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Found 9 results

  1. I have a British Waterloo Medal that I am having difficulty figuring out and need some assistance. It is named; WILL. BOWIE * GUNNER, ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY. When I search the Waterloo Medal Roll I find a William Bowie, but he is listed as No 45 1st Battalion 71st Regiment Foot. Could this be the same person and if not, why isn't my Will Bowie on the Rolls? I was also very surprised to find it in a box pretty much forgotten as to its importance or value. A cool find amoung some treasures. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.
  2. This medal turned up at a yardsale from an unrelated family who found it on the ground in a restaurant parking lot. It now resides in the Household Cavalry museum in England. Sergeant Styles, Corporal at the time, was a Dragoon at Waterloo when he and his commanding officer captured the French colors of the 105th Infantry Regiment during the Union Brigade charge. Having vanished after Stiles’ death the medal has now been reunited with the captured French Eagle. Here is the medal
  3. Sometimes it's easy with the real military "greats" to forget that you're reading about a real, normal person. So, I thought it would be neat to find a few things that survive from the Duke of Wellington that give a picture of his normal life when not fighting at the Battle of Waterloo. His Home To begin with, his renowned home, Apsley House, is now part of the English Heritage association and a full historical sight and museum. This house was built between 1771-1778 for the 1st Baron Apsley (then Lord Chacellor), at the formal entrance to Hyde Park -- originally having an address of "Number 1, London". [Note: The address is now 149 Picadilly.] While this original red brick building was not the grand house surviving, the structure still survives beneath the stones and extensions of the larger, later house. The new Duke of Wellington purchased the house from his older brother, after Parliament voted to gift him £700,000 for the building of his own "Waterloo Palace". Instead, the Duke paid £40,000 for Apsley House (at the same time helping his brother out of financial troubles). His Daguerreotype While everyone tends to show the famous and colorful portraits of the Duke, there is actually an amazing daguerreotype photograph taken in 1844 (I think the date was 01 May 1844). There's nothing like a photo to make someone seem real. It's fascinating to think of that older gent being the same dashing hero always shown in his prime at Waterloo. His Frock Coat and Overalls And if you're interested in the clothing of the day (these were definitely his "civvies"), the National Army Museum in Chelsea actually owns the coat and pants worn by the Duke in the portrait showing Wellington with his secretary, Colonel Gurwood. This was painted in the 1840s by artist Andrew Morton and shows the men (Gurwood standing and Wellington seated) in the library at Apsley House. Here is the portrait (now on display as part of The Wallace Collection in London): And here are some pictures from the museum's collection showing the actual clothing: You have to wonder what the Duke would have thought about his suit being displayed in state-of-the-art conditions . . . moth hole and all! He probably wore this a number of times and never dreamed of it being a permanent display in one of the nation's large museums. If anyone else has more to share about this great British hero, please reply!
  4. I'm researching a Major-General on Wellington's Peninsular Staff (William Henry Pringle). He was awarded the "Gold Medal and Gold Cross" for his actions at several battles. Apparently, these were on the market some thirty years ago -- and you can see the Gold Cross, I believe, in his portrait attached here. I don't know anything about medals previous to the Crimean War, so I'm hoping someone here could fill in some details about the significance of the Gold Medal and Cross. Why were they awarded? Were they only for certain ranks? Anything like that. He was also awarded a KCB after the war, which is why I cannot seem to find any info about his Medal and Cross. Thanks!
  5. Starting a thread for everyone to share any photos/finds of all types of militaria from the Coldstream Guards. This can include everything and anything that was used by a Coldstream Guard -- uniforms, helmets, caps, badges, buttons, letters, medals, weapons, etc. It's always so much nicer to see some real items when researching, so let's share some photos (from your own collection or anything you can find). To start off with, here are some really great photos of a Coat. This was only listed as "Early Genuine British Coldstream Guards Dress Uniform with Belt" - no year given. I'm not experienced enough to date it, but these are some great photos! This coat was sold for $200.00 at Worthington Galleries (Gallatin, TN) on 19 May 2018.
  6. Thought it might be nice to have a thread discussing the iconic Bearskin helmets of the Foot Guards. They're quite fascinating, and the styles of Bearskins worn throughout European armies over the centuries are really quite varied. The look in England is simple -- but unmistakable. While I don't know a lot about them, we'll start with basics, and I hope others will come and add to this discussion, as it's a topic I'm always trying to learn about. ~ From Waterloo to the Crimea ~ The first use of the iconic Bearskin in the British Army was after the Battle of Waterloo. At that time, the infantry regiments of Napoleon's elite Imperial Guard wore the Bearskin Helmet. This served both as a sign of prestige, as well as giving a more fearsome appearance in battle. Of course, Wellington and his army gave the French a hard time at Waterloo (cheers), and Napoleon saved his Imperial Guard infantry back. It wasn't until about half past seven in the evening that he ordered the Middle Guard regiments to charge up Mont St. Jean to attack the British. The 1st Regiment of Foot Guards were stationed behind the hill as the 1st Brigade when Wellington issued the order to stand and attack. The Guards stood up in a long line (about 250 metres) and fired, driving the French back with repeated shots and bayonet attacks. This picture is a French Grenadier's Bearskin helmet, captured at Waterloo: And this is a picture of a Private in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, as they looked at Waterloo. They wore a Shako cap at the time, which was a common design in many British regiments. After this great victory at Waterloo, the Prince Regent believed the Guards to have defeated the French Grenadiers, and the 1st Foot Guards have since been called the Grenadier Guards. (In fact, from what I've read, it was the Chasseurs regiment of Foot Guards that the British drove back, but a simple mistake led to one of Britain's most recognizable names for one of their elite units.) The Regiment also adopted the Grenade as their badge and the iconic Bearskin helmet (or "cap") that is now part of Britain's worldwide image. The Grenadiers were the only British Regiment to bear this distinctive headgear for the following 16 years, until the privilege of the Bearskin was extended to the 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Foot Guards (Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards, respectively) in 1831. It was not until other Regiments of Foot Guards were raised that the use of the Bearskin was extended to more soldiers (Irish Guards in 1900, and Welsh Guards in 1915). By the time of the Crimean War, the Bearskin was instantly recognizable and appeared in many paintings portraying the battle heroics of the illustrious and elite Foot Guards. Here, the Grenadier Guards have just crossed the river at the Battle of the Alma: The Coldstream Guards in the midst of the same battle: And the Scots Guards, also at the Battle of the Alma, as painted by Lady Butler: ~ Bearskin Specifics ~ Getting down to specifics of the cap itself can be a little tricky. Weight is between 1.5 to 2 pounds. The height today (and for the last decades) is somewhere between 16-18" high, though sources seem to vary in this statement from article to article. Originally, I've found some sources saying that the Grenadier Guards' original Bearskins were made at 21" high -- culminating in the extra-high-23-inch versions worn by Guards at the coronation of King George IV. Those were so tall, however, that the officers could barely ride a horse. The helmets are made of skins from American Brown Bears, which have been dyed black. (Black Bears have thinner, shorter fur) It takes one skin per helmet. The cost today is about £650 (not sure whether that is just for the fur or for the whole cap). ~ Plumes and Parades ~ So, next time you watch the Trooping of the Colour or any event when the Queen's Guards are shown, it can be pretty simple to identify which company is which. This is easily done by noticing the colored plumes (or lack thereof) decorating the Bearskins. Grenadier Guards: While this is the 1st Regt. of Foot Guards, it's not the oldest. Consequently, when parading with other Guards units, they are seen on the far right. Originally, all Guards wore a white plume on their Bearskin or headdress (left side), though the Grenadiers are the only company to continue with this practice. Coldstream Guards: This is the 2nd Regt. of Foot Guards, but it's actually the oldest regiment in service today. Because of this, the Coldstream Guards are always seen on the extreme left when parading with any other Guards units. And, in keeping with its motto of "Second to None", they adopted a red plume (worn on the right) to differentiate them from other companies. Scots Fusilier Guards: This is the 3rd Regt. of Foot Guards, and they are seen in the centre when parading with other Guards units. They are also the only Guards to wear no plume at all on their headdress. Irish Guards: This company was formed in 1900, and their Bearskins are decorated by a blue plume worn on the right side. Welsh Guards: This company was formed by command of King George V in 1915. Their Bearskins feature a striped white-green-white plume worn on the left side. Well, I hope this is a good start. If anyone has more to add about this amazing piece of militaria, please do.
  7. This topic is meant to serve as a sort of "Table of Contents" for various useful threads that discuss the basics/details of uniforms, insignia, equipment and medals issued by the UK, making it easier to find out where to learn and post about your great collection pieces or current subject of research. Every thread here is open and active, so please feel free to post your thoughts, questions and photos as often as you'd like to share. While they are meant to serve as good reference for those wanting to learn, they're also meant to be great discussions between members. Please, enjoy the discussions and add to these threads. Thanks! If you think a thread should be added to this directory, just message any Ground Crew Member or Moderator. MEDALS & AWARDS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Crimea Medal (1854-56) Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Military Cross (MC) Punjab Medal (1849) War Medal, 1939 to 1945 WWII Defense Medal UNIFORMS, HELMETS & HEADGEAR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Uniform Reference Books Bearskin Helmets: The Iconic Headdress of the Foot Guards South Wales Borderers, Officer's Field Service Caps British Army and RAF contract numbers Part 1:6/CLO... British Army and RAF contract numbers Part 2: A/78/CLO... used from 1961 to 1980 BADGES & INSIGNIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Airborne Pegasus Patches Airborne WWII Cloth Insignia British Royal Cyphers on Buttons Glider Pilot Regiment Brevets The Kings Own Scottish Borderers RFC / RAF Cloth Wing Badges Robin Hood Formation Signs Patches WW2 Era British Paratrooper Wings
  8. Here are a pair of medals that were awarded to James Whitehead who fought in both the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Trafalgar. They are engraved to “Jas Whitehead/Theseus” and “James Whitehead/Conqueror.” Whitehead served on HMS Theseus from 1798-1800 and on HMS Conqueror from 1803-1812. Alexander Davison Battle of the Nile medal. Davidson was appointed by Nelson as sole prize agent for the captured ships after the Battle of the Nile. He had this medal struck at Matthew Boulton’s Birmingham mint and presented the medals to all who took part in the action. Gold to Nelson and his captains, silver to lieutenants and warrant officers, gilt metal to petty officers, and to seamen and marines in copper. Boulton's Trafalgar Medal. Obverse: Bust of Lord Nelson in uniform facing left, surrounded by the words 'HORATIO VISCOUNT NELSON.K.B.DUKE OF BRONTE.&.' Reverse: A scene of the battle with the legend, 'ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY.' On the reverse is "TRAFALGAR OCTr. 21 1805." Around the edge is impressed 'From M. Boulton to the heroes of Trafalgar'. The Trafalgar medals to seamen and Marines are made of pewter.
  9. ENGLISH BACK SIGHT OCTANT by Spencer, Browning & Rust An octant is a portable instrument that uses a small mirror to bring two images together--those of the sun and the horizon, for instance--to determine latitude at sea by observing the altitude of celestial bodies. It has an arc of 45o or more that measures angles of 90o or more. John Hadley described an instrument of this sort to the Royal Society of London in 1731 and obtained a British patent in 1734, and so octants are sometimes known as Hadley quadrants. This mariner's octant was made during the last half of the 18th Century and is the work of Spencer, Browning & Rust under private label for A. Johnson. It has two horizon mirrors and two peep sights. The lower assemblage is for taking “back sights“ and the upper is for traditional observations. The mark, SBR, Spencer, Browning & Rust, appears on the arc between 45°; and 50°. SBR is known to be one of England's foremost instrument makers. The sharpness of the arc's numerals shows that this instrument was made to the highest level of then existing technology by a company that stood at the top of its trade. You can clearly see the mark of SBR between 45 and 50 degree position on the arc. A. Johnson name is on the cross piece of the arc. The ivory arc measures from - 5 to plus 95 degrees on a ebony frame which is in excellent condition. It is known that mahogany went out of use in favor of ebony some time after 1750. The octant has a flat brass index arm without a stiffening brace that measures 14 inches from its top to the bottom of the index arm. Tangent screws began replacing finger clamps in the last quarter of the 18th Century. There are two horizon mirrors, each mounted on an adjustable turntable where the base can be rotated by loosening a screw which locks the mirror's position. There is a single set of three shades which may be moved from the upper to lower position. The ivory vernier scale reads from right to left from 20 to 0 arc minutes. There are two peep sights. The adjustable tangent screw followed the use of the index arm clamp which ended around the last quarter if the 1700's. All of these features date the instrument after 1750 and before 1800.
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