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  1. Just started reading a book called The Guards Brigade in the Crimea by Michael Springman. Not too far into it yet, but it's already fascinating. The idea of purchasing your commission seems a bit foreign nowadays, but I always assumed that it was left over from mediaeval times or something like that. Interestingly, there is a whole page about it in the above book which sums it up nicely. The short version is that when Cromwell used his new army to take over and control Parliament, it made a profound impact on the English leaders and politicians. So much so that it would be 200 years before they "got over it". Cromwell's military officers were men acting on Religious and patriotic principals who trained to a point of excellence. As soon as the monarchy was restored, Parliament decided that officers could and would only be selected from the families who had a stake in the running of the country and the money to support the monarchy and Parliament. Therefore, the practice of purchasing a commission was instituted -- and stayed in place until the reforms of 1871. This is an aspect of history that I'm always interested in and would be happy to hear thoughts on the system and whether the above seems correct, etc. Generally, what I've found online ascribes various motives to the purchasing of commissions, but usually just "good reasons" for the way certain people could or could not move up the ladder of promotion, the use of cashiering as discipline, etc. @FROGSMILE Tagging you here, as I'd be interested in your thoughts and input on this topic.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. I thought to share these interesting postcards depicting the Royal Artillery School of Gunnery and Experimental Branch at Shoeburyness, Essex. The first is outside the main gate in Central Road, second, the Staff Sergeants Quarters and Military Hospital. The third is an 11 inch Breach Loading Gun firing, the fourth a 110 ton Breach Loading Gun firing about 1912. The last photograph is my Great Grandfather on his Gunnery Course prior to the Great War. I've also added a real picture postcard sent from the Western Front depicting an artillery bombardment on German trenches sent by him just as the 'Kaiserschlachtm' was launched against the allies.... in addition a second sent of a wounded 'Tommy' and 'Chaplain'.
  5. The Header Asks My Questions. Thanks For Looking And Your Thoughts. Scotty
  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. Established in 1854 by Queen Victoria, the Distinguished Conduct Medal is the oldest British gallantry award. For any rank below commissioned officer, it ranked second highest for gallantry awards, just under the Victoria Cross. For other ranks, it was the equivalent of the DSO (which was only awarded to commissioned officers). In 1993, it was discontinued, being replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (when gallantry awards distinguished by rank were reviewed and modified). Instituted during the Crimean War in Dec 1854 as an award to WOs, NCOs and men of the British Army for distinguished, gallant and good conduct in the field. Before this, there was no official medal recognizing individual acts of gallantry. Along with the DCM, the awardee was granted a gratuity that was given at discharge from the Army. During The Great War a high number of DCMs were awarded, raising concerns about the medal's meaning and prestige. The Military Medal was instituted as a lower award, with the DCM reserved for exceptional gallantry and acts of bravery. The DCM was an Army-only award until 1942, with a single exception - Beginning in Sept 1916 and continuing for the war's duration, it could be awarded to members of the Royal Naval Division. After the change in 1942, other ranks of the RAF, RN and the Air and Naval Forces of Dominions and British Colonies were also eligible for award of the DCM for distinguished conduct in action on the ground. In 1979, eligibility was extended to posthumous awards. DESCRIPTION The medal was struck in silver and is a 36 mm (1.4 inches) disk. The suspender of all versions is of an ornamented scroll pattern, although the attachment of the suspender to the medal varied between versions (early versions were suspended in a manner that allowed the planchet to swivel). The ribbon is crimson with a navy blue center band. All medals awarded had the recipient's number, rank, name and unit engraved on the rim. OBVERSE Pre-1902 version - A Trophy of Arms incorporating a central shield bearing the Royal Coat of Arms, no inscription. From 1902 and after, the effigy of the reigning monarch replaced the trophy of arms, with the respective titles of the monarch around the perimeter. King Edward VII – "EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR". King George V, bareheaded – "GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:". King George V, crowned – "GEORGIVS•V•D•G•BRITT•OMN•REX•ET•INDIÆ•IMP•". Issued for awards in the 1930s. King George VI – "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR OMN REX ET INDIAE IMP:" awarded during the Second World War and immediately after. King George VI - "GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF:" awarded from the late 1940s. (This second type was awarded, instead of the Elizabeth II version, to Canadians during the Korean War.) Queen Elizabeth II – "ELIZABETH II D:G:BR:OMN: REGINA F:D:" awarded in the mid-1950s Queen Elizabeth II - "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D" awarded thereafter until 1993. REVERSE Same for all versions, very simply designed featuring "FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD" underlined by two spears and a laurel wreath. BAR Introduced in 1881, a bar could be awarded to signify each subsequent award. Bars are straight and also struck in silver. Bars awarded between 1881 into 1916 bear the month and year of the subsequent award. Those awarded after mid-1916 bear no date but feature a laurel spray. When only ribbons are worn, a silver rosette for each bar is worn on the ribbon. Queen Victoria Version: Edward VII Version: King George V, Version 1: King George V (crowned), Version 2: King George VI, Version 1: King George VI, Version 2: Queen Elizabeth II, Version 1 (this picture is of a reproduction): Queen Elizabeth II, Version 2: If you have one of these medals to show, a picture of a soldier wearing it, or a story about this medal being awarded/earned . . . please feel free to share it here!
  8. The Punjab Medal was a campaign medal that was approved merely weeks after the service it commemorates. Established 2 April 1849 for all who served in the Punjab campaign between 7 Sept 1848 - 14 March 1849. The Punjab Campaign (1848-49) finished with the annexation of the Punjab (which was a region of Northern India and Easter Pakistan). DESCRIPTION OBVERSE: Bears the diademed head of Queen Victoria (by Wyon), and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. REVERSE: A scene depicting the Sikh chiefs laying down their arms before a victorious British General seated on horseback in the front of his troops, who are drawn up in line with colours flying. In the background are palm trees, and above TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB. In the exergue is the date MDCCCXLIX. The medal is 1⅖ in. in diameter, and has the name of the recipients impressed on the edge in Roman capital letters. The clasps for suspension, and the bars, are similar to those on the Sutlej medal; the ribbon is 1¾ in. wide, and of dark blue with bright-yellow stripes at the side. CLASPS The clasps are read from the top down, which differed from the normal way at the time of placing the earliest clasp nearest the planchet. MOOLTAN - 7 Sept 1848 - 22 Jan 1849. For troops who participated in the Siege of Multan. Almost 19,000 of these clasps were issued, with just under 3,000 to British troops and the rest to Indian forces. One of the British regiments which took part in the siege was the 10th, 32nd, and 1st Batt. 60th Rifles (only 100 of this regiment received the single bar for Mooltan, and fakers frequently remove the Goojerat bar from a medal in order to enhance its value). CHILIANWALA - 13 Jan 1849. For troops who engaged with the Sikh army near Chilianwala, under the command of Lord Gough. Over 21,000 issued with 4,300 to British and the remaining to Indian Troops. GOOJERAT - 21 Feb 1849. For troops under the command of Lord Gough that defeated the Sikh army at Goojerat. Almost 33,000 of these were issued, over 6,000 to British forces and the rest to Indian troops. FRONT: Courtesy of Daniel Griffin BACK: Courtesy of Daniel Griffin If you have one of these medals to show, a picture of a soldier wearing it, or a story about this medal being awarded/earned . . . please feel free to share it here!
  9. 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
  10. officers glengarry cap for the 3rd volunteer battalion, the welsh regiment, official period of issue is 1881-1896, but the vb's were a law unto themselves and I suspect some officers wore them out. supplied by well known military outfitters Samuel Brothers.
  11. Here are copies of documents I have to a G. F. Bell who is requesting issuance of an Indian Mutiny Medal. (note the dates) A photo of an example of the medal: I believe this information from the rolls of medal recipients is the individual: Additional research is in progress. Larry
  12. The Crimea Medal was a campaign medal issued to land and naval forces of the British units who fought in the Crimean War (1854-56). This medal was sanctioned on 15 Dec 1854, and would eventually be awarded to over a quarter of a million British who served during the war. It was first presented by Queen Victoria on 18 May 1855. DESCRIPTION 36mm disc, made of silver. The medal, designed by W. Wyon, represents on the reverse a Roman warrior with a flying figure of Victory crowning him with a laurel wreath; to the right of the figure is the word CRIMEA arranged perpendicularly. The obverse is the same as that on the Peninsular and India General Service medals. The suspender is of a very appropriate character, suggesting a palm wreath issuing from a conventional cusp. The ribbon is of pale blue with yellow edges (pay attention to the Baltic Medal, which has reversed ribbon colours and is very easily confused with the Crimea Medal at a quick glance). The Crimean Medals were originally issued unnamed, although some recipients had their name and regiment engraved privately. Others were officially named later, with the same stamps as were used for the Army General Service and early Kaffir War medals, in square Roman capitals. British Crimean medals issued to the Sardinians are almost always found officially engraved, matching the style and manner that the Sardinian Crimea Medals were engraved. BARS/CLASPS Five bars in all were issued, but four is the greatest number awarded with any medal. Two bars were authorised at the time of the medal's creation, and three more followed in the next year. Alma (Dec 1854) Inkermann (Dec 1854) Balaklava (Feb 1855) Sebastopol (Oct 1855) Azoff (Special bar given to the Navy) The bars should read upward from the medal as follows: Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol, but a number of the medals were issued without the bars being fixed, and the order is consequently sometimes found to be inaccurate; care should therefore be taken to verify the record of the person named on the medal. Many medals were issued before the grant of the bar for Sebastopol at the end of October 1855, and many exist without this bar, although all who took part in the battles of Balaklava and Inkerman were entitled to it. The troops who landed in the Crimea after September 9th, 1855, the day Sebastopol fell, were not entitled to the medal unless they had been engaged against the enemy after that date. MEDAL The Crimea Medal in the Royal Collection is a specimen medal, unusually mounted with all five clasps. No one soldier was awarded all five clasps for service. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Collection) If you have one of these medals to show, a picture of a soldier wearing it, or a story about this medal being awarded/earned . . . please feel free to share it here!
  13. Just ran across this article in the National Army Collection. It's listed as "Sandwich case used by Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Francis Maude, VC". There's basically no info at all about the piece itself, except that it was not part of the army-issued canteens and was privately purchased. When I try to look up a "sandwich case" in the Crimean War, mentions of this one are all that come up. What would he have used this for (was it to carry food?) and where would a soldier have carried it?
  14. This post is a combination of some great info that used to be available on the Victorian Wars Forum (now no longer online). Thankfully, I had saved some of this and am going to repost a combination of useful facts from an old thread there by this title. Saved text is shown in italics below. Please add to this discussion! It can be very challenging to research army wives and widows, and understanding their entitlements can be tricky. Here are some helpful answers to commonly asked questions. Wives' Entitlements When serving overseas, regiments were entitled to take a quota of enlisted men's wives with them. The exact number varied but the numbers were pretty small and there was often a ballot to see whose wife would get to come with them "on the strength". These wives travelled with the regiment, drew army rations for themselves and their children and were quartered in barracks with their men in a curtained off area. Unless an officer's wife chose to offer an alternate venue, it was common for babies to be born in the barracks - this must have made life interesting for all within earshot! Wives could also travel/live with the regiment unofficially (ie. at their own expense), and there are examples of the wives of both officers and enlisted men doing so. Officers accompanied by their wives were allocated more spacious quarters in a specific part of each camp or cantonment, away from the so-called single men's quarters. (Why so-called, you ask? In early Victorian India, many British officers and men who were officially classified as single actually lived with a wife or mistress of local ancestry, although such arrangements became less common and/or more discreet in the later Victorian era.) Even being "on the strength" didn't get you full food rations or clothing, so many wives had to find a way to earn money to support themselves and their children, for example, by taking on jobs with the regiment ranging from laundress through to regimental school mistress. And while officers' wives may not have relied on it to put food on their table or advertised the fact, quite a few women heading off to remote parts packed trade goods such as exotic plant seeds, textiles and so on, so that they would have something to barter with at local markets or to present to influential people such as other wives. (Some interesting bits can be gathered about this from the the 1954 film "Carrington, V.C." starring David Niven.) Widows' Entitlements If a woman from the UK was widowed while travelling on the strength, and sometimes even if she wasn't, her regiment would usually pay for her transport back to the UK along with any underage children. If their father had been a well-regarded NCO or enlisted man, children might also be put on the boys' roll for the regiment, effectively guaranteeing them a job when they reached a suitable age (usually 14 or 15), or be placed in a school such as the Royal Hibernian Military School. Not all RHMS and similar students went into the military, by the way, as many went into trade. Regardless of whether she was on the strength and where she came from, a woman recognised as a man's wife was entitled to his back pay and proceeds from the sale of his personal effects, if any. That was it, however. No widow's pension was payable for most if not all of the Victorian era. I am not clear when things changed in the UK, but it wasn't until 1914 that Australia introduced a war widows' pension. Even then the husband had to be killed in active service and, until 1915, the widow had to be financially dependent on him. In the absence of a pension, soldiers' dependents often ended up in workhouses or on the street. Admission to the workhouse was not automatic either. Destitute wives/families were normally only admitted to the workhouse in the parish where the husband/father had been born. This meant some families had to travel long distances from the regimental depot to the relevant parish, risking charges of vagrancy if they had not obtained a signed pass of safe conduct from the Commanding Officer of the regiment in question. Taking all of the above into account, it is perhaps not surprising that many widows chose to remarry fairly quickly, usually but not always within their husband's regiment. Indeed, there are cases of women marrying a number of times within the one regiment. Conclusion Whilst somewhat depressing in parts, this short summary should cover the most common issues that come up when researching individual army wives/widows and children, and suggest some places you might look for relevant records. Extract from Lord Chelmsford's General Orders in relation to soldiers' wives and children travelling in South Africa (GO No. 37, dated 19th February 1879, Times of Natal, 21st February 1879): "The following scale for the conveyance of families on the married roll will be adhered to in this command:– In an ordinary buck wagon of the colony, 10 women and 10 children, or 8 women and 14 children; in a Commissariat Department mule wagon, from 4 to 5 families. The accommodation being appropriated at the rate of two running feet in the length of a wagon for one woman and one child, or for three children. The baggage of the families will be conveyed in the same wagon with the women and children, and no additional space will be allowed for it."
  15. Thought I'd share this picture, so that in the future, it would be available in case someone is looking to see what this unit wore! Got this scan from a photo dealer - topgundog. The picture is marked on the back the the unit of the soldier, but sadly - no name. However, it is so cool to see such a lovely, clear picture of the uniform! I would think that hat strap would be sooooooooo annoying and impractical! I assume he is enlisted, as there is no color device.
  16. I'm very sorry for terrible photo but when a Civil War Collector and friend showed what was in an old, dirty bug eaten trunk he bought out of a shed all I had to take a picture with is my 10 year old flip phone. I will see him this Sunday and take my camera with me. In the meantime can you see enough to broadly ID? Richard
  17. Each of the British monarchs had their own "Cypher" that was sometimes put on buttons, badges, etc. Many just had the crown for Queen Victoria, or "King's crown" (used for all four kings between Victoria and Elizabeth), or Queen Elizabeth crown. But a few, such as the Royal Engineers buttons & badges, had the full cypher as well. Attached pictures from my Royal Engineer buttons.
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