Hi from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Jelmer · #1 29-07-14, 11:04 AM

Hi folks,
New to collecting and new to the Forum so wanted to say hi. I am an absolute novice but have been busy reading the forum.
Always had an interest in WW1 as my great grandfather was in Gallipoli.
He was with the 11th Light Horse Regiment (4th L.H. Bde.) machine gunner section as a Gunner in A Squadron (joined 24th March 1915) and later transferred to 2nd Light Horse Regiment (D Squadron) 29th August 1915, and spent about 3 months in Gallipoli before being evacuated ill.

But what triggered my desire to collect was a trip to France with work in the last couple weeks and spent a couple days in the Somme. Stayed in Amiens and visited a number of the areas ingrained into our Education and Australian History. Places like Pozieres and Villers-Brettonneux. After visiting the Australian memorial in Villers, I don't mind saying I shed a tear, very emotional experience.
Whilst in France I purchased a couple very old worn Rising Sun Badges for my two boys, this kick started a desire to continue with searching and maybe acquiring the odd item from that era.

So my search begins, but hoping the knowledgeable members on the forum can help me begin my collection with advice to help me steer clear of any Dodgy items out there.

Look forward to sharing some acquisitions as soon as I find some items.

Thanks
Jason

Charliedog012012 · #2 29-07-14, 07:54 PM

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. You will find the members of the forum are more than willing to offer friendly comment and advice in abundance. All you have to do is ask. I have found them to be informative and down to Earth. I am glad that you have been able to visit the Somme. As a WW1 fanatic myself I am more than aware of the significance of places such as Pozieres and Mouquet farm (mucky farm) for Australians. The Aussies were true and loyal soldiers and brave, magnificent men deserving of the greatest respect. I too have shed tears when visiting Pozieres and other places on the Somme. One has to visit these places to understand the impossible odds that the soldiers faced and to understand just how heroic they were. Welcome!
Regards
James

Roy · #3 29-07-14, 08:06 PM

Hi Jason,

A heartfelt 'welcome' to the forum. Some great chaps here, so I'm sure you will enjoy being a part of this forum.

Cheers, Roy.

ubervamp · #4 29-07-14, 09:49 PM

Hi Jason, and welcome to the forum!

Many knowledgable and helpful members here, so don't hesitate to ask !

I share your interest in WW1, but have not yet had the oppportunity to visit the Somme.

I look forward to seeing your finds!

Colin

slick_mick · #5 29-07-14, 09:57 PM

Welcome Jason!

Always happy to help a fellow Queenslander!

Mick

Lancer 17 · #6 30-07-14, 07:47 AM

G'day Jason

Welcome to the forum, there are lots of Aussies here on the forum with lots of knowledge and help.

Have a look at the Aussie section of the forum and go to the Rising Sun section, there is lots of good info here for a beginner.

Always glad to help.

Cheers

Phil.

Jelmer · #7 30-07-14, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome folks, and a G'day from me to.....

have just bought my first piece to kick start the collection.
Have grabbed a Kings Colonials C Squadron (Australasian) Badge. Have read on here about a lot of fakes. Will post it in the Australian Section of the forum for feedback. Bought from what seems a reliable online Militaria site, who informs me they bought it at Auction from Bosleys UK, so seems legit.

Fingers crossed, thanks again for the welcome.

Jason

slick_mick · #8 30-07-14, 09:00 AM

Be careful with that badge.

Lots of copies (including old restrikes) exist of that badge.

I'd be very careful buying that badge from places like eBay.

It is after all over 100 years old, and worn only by one cavalry squadron so you wouldn't expect to see too many around.

Mick

Jelmer · #9 30-07-14, 11:07 AM

Hi mick,
Would you mind taking a look at this, and let me know your thoughts.

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...678#post271678

What do you think? Have I got a Dud!

Thanks
Jason

slick_mick · #10 30-07-14, 10:37 PM

Mate,

I really don't know enough about it I'm afraid.

I was told that some of the restrikes of this badge are quite old now (they were made using the original die) so its quite difficult to tell them apart.

Mick

Lancer 17 · #11 04-08-14, 12:36 PM

Hi Jelmer

As Slick Mick has said these badges have been repro"d over and over.

I have 2 Australasians, one is an old one with lots of dark patina and E-W lugs that are mounted on the ends of the name scroll. I got this in the 1970's from a reputable and knowledgeable dealer in Melbourne (whos now deceased) and Im happy that it is a good one.

I also have a very yellow one with N - S lugs with no age or patina that I got from an army disposal store in Melbourne in the mid 70's for $25 and its a dud for sure.

If you would like to pm me your email address I will send photos through to you.

To me the lugs on yours are in the wrong place and its too yellow.

I hope that this helps.

Cheers

Phil.

Rockape · #12 04-08-14, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancer 17

To me the lugs on yours are in the wrong place and its too yellow.

Hi Phil,

I know your view from our previous discussions that yellow metal badges are not the real deal and that we seem still disagree with this particular point. It would be a boring place if we all agreed all of the time

I would like to suggest that we both avoid confusing newcomers to this subject by excluding notions from our discussion that a particular badge in our collection is OK so the other must be wrong, unless you have 100% certainty (provenance) that it is the case.

Someday we will answer this question on metals by accessing examples from a collection that was previously unavailable to the public.

Gaz

mooke07 · #13 09-08-14, 05:22 AM

Welcome to the Forum Jason - Brisbane has a couple of Forum members and British badges are my thing - hope we can meet up at some point at the Brisbane Arms Fair perhaps, will send you a M when the next one is on, cheers Dean.

Jelmer · #14 09-08-14, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooke07

Welcome to the Forum Jason - Brisbane has a couple of Forum members and British badges are my thing - hope we can meet up at some point at the Brisbane Arms Fair perhaps, will send you a M when the next one is on, cheers Dean.

Hi Dean,
Thanks for the Welcome, mate I would love to catch up at the Arms Fair. I have never been to one. I have two lads 12 and 14 who I reckon would love to see it as well. What time of the year are they generally on?

Thanks
Jason

mooke07 · #15 10-08-14, 09:04 AM

Hi Jason,

25th and 26th October will be the next Big Show Antiques and Militaria will be I think the next one - there is one at Redbank Plains which is the Brisbane Arms Fair but not sure when the next one is for that. The Brisbane one is in the John Reid aviation at the RNA Show Grounds. 9am-5pm. I have some dealers that i prefer to see with genuine badges and so will let you know which of these shows they will be at - bit crazy two shows but that is Brisbane for you.

Happy to introduce you - Les Stillman and Dave Wright are decent Victorian chaps and they are good to see for Australian badges - Slick Mick is a good fellow as well and he does some badges and great military history books - he sells with my wife's second cousin Glen so has to be good ! Plenty of other dealers and lots of medals, books and guns etc.

Happy to introduce you and make sure you get genuine badges for the lads.

All the best, Dean.