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I have to say, it is very rare that I am found to be in awe of my own body. It usually malfunctions in such a way that I wonder who the hell wired it up. However, yesterday proved to be a proud day in my life. Not because of something good my body did, but it was at least natural. Making our way back from Euro Disney, Aliya, Susanna and I were sat in the 1st class lounge at St Pancras station, (yes.....I am THAT posh). I had had a troubling 5 days in that my bowel habits had been thrown into complete turmoil by the change in climate and food. My body had decided the best way it could alert me to the issues was to firstly stop me pooing, and secondly to turn my wind into something akin to chemical warfare. It was at this point, in the 1st class lounge, that my body decided it needed to expel something like tear gas, but a LOT worse, from my bowels. To say it smelt like bad eggs would do a dis-service to bad eggs. This was bad eggs PLUS PLUS PLUS, with extra bad egg. Susanna and Aliya obviously expressed a little concern, (Aliya had to have 15 minutes of oxygen and an antidote), but I thought the smell, in true bloke style, quite impressive. At this very moment, 4 couples walked into the first class lounge, expressing relief at being able to sit in a warm, convivial atmosphere whilst awaiting their train. As they headed close to where we were sat, I noticed a slight change in their mood. Only slight mind you. 'JESUS!!! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SMELL!!!!' exclaimed one. 'OH MY GOOD GOD! THAT IS HORRIFIC!!' exclaimed another. 'Oh.....OH...... (sounds of wretching)....oh OH OH MY GOD!! Is that the drains????' exclaimed another. 'Oh JESUS! I can't possibly stay in HERE! The drains must have backed up!' 'That is worse than drains......that's the whole sewerage system backing up!' All 8 people then vacated the 1st class lounge, telling the poor guy manning the door it was disgusting that they should have a 1st class lounge that smelled so absolutely disgusting and they need to get the drains fixed. 20 seconds later, in walk two ladies from the group of 8, to brave the toxic fumes to get everyone a drink. They made it clear to everyone in the lounge that they were there because they weren't on the verge of throwing up, but continually talked about the terrible sewerage system of St Pancras station and how they'll probably never return there again. One of the proudest moments of my 48 years of life. One of MY farts, being strong enough to force 8 people out of the 1st class lounge at St Pancras station. I can now die happy......... Euro Disney was awesome as well!

The photograph shows the recently re-discovered war souvenirs that British 14th Army veteran Mike Wagster brought back with him from the fighting against the Japanese in Burma in WW2. Amongst his own items are photographs taken with his mates, a manual on Japanese Notes For Forward Units, an official leaflet given to him when he joined up for the Army and a magazine detailing the victory over the Japanese in Burma. His experiences in the jungles of Burma were probably like those of many of the veterans-pretty unpleasant against a brutal and cruel enemy where no quarter would be given an enemy that preferred a suicidal final charge to surrender. Many thought all the horror stories about the Japanese were propaganda but once in theatre soon realized the stories were true. The folded Rising Sun flag is perhaps one of the classic souvenirs and many were brought back some having prayers and messages written on them as good luck tokens. This flag was taken from a dead Japanese and it had been stuck over the end of his rifle hence the small tear in its centre. Also in the picture are two brass data plates which were taken from the inside of a Japanese tank, a nice early model Arisaka rifle bayonet, a gas mask filter which was found in a Jap Command post along with the Sake (Rice Wine) bag. Also pictured are Japanese and Allied occupation banknotes, there is also part of an un-used insignia tab originally found attached to a piece of card. I hope to get the flag, photos, data plates and banknotes all framed up at some point as they will make an amazing display . Cheers Tim.

Revolver Chamelot Delvigne Mod. 1873 Navy Manufacture d’ Armes de St Etienne Navy issue ( anchor on butt by lanyard ring) + P.P stamped on barrel ( re-issued to prefecture of police) M in circle: Colonel Maignien, director MAS 1873-1882 J in circle: Jeuffroy. Controleur principal MAS from 1864 Manufactured 1878 marked S1878 ( total manufactured 3340, serial nr 1097) 1.18kg Cal. 11mm 6rnds Barrel 114mm rifled 4 right. L 242 mm

Here is an nice example of the Italian/German medal issued to German soldiers in North Africa. This medal was only issued to German forces that served or had seen service in North Africa. The medal obverse shows two gladiators that represent Germany and Italy fighting with a crocodile that represents England. The reverse shows the famous Arco De Feleni and both countries national emblems. The medal itself is a type two version. The photo of the Heer soldier in Africa is a very interesting one, as he is wearing a later 1st pattern tropical field blouse with larger breast pockets and his cap still has a waffenfarbe soutache attached. He is also wearing 3rd pattern tropical boots that show hard wear and fading and I would place this photo as early to mid 1942.

Ohh, I,ve just had another idea, Get one of those large cardboard tubes that you get from the inner of a carpet, they are normally about 7 or 8 feet in length and pretty large in circumference, you can put each belt on them ,stack them and secure them by elastic bands at the rear, and just have it from floor to ceiling, a bit like a TR totem pole, they,ll look neat, they,ll be stacked and secure and out of the way and safe from falling over, and they will retain the shape of the belt.You know sometimes I surprise myself with how clever I am

Very weird but oddly intriguing.

what about a ceiling hook attached to a moderate sized rope. put a nice piece of wood at the bottom end of the rope and stack the belts up. You could have then suspended from the ceiling at a couple of different heights.

Not you , The Field Marshal,... he can be mean at times

This is a fantastic thread to see and I love the idea @the colonel @Utah Bob you are a top man and most generous D

More detailed pictures of the tunic I posted in one of @Lenny posts. The Waffenfarbe is Brown for Signals.

Just realised i've not introduced myself....sorry guys. Well, I'm almost 60, and have been researching my uncles carreer in the RAFVR flying Mosquitos for the last 15 years, and by god, it's been fun. Have found out some amazing facts, and still not nearly finished yet. Also doing his bros time in the paras, end of WW2 to 1948, after Palestine,.plus my paternal Grandfathers time in the RA during the Blitz in London, Scapa Flow and the South Coast. Loving all of it...;) I'm collecting mainly items to do with the time the family members served, but pick up odd things at car boots and junk shops, just cant help myself. When I'm not doing that, I go hunting for deer and fox, I shoot three calibres of centre fire , on my syndicate place, and farms I have permission to shoot on. I do a wee bit shotgun stuff too. I also go sea angling, on my mates boat, mainly for Tope and Common Skate, the biggest was 13lbs over the UK record, which is 227lbs...:) It's all gone downhill from there...:) Up till recently, i had my own wee boat, a seahog shortie, with a 50hp four stroke, but sold it due to lack of use...:) Anyway, a great place this, I've been on the FB page for a good while, but this site is amazing.

Got a couple of new WWI British examples . A No.19, and a No.35. Neither is 100% original ( repro plunger on 19, & 35 body is a refurb) I'm still happy with both! I collect pretty much all eras of grenades but there's just something about these WWI pieces. it just feels like you HAVE something!

Friendly price and made of Italian tropical cloth,the same used for the Regio Esercito Saharianas!Cracking tunic indeed! Cheers Manu

It was all going well until you mentioned you were from Falkirk... Only joking, I'm fae Pishy Wishy. Welcome, great bunch of guys here...

We are a very friendly lot and hardly bite at all

Hi everyone, I have just acquired a RAF battledress tunic, and it has no markings, just what I wanted. Some time ago, I bought from a trade show a set of Pilots wings for the RCAF and some RCAF "CANADA" shoulder boards. Now I have no idea how to attach them properly to the tunic. Any advice would be very helpful! And I will be grateful! I'm also looking for information for what "rank" markings would be appropriate, i'm thinking Captain or Colonel, and what they might look like. A side note, the Pilots wings backing has fallen off, would it be better to sew it back on, the onto the tunic or just attach it the way it is? Thanks ~Ryan

Hiya, I'm researching a pilot KIA in 1942, he was my uncles best friend, .he's from Saskatchewan too, ( cant remember the town) anyway, I got in touch with the local Legion Club, they were a great help...:)

Hi Manu, I have removed the part in my post that offended you. I have no desire to discuss politics in a thread about a medal in my collection, but I will state that I have the utmost respect for the Italian armed forces, who have been much maligned for there lack of fighting prowess during and since the end of WW2. D

Those are very nice examples, whether refurbed or not

Problem being is all eight died later, unhappy, does prove a point though, like we,ve always said your full of jobby

I like the lighting bit Lenny,but will always remain astounded at that poor Incendiary and how its been 'Trench-Arted'.

Lets not go down that tank barrel, just saying!!!!!!

I,m buggered if I,m going to have it off with a sherman tank, I would,nt know which end to put it in, one end i,d get me rollocks blown off, the other would be covered in soot from the exhaust pipe, oh wait, perhaps I have been there before!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's an nice combat worn one and original SS apple green M35. D

Thanks for the suggestions, but think I'll stick with my leaning wall of buckles, in the meantime anyway...

Can't find the proper pics, only a low res gif. Wasn't mint by any means, but was real... The SS runes had been lacquered as they had started to left.

Top class piece in very nice condition too.

Now thats just being plain mean, We suggest a perfectly good and adequate solution to your problem and get shot down in flames, theres no pleasing some people

Yep, I think NORRIE's correct.it is an arm badge, thought it looked familiar but didn't think about it any more than that, always other stuff on here to peruse too...

Aye right, like that's gonna happen....

That is a terrific piece of tropical kit, and getting harder to find nowdays in such good condition.

I was with the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tolz, Southern Bavaria in 67-68 and then they moved us to Massachusetts in 68. I left the group in 69 bound for the 1st cavalry Division in Vietnam. That's me in the red circle. Just a boy.

Fantastic article @Spaceinvader

Not sure but I think it would still have the Royal crown and wreath on it either way

I didn't know the Germans issued a .22 cal. military Mauser rifle. That impact is not from an 8mm Mauser.

LOL I think if I dug around in the back of my cupboards, I may find something that resembles the offering there.

Nice cap looks really good.

Ok, here's a post I've just put on our FB page...

I would go with Hams idea, there were a lot of Sergeant pilots in the RAF and RCAF, , more so than senior flight officers really, plus stripes on both arms looks better than chevrons on cuffs,plus a nice side cap. Its not too hard to sew the insignias on, just dont go right through the material of the Battle dress, or it will look terrible on the inside, some neat tacking stitches on all insignias will secure them tightly to the uniform, and use blue cotton thread not synthetic or nylon and dont forget, the pilot wings go on the breast above the pocket

@Panzer_Commander, you might be able to help me, I'm currently researching a Canadian pilot KIA aug44 while on an SOE mission, trying to find any living relatives, he was from Garrick, Saskatchewan, whos best to contact about this ???

Finally managed to get my bd displayed on a dummy to go down the museum. I will be changing him to a BD company thou