Strapper

I am looking for replacement ribbon for this medal and wondered if anyone can help with a source. They were red and yellow vertical stripe I think. Regards Strapper

Coen Britz, with his troops was asked if he would fight. He replied" My Men are ready, who do we fight, the Germans or the English." Strapper

From everything i have learnt about medal collecting, it is the provenance, history and man attached to the medal that give it any value at all. Copies therefore should only be worth the cost of manufacture, anything else is just added puffery. Logic says you can't have a more valuable "copy" than anyone else unless the quality of manufacture is better. Even then price difference should be marginal. Hancocks are charging a premium because they are a step closer to the original than anyone else, but in my opinion... No act of valour=No value. Regards Strapper

I have just recieved his Victory medal and wondered if any other info may be found..Possibly a Pilot. He was Govt Gazetted in the London Gazette 26 Feb 1918. That's all I Know. Any other info would be fantastic. Thanks David

Hee Hee, death Squads...just a figment of the ANC's imagination. C'est la Guerre.

This is his Brother, Sjt Arthur Strappini Royal guernsey Light Infantry 461. Lewis Gunner. he survived. He is back row far right and still a lance Cprl. I have his medals

This is his Grave

Hi I was hoping some one may have a legend of names for the photo of the 175th Bde RFA. I'm looking for my Grandfathers brother Gunner Bert Strappini 89167 RFA Killed 9th June 1917. Attached photo, if some one has a better resolution Picture. He died age 20 at Messiness ridge. No pictures exist except this group shot I'm trying to id. And were his medals issued and to whom. Kind Regards Strapper

The spoils go to the victors, and the "honour" of writing history as you would like it to be remembered. The medals awarded to those brave enough to risk their lives, excluded from this observation. As for the musicians, freedom fighters and academics who never did anything of any significance other than to oppose a "Regime" while not actively supporting any other and reaping the benefits of both. Yes Mr. "Zulu Blanc" and others, how about a little medal for the losers, so we have something to show our kids, what "Dad did in the War" because, as other losing sides, we were DAMN GOOD soldiers. QED.

I'm afraid I have been off the military topic for a bit, i was trying my hand at painting some bits of dead chicken I found, interesting to do, but not to everyones taste I think...did I say taste and dead chicken in the same sentence, reminds me...I'm hungry...:-) Cheers Strapper

It's what unmarked daggers were called, some military units did not allow makers marks on the daggers. Not sure why, but Wilkenson made some and so did Rodgers and Nowell. I'm sure a search on the web or Snyders web site will give more info. And no fish...a southerly was blowing. Damn. Kind regards Strapper.

At the price it went for, it's a great deal. It looks like it has age and may be a virgin or unmarked dagger. Lucky I was out fishing and missed the end of the auction or i would have bought it myself. Kind regards Strapper

Thanks, Mervyn. A bit of practice and I'm sure I can do better. Damn eyes are not what they used to be..

So...third time lucky. My grandfather's great war medal. SJT A. Strappini Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. A lewis gunner and a survivor, thank goodness. Done in paint, Reeves student water colour.

....and another one in the bin...

Hi Spaz, Hee, Hee, I'd have to paint a lot of barbed wire to front a trench, May I just ask, are your medals done in pencil or paint, coz i tried one in paint today and had to award it to the bin! I couldn't get small detail of dates and stuff like you have on your medal bar. Which I must say is amazingly done, from my brief attempt, straight lines are difficult, but any tips would be welcome. I'm going to try the medal again tomorrow, if it turns out OK I'll put a pic on. Cheers Strapper

OK Spaz, there is a bit more to this painting lark than you make out. I got the barbed wire done, but i have a really rusty piece I'm going to try next, after supper I think. Kind Regards Strapper

There is something very odd about the typography on the medal, it looks way too modern. The type on the box looks period, but the kerning and condensed type looks strangely computer generated, not crafted as usually seen on period items. Also the raised style of sans serif type is not of the usual period pieces one sees. The vertical type that says "recreational training" really looks like a modern varient type face. Just an opinion. Kind regards Strapper

Hee Hee sorry bout the joke, I'll get some paints and give it a try, it all looks like a logical process, put darkness, where it's dark and lightness where it isn't dark, and whizz bang, I'll be an artist...I'm liking the idea. I can give up my real job, live by the sea and paint. I'll get some paint on monday, then I can sell them on tuesday...and so on. I think I have a house at the coast picked out already. I know, I brought some WW1 barbed wire back from France, maybe I'll do that first. Thanks Spaz!

Hey Spaz, you spelt Pyrenese wrong!!.......oh, just kidding. :-) Thinking of having a go at this drawing thing myself, what should I use, paint or pencil or what? Kind Regards Strapper

That is Awesome...!!!

Being in Potchefstroom in the 1980's i remember people with white uniforms and lots of "Scrambled Eggs" being shown a G5 and G6 in a demonstration. Rumour had it they were Iraqi or Argentinian, I guess Iraqui coz of the Mirror aviator sunglasses and black handle bar moustaches. They placed an order and we were all very happy at the time. I also remember some of the shrapnel landed in the Breda stables and alot of complaining went on. I was involved in the Directorate of Projects in the SADF, evaluating, buying and stealing ideas on how South Africa could beat the weapon imbargo, Gallil's from Israel, Leopard Tanks from West Germany and Buffels sold to Sri Lanka. Not to mention the nukes...hee hee, but I'm not sure if my secrets act has expired yet. Kind Regards Strapper.

William, once again I am in awe of your collection. You and your wife must be so proud of such an achievement. Kind regards David

It has a marking on the stik, the shaft is tapered and it seems to have wear in the area where a belt loop would have rubbed. Regards David

Hi Mervyn, Thanks for the very welcome info. Could this image be of one?