues had his name engraved on the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration. The QSA has 4 bars - Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen and Wepener. I was very fortunate to get this one. What do you think?

Thanks for the kind words guys! It is appreciated a lot. For those not familiar with the South African Medals, from left to right ( Medal Yearbook reference in brackets): Pro Patria Medal (SA37) - Awarded for defense of the Republic of South Africa & prevention of terrorism General Service Medal (SA39) - Awarded for service within the borders of the Republic of South Africa South African Defence Force Good Service Medal ( Gold ) (SA30) - 30 years Service South African Defence Force Good Service Medal ( Silver ) (SA30) - 20 years Service Permanent Force Good Service Medal (SA29) - 18 Years Service (was replaced by SA30) WW2 Defence Medal (185) WW2 War Medal (186) WW2 Africa Service Medal (189)

My Dad was in the Air Force during WW2 and spent some time in North Africa as well as Italy. I remember my Dad telling me that he missed the Africa Star as well as the 1939-45 Star by "days" After the war he spend a short time working in the private sector and then joined the Army. He was a qualified Armourer ( Gun Tiffie) and retired with the rank of WOI During the Border War my Dad and I ended up spending almost two months together in the same area near Ruacana in South West Africa ( Namibia). I was in the Citizen Force and he was Permanent Force and it was quite a unique experience spending time together in the Operational area. My Dad was not the typical frontline soldier but I remember seeing him with his medals on parade and how proud I was. I had his medals framed a few years ago and I can recall his excitement as he hung them on the wall. Sadly he passed away about a year ago and I received his medals and that re-ignited my interest in medals and now I am a rookie collector.

These are my Miniature groups. Not all can be attributed. I am looking for some good groups. Len

Good advice Mervyn thank you. I have a few groups but at this point I am restricted to what I am allowed to upload. Perhaps some time in the future I will upload them. Thanks again. Regards Len

Thanks Mervyn & Thomas I have decided to go for Full size QSA and ABO medals because they have inherent investment value I believe. I must be honest, at this stage I cannot afford to purchase all the Full size South African medals I want so I decided to go for Full size on these two and the rest I will try to collect with miniatures. I still have a long way to go and may very well change my mind again. As I mentioned earlier - When I started out I simply bought any medals that were on offer and I do have quite a few WW1 and WW2 groups and other bits & pieces. Thanks for all the good advice. I will at some point try to post a better quality picture. Regards Len