A NEW ADDRESS FOR THE SOCIETY.

The correspondence address for the Society has changed with immediate effect to: Wellington View, Bollington Road, Bollington, Macclesfield, SK10 5EL. All other contact details remain the same but the telephone number 01625 574908 may be unavailable for a few days.

EXHIBITION FOR 2024

The Society will be holding its Annual Exhibition jointly with the Aldershot Militaria Society at Waverley Abbey School, Farnham, on Sunday, 29th September, 2024. The format will be the same as in recent years with entry restricted to members of the Society (and guests) with invitations extended to members of local kindred societies. Members are urged to consider mounting a display of items from their collection, however big or small. This is also an excellent opportunity to renew contacts with other members of the Society in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2024

Members of the Society will appreciate that, with the ever increasing cost of printing and postage, it is not possible to send copies of The Bulletin to Members who have not renewed their subscription for the coming year. However, it is still not too late to renew subscriptions for the current year and to receive all the publications for 2024. The Society is proud of its achievement to have maintained the subscriptions at the same levels for eleven consecutive years and to have converted The Bulletin into a full colour publication. Members can renew their subscription through the website or by contacting the Membership_Secretary

THE BULLETIN Issue 295 February 2024

The February issue of “The Bulletin” was posted on Friday, 16th February 2024.

Principal articles cover: Wartime Relief in Germany – A scarce “German Assistant Nurse” Red Cross Badge; The uniforms of The Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabiniers) 1831-1900; Carry On Bandmaster [Foot Guards]; Female Personnel with the SAS Brigade 1944-1945; Not the Youngest Drummer – Thomas Flynn VC of the 64th Regiment & Original Artwork by George Edward Madeley 1798-1858. Shorter articles cover Badge Notes; Foot Guards 1816-1820 Shako Star or Not; The St John Ambulance Brigade Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve Arm Badge; The Kingsale cavalry 1796-1814 Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate; Sabretaches; The Indian Army bearer Corps; Clear the Way! Or the Making of a Brigade; & Joe. There are also the usual Book Reviews and Correspondence Sections.

THE BULLETIN Issue 294 November 2023

The November issue of “The Bulletin” was posted on Wednesday, 16th November.

The November issue opens with Society information in the Chairman’s Notes (including the AGM), Treasurer’s Notes (Subscription Renewals) and a report on the recent Annual Exhibition.

Principal articles cover: Music at the State Funerals of Sovereigns; Uniform of The Several Regiments of Foot, 1771; The Uniforms of The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, 1834-1900; and Logistics of an RAF Posting to The Gambia in 1943. Shorter articles include: The Seaton Delaval Householders Other Ranks’ Cross Belt Plate 1798-1801; A Rare Russian Badge Commemorating a Little Known RAF Operation; News From The National Army Museum by Ian Maine; Indian Soldiers at Hampton Court Palace; together with the regular Book Reviews and Correspondence.

A supplement circulated with this issue provides higher definition colour images of the illustrations in the Restrikes, Reproduction and Fake Cap Badges article in the August issue.

MHS SPECIAL NUMBER 2023: The British Infantry Tunic 1855-1914 by Bryan Fosten

The 2023 Special Number entitled “The British Infantry Tunic 1855-1914” was circulated with the November Bulletin. It was written by the late Bryan Fosten and we are indebted to his family for allowing us to publish his unpublished manuscript and to our Editor, Gary Gibbs, a very close friend of the Fosten brothers, who has facilitated the publication. Readers will be very familiar with Bryan’s magnificent illustrations for the popular Osprey series of military titles and his own Thin Red Line publication. A full tribute is carried in the Special Number but, suffice it to say that, as a long-standing supporter of the MHS, it is hoped that this Special Number will serve as a lasting tribute to one of the finest military uniform researchers and illustrators of recent times.

YEOMANRY BADGES FOR SALE

A long-standing member of the Society has reluctantly decided to dispose of his unrivalled collection of British Yeomanry badges. They are being offered, by private negotiation with the owner, as collections by regiment rather than single badges. Please make enquiries through yeomanry@mhsorg.uk .

THE FOLLOWING REGIMENTS ARE AVAILABLE:

Royal Wiltshire; Shropshire; Ayrshire; Cheshire; Duke of Lancaster’s Own; Lothians & Border Horse; Scottish Horse; Royal Bucks Hussars; Loyal Suffolk Hussars; Berkshire.

POST 1947 UNITS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS:

Queen’s Own Yorkshire; Leicester & Derby; Fife & Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse; Queen’s Own Lowland; Queen’s Own Yeomanry; Dorset & West Somerset; Berkshire & Westminster Dragoons; Mercian; King’s Own Yorkshire Yeomanry Light Infantry; Scottish Yeomanry.

THE REVIEW of the Naval Historical Collectors & Research Association

We are delighted to announce that we have been able to digitise the complete run of “The Review”, the Journal of The Naval Historical Collectors & Research Association. This is now fully searchable on the MHS website alongside the complete runs of “The Bulletin” and “Durbar”. Members are able to search both titles and text and can view the entire articles. Non-Members can also search on key words to find the titles of relevant articles, but are not able to view the text without becoming a Member of the Society. Go to the Search button on the top menu of the website.

The NHCRA was formed in 1988 to bring together and provide a forum for avid collectors of medals, badges, photographs and ships bells and also for those interested in researching naval personnel, ships, battles and maritime social history. It also attracted family historians and retired Naval officers and ratings with an interest in their heritage. The Association published the much-respected quarterly journal “The Review” which contained a wide range of articles on naval and maritime history from the 18th century to the present day and also medal rolls, casualty lists and so on. Unfortunately, the Association was forced to close in 2015.

MHS SPECIAL NUMBER 2022: RECONSTITUTION – The formation of the Armies of India and Pakistan – August 1947

The ground breaking and superbly illustrated Special Number for 2022 by Tony McClenaghan entitled "Reconstitution - The Formation of the Armies of India and Pakistan - August 1947" was circulated to all Members of the Society with the November issue of The Bulletin. With the cooperation of our own Member, Sqn Ldr Rana Chhina in Delhi, and Ian Maine and his team at the National Army Museum, who worked magnificently to provide information and illustrations from the Field Marshal Chapple Collection of Indian Army badges which they now hold, this Special Number is set to provide a definitive and enduring guide to the subject. The publication starts with a 20-page essay on the background to and the process of Reconstitution and is followed by 76 pages illustrating and describing the pre- and post-1947 badges of the various Regiments and Corps. The issue concludes with a 5-page bibliography. The work is complemented by a newly drawn Map of the Indian Army Regimental Centres (excluding Gurkhas) in August 1947 which is folded in a pocket on the inside back cover.

Further copies are available to both Members and the public at £12 plus postage through the Society Shop on the website.

VERY SPECIAL OFFER - THE INDIAN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

by Sqn Ldr Rana Chhina MBE IAF Retd. Hardback, 359pp, 12pp Illustrations.

Published in India in 2001, and available in limited numbers in the UK at £29.95 plus p&p, the author has generously offered the small number of remaining copies to the Society and we are delighted to be able to offer copies at £10 per copy including p&p to customers in the UK. Unfortunately, the book weighs more than 1kg and so postage costs will increase the price to overseas customers. Nevertheless, the book will still be excellent value at £10 plus an additional postage charge of £10 to Europe, £20 to Zone 1, £24 to Zone 2 (Australasia & Singapore) and £27 to USA.

To order a copy, please go to the Shop > Special Numbers (top menu) or email IDSM@mhsorg.uk

“The Indian Distinguished Service Medal” by Rana Chhina remains the only comprehensive record of one of the two uniquely Indian gallantry awards of the British Indian Armed Forces. Indian troops were not eligible for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and so the IDSM was introduced in 1907 to recognise an equivalent level of gallantry. The IDSM was awarded sparingly, with just over 5,600 awards made between 1907 and 1947, of which around 3,100 were made for service during the First World War. By comparison, the DCM was awarded on around 25,000 occasions during the First World War alone.

Rana Chhina’s book includes a comprehensive account of the origin, development and description of the IDSM, and the institution of first and second award bars. It goes on to provide a complete roll of all recipients, by regiment or corps, listed in chronological order based upon the date of the General Government Order (GGO) authorising the award. Each entry includes number, rank, full name, the date and theatre of award and, where known, details of other awards and whether replacement medals were issued. The roll is split into two parts: 1907 to 1922 and 1922 to 1947 in order to reflect the reorganisation of the Indian Army in 1922 which led to changes in many unit titles. The final Section of the book comprises seven Appendices giving tables of units, summaries of award by unit, a summary of awards by year and obverse, representative award citations and an index to London Gazette entries between 1923 and 1947. There is also a comprehensive bibliography and index.

Rana Chhina, will need no introduction to anyone with an interest in the military history of India. ‘The Indian Distinguished Service Medal’ is an essential reference for everybody with an interest in the twentieth century Indian Army before 1947 and at £10 it represents outstanding value for money.

MHS Special Number 2021: BRITISH ARMY HEADDRESS 1939 to 1945 by Jon Mills

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new Special Number for 2021. Jon Mills will be well known to the militaria collecting fraternity and his latest publication will be very welcome and well received. This Special Number, with 96 pages, is nearly double the size of regular Special Numbers, which enables a wide coverage of Army headdress, including service dress, berets, Tam O’Shanters, glengarries, pith helmets, tropical and cold weather hats and a range of protective headwear. As well as breadth of style, the booklet also covers a wide range of units including Middle East forces, Airborne, Commandos, Water and Railway Units, ATS, Nurses, FANY and allied forces uniformed in the UK. The book is extremely well referenced and, although it is titled 1939-1945, it contains a wealth of information on the background and development of many types of headdress during the late 1800s, through World War 1 and in the inter-War period. The book is also lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of hats and black & white photographs of the hats being worn by a variety of ranks and regiments.

All Members of the Society automatically received a copy of this Special Number with The Bulletin in November 2021 as part of their annual subscription. Further copies may be obtained by Members or the public at a cost of £12 plus £2.00 p&p (UK rate). Overseas postage for a single copy is £4.50 (Europe), £6.00 (International Zones 1 & 3) and £7.00 (Australia, New Zealand, Singapore & Pacific Islands). Go to Shop > Special Number > Item No. S028.

SOUTHERN BRANCH MEETING PROGRAMME FOR 2023

Monthly meetings take place at the Boys' Brigade Hall, Sawmill Lane, Dorchester at 13.00 hrs on Saturday afternoons. Members are invited to contact Geoff Pulman on 01308 424799 for further details and all Members are invited to consider giving a talk to the group. The meeting dates for 2024 are:

20 January; 16 March (Talk by by Sheila Meaney: A B C - D-Day); 20 April; 18 May; 22 June (Branch Exhibition & Competition); 20 July; 21 September; 23 November.

Photograph courtesy of Jaggery.©

MHS Special Number 2020: “A MONSTROUS PIECE OF CLOTH” THE BRODRICK CAP by Toby Brayley

Published in November 2020. You may wonder how an army cap which was universally disliked and only lasted for six years could possibly fill a 68-page Special Number. Toby Brayley has produced an absorbing and thoroughly professional account of the design and use of this cap throughout the army. It is superbly and prolifically illustrated and even has detailed photographs of the actual cap worn by the late Canon Lummis, a distinguished Member of the Society, when he was serving as 5428 W M Lummis in the 11th Hussars. This Special Number is surely destined to become the definitive work on the Brodrick Cap and the narrative provides an interesting insight to military service at the start of the twentieth century.

Members of the Society automatically received a copy of this Special Number with The Bulletin in November 2020 as part of their subscription. Non-Members can purchase copies (or Members can purchase additional copies) from the Shop at a cost of £12 each plus £2.00 p&p (UK rate).

THE INDIAN MILITARY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Indian Military Historical Society was integrated with the Military Historical Society at the beginning of 2021 and the entire 37-year run of Durbar, the journal of the IMHS, has been uploaded to the MHS website. Members of the Society are now able to view and download the text of all issues of both The Bulletin and Durbar, with a fully searchable database. Non-Members are also able to search the text and contents lists to see a list of relevant articles, but they are not able to view the text of the articles unless they join the Society.

Choose 'Search' on the top menu to search on either the full text or the contents lists. Back numbers of Durbar can also be ordered from the shop. Please note that the back numbers of The Bulletin and Durbar are held in different locations and will be despatched by different people. Combined orders for MHS & IMHS publications will therefore incur two postal charges.

SOCIETY SHOP

Back numbers of The Bulletin, Durbar and Special Numbers can be ordered from the shop. However, please note that the back numbers of Durbar are held in a separate location. Combined orders for MHS & IMHS publications will therefore be despatched by different people and incur two postal charges.

It is also worth reminding potential customers that Members of the Society can search, read and download the entire run of ‘The Bulletin’ (from 1950 until today) and of ‘Durbar’ (1984-2020) and ‘The Review’ (1988-2015) on the website. For a very reasonable membership fee, now might be a good time to join the Society to obtain access to this historical archive, as well as receiving all the current publications as soon as they are issued. Go to “Membership” on the top menu of this site.

AN OPEN OFFER FROM A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY

THE FIFTH FUSILIERS AND ITS BADGES by Denis Wood.

Second and hugely updated edition published in 2014. Hard back, xv and 208pp with some 700 illustrations, mostly in colour. Originally priced at £90.00, Colonel Wood has offered to make the remaining copies of this definitive work available to Members and non-Members of the Society at the superbly discounted price of £50, including post & packing. Please contact Denis Wood directly by email: deniswood@mhsorg.uk; or by telephone: 020 7226 8866.

BACK ISSUES OF CROWN IMPERIAL WANTED

Surprisingly, two members are seeking back issues of Crown Imperial at the same time.

The first request is for the very early Issues 1-60 and 67.

The second request is for the last Issues 101-113 and the Yeomanry Special Number.

Please send any offers via the editor at editor@mhsorg.uk

MEMBERS WANTS & OFFERS

BRITISH ARMY BADGES

David Smith: A fine selection of GENUINE British army insignia from shako plates to cap badges and shoulder titles, offered with a no-quibble, money back guarantee. Website: British Army Badges