WW2 Neglected Medal Group

[Mervyn Mitton]

The dreadful condition of this important group is a lesson to everyone that medals are not for playing with.

Sometimes people - usually women - ask to buy a medal " because my husband has been good to me for 25 years '.

I always point out that even the lowliest private in an office - still had to give-up 5 years of his life.

This lovely Military Cross is dated 1943 - it is therefore(probably) an award for the Norrth Africa campaign. The five

General Service medals are all present - incl. the Defence.

I am showing the Group for you to see it's present condition - re-ribboning and also cleaning of the medals is very

necessary in this case. I have no naming - however, there were some small items that may give clues.

I will show a picture when it has been remounted and let you know how the search for his name goes.

......................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-25551900-1358610153.jpgclick...............................

[Mervyn Mitton]

.....................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-75716300-1358610297.jpgclick.......................

[Kev in Deva]

Sad to see such a nice group in need of some T.L.C.

Kevin in Deva.

[azyeoman]

That's one of the nice things about British medals; they can be reribboned and mounted and nobody cares; it's different for German, French and US etc. That'll be a beauty when it's given the TLC it deserves. Thanks for sharing.

[Paul R]

I cannot wait to see your finished product. It is a shame that they are not named.

[dante]

Hi Mervyn, what clues do you have.....?

[Mervyn Mitton]

.................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-33471200-1359298140.jpgclick................................

re-mounted and re-ribboned. The ribbon for the MC is an original piece of silk.

[Brian Wolfe]

A wonderful job of remounting, Mervyn.

I too would like to hear more about this group.

As Dante has asked, "What are the clues" and I'd like to also know the conclusions you have drawn.

In your original post you mentioned that this is a lesson that medals are not something to be played with. Is there a specific story to this statement concerning this particular group?

Regards

Brian

[peter monahan]

Yes, please. Do let us in on the story, whatever it may be.

[Mervyn Mitton]

I think you will agree that there is a big difference in appearance ? You have to wonder why it was so damaged

in the ribbons - probably children.

Unfortunately, being a British set there is no naming. Sometimes M.C.'s will be privately named - but, not this

time. However, it is dated 1943 - and this is a clue on it's own. This was the North African campaign with British

and South African and other Allied troops. The Africa Star is present - with 8th. Army Bar - and he also served in Italy.

Amongst the other small items that came with the Group is a Cavalry officer's dress epaulette to a Captain. There were

also two prints showing the 1st. King's Dragoon Guards Regt.. This Regiment was present in both the North Africa campaign

and also in Italy - they were using armoured cars - several different types from what I have been able to find out.

The Defence medal is also a clue. They could have earnt this in the UK - however, many Sth. Africans became

entittled to it since the British set up training camps in Egypt and Tunisia - and time served there often entitled the

Defence medal. South Africans could only have it this way . (unless they served in the UK for training)

One of the problems with separate small items , is that you are never sure if they are associated with the medals or,

just the personal bits of another member of the family ?

I will show all of these other pieces - hopefully one of our expert researchers will take on the challenge - and earn

my undying gratitude............ I had been planning to send the group to auction in the UK, but for the present it will

remain here.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Firstly, here are sopme close-ups of the group.

........................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-55792600-1359299324.jpgclick.........................

[Mervyn Mitton]

.......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-23288500-1359299568.jpgclick.........................................

[Mervyn Mitton]

...............................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-36034600-1359299780.jpgclick.............................

[Mervyn Mitton]

From a deceased estate - which is why I know so little about-it.

Here are two views of the shoulder epaulette.

.....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-58580000-1359300153.jpg.......................................

[Mervyn Mitton]

......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-43720400-1359300293.jpgclick..............................

[Mervyn Mitton]

Did he come from the Isle of Jersey ? Or is this irrelevant ? Was this a first or, surname.

......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-63961800-1359300418.jpgclick..................................

[Mervyn Mitton]

.......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-79541600-1359300577.jpgclick............................

[Mervyn Mitton]

......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-01621900-1359300694.jpgclick........................

[Mervyn Mitton]

What about this official badge - did he perhaps go into the Colonial Service after the War ?

.........................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-62611000-1359300884.jpgclick...............................

[Mervyn Mitton]

I wonder if it will be possible to track him down from this number ?

............................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-28826500-1359301164.jpgclick..............................

[Mervyn Mitton]

This dates from 1975 and is a rather rough watercolour. I must see if the name of the artist has any importance.

...............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-62736700-1359301350.jpgclick...................................

[Mervyn Mitton]

This hand coloured print dates from 1799 - and is of the same Regt.. The fact that there are two mounted prints

seems to show a connection with the medals. Now - we just need to findout who he was ? Mervyn

..................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-6209-0-69045100-1359301607.jpgclick...................................

[Paul R]

That is a great rebuild Mervynn. Are you going to be keeping that bar for yourself? If not, you should consider it.

Are those other items from the same grouping(excluding the medal bar)?