27 replies to this topic

[Angrybudgie]

I have recently purchased my first 2 medals, not an organised collection of a particular group but I'm an easy mark for those that no-one else seems interested in. I couldn't let them go without a single bid and perhaps be consigned to the useless rubbish pile.
Consequently I am now the pleased owner of the following:

Victory Medal - Cpl A Kite ASC

14/15 Star - Pte J Shufflebotham 10th Batt. Cheshire Regt.



Elizabeth

[rkirb5]

Hi Elizabeth

Well done, I have done a few like that. They give you a good idea of the medals, without a huge cost.
Now you have something to research, try doing a family tree as well, some can be interesting!

regards

Robert

[Kevin Tobin]

Now you've started something! It will never stop now!

Depending on their service numbers from the medals a quick search of Ancestry shows possible service records for both??

[River97]

Yep, I agree with Kevin, you are in trouble now.

I did the same thing some 13 years ago and now am about to crack the 160 mark. It's a wonderful hobby, turned passion, as there is a person behind every medal and so much history.

Cheers Andy.

[old owl]

Hi Elizabeth,

I have been collecting for circa 30 years now and I still think it is the best hobby ever!!  It is quite simply a multi-faceted hobby--but do be aware that not every medal will deliver a good story. As in everything, some are better than others!!
Welcome to the club

Robert

[Angrybudgie]

thanks for the welcome gentlemen,

        I'm well aware that not everything has a happy ending Robert, I 've been doing family histories for 'fun' for some years (have just decided to make it a micro-business) and have found more than one 'skeleton'......I'm not expecting a good story for all, some will probably be information lite. But these men paid highly for their medals and deserve more than to be chucked in the bin. Yes Andy, the urge to buy is strong, but I must be a little careful until the fund increases. When I have them displayed I will post some photos....

thanks again,

  Elizabeth

[Waggoner]

Elizabeth,

You are off to a good start! Especially for the ASC, the service number can provide a great deal of information. What is the service number (with prefix) of Cpl A Kite ASC?



All the best,



Gary

[Angrybudgie]

Hi  Gary,

     Albert's service number is S4-218426 although I already know that there are 26 pages of service history on Ancestry. I just haven't accessed it yet, been a little busy.


     Elizabeth

[Waggoner]

Elizabeth,

That is a stroke of very good fortune as most of the WWI service records were destroyed during the Blitz! Once you read through them, you will have a comprehensive knowledge of his career. By the way, the "S4" prefix indicates that he was part of the supply branch of the ASC and most likely was employed as a labourer.

All the best,

Gary

[AndyMacdonald]

Congrats on the foray into medal collecting! I remember all those years ago when I got my first medal, in my father's garrage and tacked by its ribbon to a rafter! No name on it and and simple 39-45 War Medal ... but a story nonetheless!
AndyM

[sutton-in-craven]

Angrybudgie, on 04 July 2011 - 02:59 AM, said:

I have recently purchased my first 2 medals

I think most people would remember their first medal purchase.

The first medal I ever bought (many moons ago) was a single N. Ireland CSM to the Duke of Wellington Reg't. I think it cost me 10 quid and I ummed and ahhed for ages wondering whether I could justify paying 10 pounds for a medal!  

[WilliamRev]

My first medal was bought when I was a teenager  in the late 1970s - a Victory medal to a Royal Artillery gunner for just  £1. I have since bought dozens of duos and trios, and recently sold most of them on e-bay to pay my tax bill - but I was pleasantly surprised at how much money I got for them .

With prices gently rising as people get more and more interested in the Great War, my advice to any would-be medal collector is:

1. Go for it! Buy (then research, treasure and respect) medals, safe in the knowledge that you have a good chance of at least getting your money back if you decide to sell them.

2. Consider buying Howard Williamson's book "The Great War Medal Collectors Companion" - £60 but a vast book with nearly everything you need to know about WW1 British medals, especially how to spot fakes, which alas is becoming rather necessary these days.

William

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Well done Elizebeth...
You have now begun on a long & winding road of never ending story of poverty,but which can see you through all kinds of adversity and give you great joy  and a little frustration,You are already off to a magnificent start with a Medal to a man with a wealth of documentation readily available,something which is more often than not in dearth for a high percentage of all pre 1940s awards,27 pages is by no means the norm even for those whose papers survive and suggests a long serving soldier or someone with a convaluted story.some 51 years ago I was taken in by a muddled group of odd WW1 & WW2 medals in a Maldon Junk Shop, following a visit to a local Museum at Prittlewell near Southend on Sea,Essex.The rest is now history... Good Luck & Happy Hunting,Here's Hoping All your Purchases Will Be That Rewarding!! HB

[tharkin56]

just incase you want an alternative why not collect photographs of local men who served or died in the war of the 3500 men from Coventry I have over 1500 photos. A friend collects photos of officers that were killed he has over 19000.

Trevor

[maldon]

HarryBettsMCDCM, on 26 August 2011 - 07:08 PM, said:

Well done Elizebeth...
You have now begun on a long & winding road of never ending story of poverty,but which can see you through all kinds of adversity and give you great joy  and a little frustration,You are already off to a magnificent start with a Medal to a man with a wealth of documentation readily available,something which is more often than not in dearth for a high percentage of all pre 1940s awards,27 pages is by no means the norm even for those whose papers survive and suggests a long serving soldier or someone with a convaluted story.some 51 years ago I was taken in by a muddled group of odd WW1 & WW2 medals in a Maldon Junk Shop, following a visit to a local Museum at Prittlewell near Southend on Sea,Essex.The rest is now history... Good Luck & Happy Hunting,Here's Hoping All your Purchases Will Be That Rewarding!! HB

Harry - are the Maldon medals related to Maldon men?

Best regards.
SPN
Maldon

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Hi Maldon,
They were a RFA 1914~15 Star,to a London man, an erased Victory, and a Middlesex R. BWM,to a Clacton Lad.iirc; with a 1939/45 Star & WW2 BWM all  mounted on a Bar,most likely for a theatrical or Carnival stunt we are talking 1963 here!! and they have long since moved on to new homes,when I began to specialise,so long ago in the 1970s...They were in a small Junk shop that was set up in the High street near the Blue Boar end of town;on the other side of the Road{ie opp The BB side}
I dont know if Ive mentioned it before but my great Uncle George Brewster {Liverpool R. & RE} & one time Landlord of the Volunteer on Wantz Road lived in Maldon as did my Uncle & Aunt Harold & Annie Brewster,[150 Wantz Rd iirc]} for donkeys years{HB was wounded in Africa in WW2 as a member of the 1st Army {ACC & MT RASC;ie;two different types of Grease!!}losing the fingers on one hand only to lose those on the other at an accident at the Sawmill at John Sadds after the War!!
Many thanks for your interest,Regards Roger [HB]

[maldon]

HarryBettsMCDCM, on 30 August 2011 - 07:50 PM, said:

Hi Maldon,
They were a RFA 1914~15 Star,to a London man, an erased Victory, and a Middlesex R. BWM,to a Clacton Lad.iirc; with a 1939/45 Star & WW2 BWM all  mounted on a Bar,most likely for a theatrical or Carnival stunt we are talking 1963 here!! and they have long since moved on to new homes,when I began to specialise,so long ago in the 1970s...They were in a small Junk shop that was set up in the High street near the Blue Boar end of town;on the other side of the Road{ie opp The BB side}
I dont know if Ive mentioned it before but my great Uncle George Brewster {Liverpool R. & RE} & one time Landlord of the Volunteer on Wantz Road lived in Maldon as did my Uncle & Aunt Harold & Annie Brewster,[150 Wantz Rd iirc]} for donkeys years{HB was wounded in Africa in WW2 as a member of the 1st Army {ACC & MT RASC;ie;two different types of Grease!!}losing the fingers on one hand only to lose those on the other at an accident at the Sawmill at John Sadds after the War!!
Many thanks for your interest,Regards Roger [HB]

Thanks Roger. I think I remember the shop - it was called Wells Antiques. Brewster is still a great Maldon name!

Best regards.
SPN
Maldon

[14-18]

rkirb5, on 04 July 2011 - 04:14 AM, said:

Hi Elizabeth

Well done, I have done a few like that. They give you a good idea of the medals, without a huge cost.
Now you have something to research, try doing a family tree as well, some can be interesting!

regards

Robert

This is just how I started and it's now progressed into an expensive hobby, or should I say addiction!

[DavoT]

Yes Elizabeth, you will be hooked now. I too started ???   years ago and have found and continue to find info on the person behind the medal. Enjoy as they are worth remembering.

Cheers,

David

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Quote

Uncle George Brewster {Liverpool R. & RE} & one time Landlord of the Volunteer on Wantz Road lived in Maldon

This may be of inteest if you have not already seen it.

Dave

http://www.londonpub...volunteer.shtml

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Many thanks i'd not seen that before ta!! HB

[Droocoo]

Congratulations Elizabeth!


I became hooked from the age of 4 when I decided to collect medals; my first being a German War Merit Medal 3rd Class. Since then, my pocket has been dry...... Addicting stuff believe me!

[auchonvillerssomme]

I bought my first medal, a Victory to R.E, in 1971, I don't really collect now but at its best in the mid to late 80's , I had probably 2000 mainly trios and pairs plus examples of every campaign medal (not every bar) from the Crimea onwards including 16 MM pairs and 12 MM trios, my MM collection once went up to over 30, plus the best collection of 3rd Reich medals and badges you have ever seen, then one day I was caught out with a very good well named medal, that one single event disheartened me so much I sold the lot. Once they had gone, I regretted it forever after.

[Steelback]

Nice start to a collection - now the bug will really start to bite

[Matt Richards]

A great start! Sometimes those lonely medals with no bids can tell the most interesting stories of the men who earned them. I'm up to 55 servicemen and haven't added any new ones in a long time, however, I feel the itch coming back. I've really missed reading the men's service records.