Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Members Militaria Collections

Tremendous stuff Bert. Thanks.

Bert

For the same reason my dad has all his old documents ie they represent a very significant part of his life and it would be sacrilige to dispose of them. However, that then raises an important issue ie the eventual heirs (if indeed there are any) cannot be relied on to keep such things and to treat them with the respect they deserve - so what is best to do with such things?

I have hi-res scanned all dad's documents and those copies are fine for me. The images are properly stored in several places. However, none of us can predict what the state of "internet" storage or media storage will be like in say the same 60+ years that these paper documents have survived so far. My son has no interest in inheriting such things in the fullness of time.

Logically some or all of the originals + the bound copy of the texts from dad's website should go to a proper military archive. I did try contacting the Regimental Museum that now houses items relating to the what was originally dad's outfit ie Royal Army Service Corps, but their interest was minor/ cold.

Snod

Excellent material Bert.I was in the Kings myself (aka Kingo) I joined in 86/87 at the minimum age at the time was 15 and 3 quarters.Done my basic training in Newcastle,place called Albermale barracks Ouston an ex WW11 RAF base.(RAF Ouston).


Here is the cap badge that I wore (with pride) at the time.

Snod, i can understand the predicament you may well be in, i feel somewhat lucky in that respect. I do have family members who i feel confident will cherish and care for these items as i have. I can also understand the position museums are in, what we hold dear to us, you will normally find museums have the same or similar items a hundred fold.It is definitely a very difficult decision to make. Thankfully i don't have that decision to make.

Dava would have done his service in The Kings, Manchester & Liverpool regiment who amalgamated in the 50s whose cap badge he has displayed. photos below show modern day Kings and badges pre- amalgamation, with the Liverpool Kings cap badge, The White Horse of Hanover.

The Japanese occupied Burma in 1942 and then soon after distributed The Japanese Government occupational money to use as its currency.

A Forces Christmas Card sent from my Father to my Mother 1944.

Some old Army papers, its a bit much when you have to get permission to ware your own medal band. Also one of the subjects you had to pass was Army and Empire.

WW2 German Trench Knife

Zulu short stabbing Spear found about 2 miles from the Isandlwana battle site South Africa. Thought by finder to be Zulu resting place before the battle.

Wow, exellent thread bert, thanks for sharing everyone

I know why you had to obtain permission to wear your own medal ribbons. There where a men who where imposters, there where ones who obtained medal ribbons for which they where not entitled and there where even men who wore service uniforms that had not even been in the forces during the war. I actualy know of one, he was eventualy caught and put inside as it was a crinimal offence which carried a jail sentence during the war and i think it may still be. But these days under this present goverment and the way they treat the services all you would get is an asbo.

WW2 Soldiers repair kit.

Plaques commemorating exercise UHLAN EAGLE. A joint polish/ nato exercise conducted at Drawsko Pomorski, Poland. Taking part was a British Battle group including the 7th Armoured Brigade ( Desert Rats ).

If I remember correctly, this was called a Housewife.