This is the War Cross issued by France prior to it’s defeat by Germany in 1940.
1939 Croix de Guerre
Posted in Valour Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeEvaders Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Camp System, France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is the French Evader’s Medal. Given to those who fled their labour conscription in Germany.
Vichy France Croix de Guerre
Posted in Valour Medals with tags France (Vichy), WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is the War Cross for 1939-1940 from the Vichy Government of France.
A Birchall Casualty from El Alamein
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags El Alamein, Family Groups and Singles, North Africa, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The Dude
This is an unmarked group but I received it with a packet of papers indicating it belonged to Signalman John J. Birchall, killed at El Alamein in Egypt on the 23rd of November 1942. John’s number was 2367713 and he belonged to 1st Armoured Brigade Signals, Royal Corps of Signals at the time of his death. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Birchall of St. Helens, Lancashire.
The final photo is of the El Alamein War Cemetery where John is buried.
A Birchall Group from Desert Storm
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags 1st Iraq War, Desert Storm, Family Groups and Singles, Iraq, Kuwait, United Kingdom on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is a group for the 1st Iraq War with a Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and a Gulf Medal with a bar for 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991. The medal is impressed to 24792731 LCpl A.J.Birchall R. Signals.
A Birchall in the Malayan Emergency
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Malaya, Malaya Emergency, United Kingdom on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is a EIIR GSM with a Malaya Bar marked to 22670124 A.Birchall R.A.M.C.
A First World War Merchantile Marine Medal to Birchall
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Maritime Medals, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeAwarded to anyone who sailed through one of the “war zones” in World War One, this medal is named to Frederick J. Birchall. Frederick James Birchall came from Liverpool.
1939 Verwundetenabzeichen im Silber
Posted in Valour Medals with tags Germany (Third Reich), Heer, WW2 on April 21, 2013 by The Dude
This Wound Badge in Silver is marked L22 for Glaser & Söhne of Dresden.
A Birchall Casualty from Arras, France, May 1917
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Arras, Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis is the WW1 group for Benjamin Lawrence Birchall, who died of wounds at the 37th Casualty Clearing Station at Avesnes-le-Comte on the 11th of May, 1917. He was a Gunner for the Royal Field Artillery and was in the 17th Division Ammunition Column at the time of his wounding. Each medal is stamped 76646 L.Birchall RA.
He was the son of Benjamin R. Birchall and Elizabeth A. Birchall of Drummany, Sterlogan Park, Blackrock, Dublin. His death penny is named Lawrence Birchall.
The final photo is of the Avesnes-le-Comte Communal Extension Cematary where he is buried.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Defence Passive Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Defence Passive” for regular resistance fighters.
Medal Packets for Commonwealth WW2 Campaign Medals
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Paper with tags Cases & Award Packets, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis illustrates the variety of packets that the Commonwealth campaign medals were distributed in.
Volkswagen KDF Factory Foundation Badge
Posted in Medallions & Badges with tags DAF, Germany (Third Reich), Kdfwagen, Volkswagen, WW2 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThese badges are tough to find. There are a ton of fakes out there. The only helpful thing is that the fakes are made from various metals whereas the originals were made exclusively from a really light zinc alloy. Basically if you hold it and you can feel the weight, it’s a fake. There are some examples of common fakes here.
Swiss West End Watch Co Trench Watch.
Posted in Timepieces with tags Trenches, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis watch, by West End Watch Company, is a “Silidar” model, near the top end. It has an enamel face which dates it to prior to WW2. The watch case is the classic trench watch type, raised.
Newfoundland Volunteer Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Canada, Newfoundland, WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeIn 1949 Newfoundland joined the Confederation of Canada. In 1981 the Government decided to create and award this medal to the servicemen of Newfoundland who served overseas and did not receive a service medal from any other country. They were not eligible for the Canadian medal since they were not a part of Canada during WW2. This is mine, one of 800 issued. I have one original and one reproduction.
Hitler’s Pocket Change
Posted in Money with tags Germany (Third Reich), WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeYeah, it’s a 10 Reichspfennig aluminium coin. Someone stuck it in my Christmas card one year.
Award Case for The Kings Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Cases & Award Packets, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeThis case is for the woman’s issue of the Kings Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom. My medal is a men’s issue so it won’t fit this case. If anyone is looking for one of these then ping me. 
A Birchall Wartime Red Cross Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Red Cross, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeThis British Red Cross Proficiency Medal was issued to a Mrs. F. Birchall in 1940. I can’t make out the full name on the certificate because it is smudged. So it goes.
Arnold Submarine Tin Toy Box Post 1945
Posted in Toys with tags Germany (Post 1945), Tin Toys, WW2 on April 19, 2013 by The Dude
This is the box used to market the Arnold clockwork tin toy submarine similar to the one pictured above. The only difference between this toy and the 1938 model is that this one has a white star on the conning tower in place of the swastika on the earlier toy. This carton is in overall good condition with some cardboard loss on one of the ends.
Unknown Japanese Tin Tank 1960’s
Posted in Toys with tags Empire of Japan, Tin Toys on April 19, 2013 by The Dude
This tank is marketed as a “Sparkling Tank” although I can’t work out what that would refer to. It is clockwork and the mechanism still works although it’s a bit sluggish. As the tank moves along the commanders head pops up and down through the turret hatch. Cheesey.
A Birchall Group from the Anglo-Egyptian War 1882
Posted in 1850-1900 Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Anglo-Egyptian War, Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom on April 19, 2013 by The DudeAn Egypt Medal with the Tel-El-Kebir bar along with the Khedive’s Medal, awarded to 2301 Pte. P Birchall 7/Dragoon Guards. It says on the medal roll for the Egypt medal that he was serving with the depot. However the Khedive roll has him with the regiment. The Chelsea Hospital records show him discharged from hospital without pension in April, 1884.
A Birchall Medal Group from the Palestine Mandate
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Palestine, United Kingdom on April 19, 2013 by The DudeOkay, this is a small family group but interesting. The 1939-45 Victory Medal means he was enlisted in 1945 but missed being deployed to any of the war zones. The Palestine Bar on the GSM means he deployed to Palestine during the emergency there between 1945 and 1948. The medal group is named to 1445860 Gnr W.Birchall R.A. The medal roll below indicates he was attached to 66th Battery, Airborne Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.
A Birchall Group from the Troubles
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom on April 19, 2013 by The DudeThis is a group awarded to 23849729 Sgt J.S. Birchall Royal Signals. One medal is the GSM with the Northern Ireland Bar. The other is the LSGC medal with the Regular Army bar.
A Birchall Casualty Group from Passchendaele
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Passchendaele, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 18, 2013 by The DudePublished in the Reporter 6th October 1917.
BARDSLEY SOLDIER. Sgt-Major W. Birchall Dies from Wounds. It was with much regret that the people in Bardsley learned this week that 350051 Sergeant-Major WILLIAM BIRCHALL, Manchester Regiment, T.F. C Coy 1/9th battalion, had passed away as the result of wounds received whilst serving with the forces in France. News that he had been wounded in the right leg came through to his wife and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Birchall, of Bardsley, last week, and on Wednesday morning of this week a letter came from the Rev. G.M.Wheeler, Church of England chaplain, stating that he never recovered from his collapse, and passed peacefully away to his rest and reward.
By all who knew him in Bardsley, Sergeant-Major BIRCHALL was respected and beloved for his kindliness and ever present desire to do a good turn to anyone in need of it. He joined the Volunteers 17 years ago. He visited New Zealand after his sister’s death, which took place at her uncle’s in Dunedin, and whilst he was away he joined the Dunedin City Guards. He was away rather over 12 months, and on his return he entered the Territorials. He was colour-sergeant when they were called up for service in August 1914, and went to Egypt and the Dardanelles [He landed at Gallipoli 9th May 1915].
During that campaign he was slightly wounded in the chest. Later he came to France. He was there wounded in the neck by a piece of shell, and on recovery rejoined his regiment, and removed with them to Belgium, where he was wounded on the 16th September, sustaining a compound fracture of the right leg. He died on the 25th September, and was buried in the military cemetery near the clearing station by the Church of England chaplain, Re. G.M. Wheeler.
He was 36 years old. The family are associated with Bardsley Church and School, and are much asteemed in the village. He leaves a wife, Mrs Edith Birchall, of 27, Ann St, Roslyn, Dunedin, New Zealand, and two children, a boy and a girl. (William Birchall is buried in the Mendinghem Military Cemetery pictured below).
William’s gravestone
A Birchall Military Medal Group from the Somme
Posted in Family Groups & Singles, Valour Medals with tags Family Groups and Singles, Somme, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 18, 2013 by The DudeThis Military Medal was awarded to Richard Burchell R.F.A. service number 686, gazetted 21st October 1918. He was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery. The rank on the Military Medal is Acting Lance Bombadier while on his medal card it shows it as the obsolete rank of Lance Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal for actions including driving shells up to the guns while under direct fire from German artillery. According to his records he was reduced in rank in May 1917 after being AWOL for 3 days. Court martialled and sentenced to Field Punishment Number 2 and ordered to forfeit a weeks pay. Apparently after being wounded at Beaumont Hamel he was evacuated to a base hospital and returned to the line on October 5th 1916. He was lucky not to forfeit the Military Medal. His Territorial Service Medal shows his movement to the Royal Artillery and his peacetime rank of driver.
Soviet Moldova 40th Anniversary Table Medal
Posted in Plaques, Table Medals & Awards with tags Moldova, Soviet Union on April 17, 2013 by The Dude
This is an aluminium cast table medal celebrating the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Moldava from Nazi Germany. I love the iconography on Soviet stuff.
Kiwi Medals 