MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY CURIOS
Considerations respecting miscellaneous curios--Battlefield
souvenirs--Regimental colours--Odds and ends of dress equipment--
Books and newspapers of military interest--Royal souvenirs--
Official military documents--Gruesome relics--Relics of the Great
War
Among the most acceptable military curios are those which may be
classed as miscellaneous; they range from fragments of "Black Marias"
to chocolate tins, and Prussian helmets to early copies of the Army
List. Treasures which come under this head are to be found at almost
every turn--in sale-rooms, in the shop windows of second-hand dealers,
in cottages and mansions, in local museums--almost everywhere, in fact.
Curiously enough, the military treasures which may be described as
miscellaneous are usually to be picked up very cheaply, for there is a
much smaller demand for them than there is for such groups of things as
medals, firearms, and armour and, of course, the price is regulated by
the demand.
There is one axiom which must be always kept in view when purchasing
odd military curios. It is not sufficient to know, in our own minds,
that a certain article is genuine; we must know enough to be able to
prove the fact to other collectors or else the "selling-price" value
of the treasure will be little more than nothing. Of course, with such
things as medals, autographs, weapons, etc., it is merely the work of
an expert to say whether a certain specimen is genuine or not, but
no amount of careful examination can ever decide the authenticity of
a certain souvenir said to belong, perhaps, to Wellington, or the
genuineness of a shot which was supposed to have caused the death of
such and such a great soldier. Relics of this nature must be backed
with good documentary evidence or their value can be but trifling. A
case in point may be given by way of an example:--
A soldier recently showed the writer a pocket-knife, bearing the
coat-of-arms of Cologne, which he picked up on the battlefield of
Ypres. The soldier naturally valued the knife for its associations, but
as a military curio its worth was no more than that of a second-hand,
much used, pocket-knife since he could in no way prove how he found it.
* * * * *
For the sake of method, we have grouped the miscellaneous curios
with which we shall deal under certain heads, the first of which is
"Battlefield Souvenirs."
These trophies of war are, of course, full of interest; the present
conflict has given us a good many specimens such as Prussian helmets,
German infantry caps, and shells of various calibre. They should all be
highly prized as long as they are in good condition and their identity
can be established.
There are many interesting battlefield souvenirs to be seen in the
Royal United Service Museum. One is the railway-station board from
Tel-el-Kebir, which stood in the midst of the fighting on September 13,
1882, when the British, 17,000 strong, attacked and stormed Arabi's
entrenchments defended by 22,000 Egyptians.
Another is a leaden ball found on the spot where Major-General James
Wolfe received his mortal wound on the Plains of Abraham at the taking
of Quebec, 1759.
A third souvenir is a grape shot found on an embankment on the Island
of Capri, and believed to have been one of those used by the French in
the siege of the island. Capri, it may be said, was held by the British
under Sir Hudson Lowe from 1806 to 1808. In the latter year, King Murat
of Naples sent a force of French troops, under General Lemarque, to
besiege the island, and took it after thirteen days' siege.
Yet another souvenir which may be described as from the battlefield
is an officer's memorandum book. Captain F. W. Lyons, of the South
Staffordshire Regiment, had this book in his breast-pocket whilst
attacking the stockade on the Tumbiling River, in Penang, in 1904, when
it was struck by a bullet with no worse result to Captain Lyons than a
severe bruise on the chest.
A fifth exhibit is a piece of the gate of Hougomont, which was riddled
with bullets during the fighting at Waterloo.
The last to be mentioned here is a gun used in Mafeking during the
siege. This gun, so the description added to the exhibit runs, was
made in the railway workshops at Mafeking during the siege. The core
is a steel steam-pipe, round which were lapped bars of iron, which
were hammered and turned into their present condition. The trunnions
and breech are castings of brass. For the castings, a blast furnace
was improvised out of an iron water-tank lined with fire-bricks, the
draught being forced through the pipe of a vacuum brake off a railway
carriage.
The shells of the gun were similarly cast, and were loaded with powder,
and exploded by a slow match which was ignited by the flame of the
discharge. The powder was also manufactured in Mafeking.
On one occasion the breech blew out, and was repaired and fixed with
the stout iron holding-bands which may be seen connecting the breech
to the trunnion-block. The gun was nicknamed "The Wolf" after Colonel
Baden-Powell, whose nickname this was among the people of the North.
=Regimental Colours.=--Under this heading a number of most
interesting relics of the battlefield may be grouped. It is true that
specimens are never available for the private collector of military
curios, but as most cathedrals and many museums possess examples, we
cannot pass them over without some mention.
The Royal United Service Museum houses a score or more of these
trophies of war, but probably the most attractive are the following:--
1. Drapeau du 52^e Régiment, formerly Le Régiment la Fére, formed in
1654, taken at Bastia, 1794. It is one of the earliest French colours
known to be in existence. It is white, with a tri-colour of blue,
white, and red in the upper canton, showing that it belonged to the 1st
Battalion. It has also a tri-colour border of blue, white, and red on
either of the three edges.
2. Drapeau des Volontaires du Département de la Corse, 1791-4. Also
taken at Bastia in 1794. It is a tri-colour of blue, white, and red,
the blue being on the top, and then the colours white and red. On the
one side, within a wreath, are the words "Viver, Liber. I. O. Morire,"
in gold, evidently the Corsican patois for "Je meurs pour vivre libre,"
and on the reverse "Republica Francese."
3. A guidon of the 62nd Regiment, 1812, taken in Wellington's victory
over the French at Salamanca. It was brought home and laid at the feet
of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent by Captain Lord Clinton, 16th
Light Dragoons, Aide-de-camp to the Earl of Wellington.
4. A quartette of guidons of the 23rd Light Dragoons, circa 1803-15,
believed to have led the regiment in its celebrated charge at Talavera
in 1809. The regiment was in Anson's brigade, which was ordered by
Sir Arthur Wellesley to attack Villatte's Division, and the 23rd,
starting at a canter and increasing their speed as they advanced, rode
headlong against the enemy, but in a few minutes came upon the brink of
a hollow cleft, which was not perceptible at a distance. The regiment
plunged down without a check, men and horses rolling over each other
in dreadful confusion. The survivors mounted the opposite bank, by
twos and threes, and rallying passed through the midst of Villatte's
columns, which poured in a fire from each side, and fell upon a brigade
of French chasseurs in the rear. The combat was fierce, but short; for
fresh troops came up when the 23rd, already overmatched, could scarcely
hold up against the chasseurs. The regiment lost two hundred and seven
men and officers, or about half the number that went into action.
The facings of the regiment being crimson the first guidon was, as
usual, of that hue. For distinction's sake, though hardly in accordance
with the regulations, the other guidons were blue. It is impossible to
decide with exact certainty the date when they were made, but probably
soon after the regiment was renumbered, in 1803.[32]
[32] The description of these colours are those given with the exhibits.
=Odds and Ends of Dress Equipment.=--Of curios coming within this
class the collector should be able to gather quite an abundance of
valuable material, ranging from, say, Royalist powder-flasks to the
sashes worn by celebrated soldiers on historic occasions. The Royal
United Service Museum, that treasure-house of military curios, has the
following interesting exhibits worthy of mention under this head:--
1. The dress worn by Tippoo Sahib, Sultan of Mysore, during the Siege
of Seringapatam, in 1799. It is thickly padded with leather, and the
head-dress, which has the appearance of green velvet, is in reality a
very effective helmet.
2. A cavalry cloak which belonged to Captain Nolan, 15th Hussars,
who fell in the charge at Balaklava. Captain Nolan was A.D.C. to the
Quartermaster-General, when he conveyed to Brigadier-General the Earl
of Cardigan the famous order for the Charge of the Light Brigade.
3. An officer's silk sash used in supporting Sir John Moore when
carried in a blanket from the battlefield of Coruña to the Citadel
after he was mortally wounded on January 16, 1809.
4. A civilian's hat worn by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, who
commanded the Third Division at the Battle of Vittoria, June 21, 1813,
when the French army was totally defeated by the allied armies. He wore
the civilian head-dress owing to inflammation of the eyes.
5. A saddle used by Field-Marshal Prince Blücher von Wahlstadt at the
Battle of Waterloo.
6. An umbrella of King Prempeh, who was taken prisoner by the British
troops under Colonel Sir Francis Scott at Coomassie in 1896. The
umbrella was presented to Her late Majesty Queen Victoria.[33]
[33] The descriptions are those given with the exhibits at the Museum.
=Books and Newspapers of Military Interest.=--In this class quite
a wide range of matter is to be found. Books on military subjects
containing fine illustrations, especially when coloured, are always
valuable, and if more than seventy or eighty years old are never likely
to depreciate in worth. When the illustrations depict army dress
or refer to implements of warfare, the books should be especially
prized. Volumes having for the subjects the descriptions of battles
or accounts of tactics are, however, not sought for, as a rule. The
Army List must not be forgotten. Early copies--the first appeared
in 1814--are eagerly snapped up whenever offered for sale--as many
soldiers of rank endeavour to secure complete sets of them.
[Illustration:
LIGHT HORSE VOLUNTEERS,
Of LONDON AND WESTMINSTER.
The Committee of this Corps', considering with
serious attention the present critical, situation of
the Country, and conceiving that every well-wisher
to its Constitution and Government would be desirous
of affording his individual support at this
period, (and particularly should his Majesty's endeavours
to conclude a safe and honourable Peace
with our enemies prove ineffectual), have thought
it proper to make Known to the Public the following
Abstract of the Rules and Regulations unanimously
agreed to by the Corps, viz.--This Corps,
instituted in 1779, and revived in 1794, consists,
when complete, of 300 Gentlemen, commanded by
two Field Officers, six Captains, six Lieutenants,
six Cornets, and an Adjutant, chosen from among
themselves and commissioned by his Majesty; subject
to be called out in case of invasion, appearance
of invasion, or insurrection, and to do duty in the
metropolis only, or within the distance of ten miles.
When not on actual service, all matters are regulated
by a Committee of twelve Privates and nine
Officers; and in case of death or resignation, a private
may be elected to any rank in the corps.
The first expense for uniforms, arms, accoutrements
and horse furniture, does not amount to 30l,
and the annual subscription is only ten guineas,
which may be considered as amply compensated by
the following advantages:--
Every gentleman is taught riding, fencing, and
the swords exercise on horseback by the best masters,
in the pay of the corps.
He is exempted from the Militia, the tax for one
horse, and the powder tax (if he chooses to avail
himself of that privilege), and also the ballot for the
proposed supernumerary Militia and Cavalry.
His horse is broke and kept in constant exercise
at the stables of the corps (should he prefer sending
him there), where he stands at less expense than at
livery.
There are no expensive meetings, and the attendance
at such as are occasionally appointed by
the Committee, is always optional.
The corps is composed in general of men of extensive
business, and the hours of exercise are regulated
in such a manner as seldom to prove of any inconvenience.
It is only necessary to attend the drills till a certificate
of being fit for duty is obtained from the
commanding officer.
The civil and military regulations of the corps
more at large may be perused by applying to the
Secretary, or any Gentleman of the Committee.
_No. 194, Strand_, By Order,
_Nov_, 8, 1796. EDW. HUGHES, Sec.
A CUTTING FROM _THE TIMES_ OF NOVEMBER 9, 1796, which is of much
interest, as it shows that problems of recruiting were just as
difficult of solution a century and a quarter ago as they are to-day.]
Newspapers containing news of special military interest are worth
obtaining. The issues of _The Times_ which tell of the successes of
Trafalgar and Waterloo are notoriously valuable, but the reprinted
copies must not be mistaken for the original leaflets. There is, of
course, no need to confine one's collection to copies of _The Times_.
In this matter, the news contained by the journal is more to be
considered than the dignity of the journal itself.
=Royal Souvenirs.=--In the time of Waterloo the soldier in the
ranks received few of the little considerations which we now feel are
the hero's just reward. Tommy was paid for his work and there the
matter ended. To-day, however, the position has changed. We, who stay
at home, can hardly think enough of those who are fighting our battles:
such is the spirit shown by every one from the King down to the
humblest citizen living within the realm. With such a feeling abroad
it is not to be wondered at that members of the Royal Family have, in
recent times, made little presents to our fighting men, knowing full
well how much the recipients will treasure them. Under this heading
we may mention the Queen Victoria chocolate tin which the late Queen
gave to soldiers in the Boer War, the chocolate or tobacco tin which
Princess Mary presented, full of good things, to the soldiers during
Christmas, 1914, and lastly the Christmas card which the King and Queen
sent to the fighting men on land and sea at the same festive season.
These and all such souvenirs are, of course, to be highly prized by the
collector.
=Official Military Documents.=--Undoubtedly a good many documents
of a military bearing are to be found if collectors only know where
to search for them. The more important papers, such as plans of
battlefields and commanders' messages, are naturally prized by those
who own them, but there is a wide field for the collector among the
documents of lesser importance. Within this class we should include all
kinds of official correspondence, passports to enter fortified towns,
passes to enable journalists to penetrate beyond certain lines, and
proclamations, printed and otherwise. It will thus be seen that the
scope of the collection is almost without limit.
A good many treasures coming under this head are to be found in the
Whitehall museum, already spoken of. Two are worthy of special notice.
The first is a pass issued to Lieutenant J. Whiteley, 9th Foot, when a
French prisoner of war at Verdun, dated December 30, 1812. It runs as
follows:--
"PLACE DE VERDUN.
_Permission de Sortir de la Place._
Il est permit à Mr. Whitley, Prisonnier de Guerre de sortir de la
Place par les portes, Chaussée de Metz, à condition de rentrer chaque
jour avant leur fermeture.
La présente permission est pour lui seul. Verdun, 30 Décembre, 1812.
Le Commandant du dépôt des Prisonniers
de Guerre Anglais."
(_Signature illegible._)
The above is interesting in so much as it enables us to gather that
those who were unfortunate enough to be taken prisoner by the French
were treated as men of honour and with as few irksome restrictions
as possible. The second treasure is a map of the theatre of war (the
Waterloo Campaign, 1815) saturated with the blood of Lieutenant-General
Sir Thomas Picton, who was killed during the battle. The map was taken
from the pocket of his coattee on the following morning by his servant,
Henry Barnes.
* * * * *
So far we have marshalled our curios under certain more or less
convenient headings, but some of them refuse all attempts at
classification; they are no less attractive on this account, however.
Were we to reserve a space for gruesome relics, the following exhibit,
to be seen in the Royal United Service Museum, would certainly deserve
mention. It is the King of Ashanti's execution bowl, which formed
part of the spoils taken from Prempeh by the expedition under Colonel
Sir Francis Scott in 1896. The bowl, which is of brass, resembles
an ordinary bath-tub in appearance and size, and is about five feet
in diameter. On the rim are four small lions and a number of knobs,
evidently intended as an ornamentation, and would appear to be of
Moorish origin. There is a gap in the continuity of knobs to allow
a space for the victim to insert his neck preparatory to execution.
The bowl was fully described by Bowdich in his account of Ashanti in
1817. Coomassie, where the bowl was taken, means the City of Death;
it possessed three places of execution--one at the palace for private
executions, one on the parade ground for public executions, and a
third, named Bantama, where the bowl was found, for fetish sacrifices.
Any great public occasion was seized upon as an excuse for human
sacrifice, such as the harvest festival, at which large numbers of
victims were offered.
The King also went every quarter to pay homage to the shade of his
ancestors at Bantama, and on each occasion the death of twenty men over
the great bowl was demanded. The blood of the victims was allowed to
putrefy in the bowl, the leaves of certain herbs being added; it was
considered a very valuable fetish medicine. King Prempeh was accustomed
to watching the sacrifices seated in a chair with the Queen-Mother
seated on a stool on his left, being sheltered from the sun by a large
umbrella.[34]
[34] "Museum Catalogue," p. 49.
Before concluding this chapter on miscellaneous curios, it may be well
to give a list of suggested objects, bearing on the Great War, which
might be reasonably included in a collection of war mementoes and
relics:--
Blue-books and similar official correspondence, both British and
foreign. Copies of newspapers containing accounts of the outstanding
incidents of the war. Photographs of the greater events, i.e. the
sinking of the _Blücher_. Recruiting posters. Posters describing
hostile and friendly aircraft. Printed proclamations. Letters from
soldiers at the front. War postage stamps, including the various Red
Cross stamps. The King and Queen's Christmas card to the soldiers.
Princess Mary's chocolate box. Various kinds of ammunition used by the
Allies and the enemy. Aeroplane darts. Permits given to journalists to
enter the various battle zones. Official stamps of the Press Censor.
Cartoons from _Punch_. Paper money issued owing to the hostilities.
Portions of uniforms, i.e. Prussian helmets, buttons and badges of
British and foreign soldiers. Souvenirs made by interned soldiers. Toys
constructed by Belgian refugees, and composite flags made by combining
the devices of the various allies.
[Illustration: AN INTERESTING BROADSIDE PRINTED AT THE FAMOUS CATNACH
PRESS, BEING ONE OF A SERIES DESCRIBING INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A
SOLDIER.]