Ivor Lee Posted 24 October , 2003 Share Posted 24 October , 2003 The National Archives (Public Record Office) have a special offer on this two set collection. These large books have been printed privately by Howard Williamson after some 14 years research. Both are very well illustrated and with high quality printing. The photographs of documents are very well done. Book 1 "Medals" in 815 pages covers Collecting medals, the Campaign Medals, Researching men inthe RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army, Gallantry Awards, awards to Women, Researching Canadians, South Africans, New Zealanders and the Indian Army Book 2 "Small Arms, Muniutions, Militaria"is 394 pages long. The books can be purchased individually. Book 1 is £39 and Book 2 is £29 or on offer until the end of the year both for £50. I think there are a limited number of these books available. The only other dealer I have seen with them for sale is Spinks. OK that's the information on the books. How good are they? This is a first impression as I only bought mine yesterday and have had not had time to read them carefully. (Anyway someone is threatening to take them away from me until Xmas!!) As a reference tool I think they will be very useful. Having almost everything together in one book is going to save a lot of time. But there are errors in the book. As an example Williamson says the "Mendi" hit a mine whereas it sank after a collision with another ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 24 October , 2003 Share Posted 24 October , 2003 Ivor, I have tried to look for these on the PRO website with no luck - did you get yours from the main office? PRO books are sold on the website with a 10% discount and free p+p! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christine liava'a Posted 24 October , 2003 Share Posted 24 October , 2003 Book 1 "Medals" in 815 pages covers Collecting medals, the Campaign Medals, Researching men inthe RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army, Gallantry Awards, awards to Women, Researching Canadians, South Africans, New Zealanders and the Indian Army Ivor , does this book tell you how to research soldiers, medals, or both? For NZ, there is a recent book "Honours and awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918" by Wayne McDonald. 2001. to which I have access if anyone wants anything looked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Lee Posted 24 October , 2003 Author Share Posted 24 October , 2003 Giles The books are not on their web site. I believe Spinks will post it at a cost of £5 a book. Sorry do not know whether the PRO will send the books if you telephone them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Lee Posted 24 October , 2003 Author Share Posted 24 October , 2003 Christine The book covers researching both the medals awarded and the men. For medals there are numerous pictures showing the various medals, naming styles and the abbreviations one will find. The Chapter takes up about 150pages of the book. The Chapter on researching Britishsoldiers is about 160 pages long. When I saw your question I looked at the index for Fiji - no sign there. Nor does he show Fiji Labour Corps under "Miscellaneous Overseas Units and Corps" - I wonder if it an ommission or somewhere else in the book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 24 October , 2003 Share Posted 24 October , 2003 Ivor, Yes - Couldn't resist buying the books on Tuesday - a 'pair' for £50, a nice early Xmas present. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 25 October , 2003 Share Posted 25 October , 2003 Thanks Ivor, can you give a short description of what is in the militaria volume - subjects covered - good pictures etc? Mant thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Lee Posted 25 October , 2003 Author Share Posted 25 October , 2003 Giles The Militaria Volumeis 394 pages long. Chapters are: Collecting Munitions Pages 1 - 94 Collecting Rifles Pages 95 - 160 Collecting Pistols Pages 161 - 184 The Principal Bayonets Pages 185 - 232 Pickelhauben Pages 233 - 248 Steel Helmets Pages 249 -266 Trench and Fighting Knives Pages 267 - 278 Identity Discs, Tags & Bracelets Pages 279 - 292 Collecting British Uniforms Pages 293 - 310 Crested China Pages 311 - 318 Miscellaneous Memorabilia Pages 319 - 394 As with Volume 1 the pictures and drawings are all of high quality and there is a mass of information on markings etc. I have a very limited knowledge of the arms side but it certainly looks comprehensive to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 25 October , 2003 Share Posted 25 October , 2003 I think it is fair to say this will become the 'bible' for collectors for the forseeable future. In addition the way the author has left it, there is alays room for more volumes. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 26 October , 2003 Share Posted 26 October , 2003 Ivor, many thanks for taking the time to do that. Sounds like a very worthy buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 27 October , 2003 Share Posted 27 October , 2003 For anyone interested, I just rang to order from the PRO bookshop - the books can be sent mail-order at the prices Ivor mentioned - p+p was £3 for one volume or £5 the pair. Bookshop Public Record Office Kew, Richmond Surrey UK. TW9 4DU Telephone: 020 8392 5324 Fax: 020 8392 5266 bookshop-order@nationalarchives.gov.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 27 October , 2003 Share Posted 27 October , 2003 These books are also available from: Howard Williamson 5 Hankin Avenue Harwich Essex CO12 5HE Volume 1 @ £39 (+£5 p&p) Volume 2 @ £29 (+£5 p&p) Set of two @ £50 (+ £10 p&p) Cheques payable to Mrs Anne Williamson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 28 October , 2003 Share Posted 28 October , 2003 There's also a "pair" on Speedbid at the moment in the books and printed materials section. I haven't looked to see what the biddings up to, but it's got a "buy it now" price of £50. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 4 November , 2003 Share Posted 4 November , 2003 I have just read through the first volume or errrr the second volme dealing with militaria, and apart from one or two oversights, which were probably due to the author not be able to secure real life examples, I have to say I am really impressed. For one thing I now know the origin of a bayonet Ihave had in my possession for 20 odd years!! These books are really worth the money. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pete Wood Posted 4 November , 2003 Share Posted 4 November , 2003 I have just read through the first volume You are a very naughty boy. You know that's your Xmas pressie. I hope you've put the wrapping paper back on, straight, or Mrs B will know that you've been looking on top of the wardrobe again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 4 November , 2003 Share Posted 4 November , 2003 Pete, Mrs B is away for a few days ( ), so I thought I would sneak a quick look - couldn't put the thing down! I will have to look surprised on Xmas day! Cheers - Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Lee Posted 4 November , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 November , 2003 Ian That'll make two of us with suprised looks on our face on Christmas Day! Cheers Ivor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock Bruce Posted 8 November , 2003 Share Posted 8 November , 2003 Bought Vol 1 at the PRO today - how I wish this had been available 3 years ago. Definitely worth the money for anybody using medal records to research a unit, war memorial, whatever. Jock Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 8 November , 2003 Share Posted 8 November , 2003 Had a look at this at the PRO the other day, and was impressed with the amount of info in there. I shall be buying a copy, I am sure, but didn't fancy lugging the two great volumes across London on the tube! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 18 November , 2003 Share Posted 18 November , 2003 Keep it under your hats but I got the pair for Jean, my wonderful carer, as an Xmas prezzie...trouble is, I can't put them down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyOfficer Posted 8 April , 2004 Share Posted 8 April , 2004 I just bought the pair in Ypres at the Shell Hole....strongly recommend anyone interested go to John for purchase. Had I bought these four months ago I'd have saved myself money and now that I have them they're a worth investment for the future. Volume I is "Medals" but there's much more in it than that: badges, paper, divisional signs (e.g. all the Player's Cigarrette Card series is included) and answers any conceivable question. On the medals themselves; it gives great information on how to spot a fake...provides photos of genuine and fake side - by - side in order to allow comparison. Volume II is equally good and previous posts have outlined the contents. My only complaint is that there are no color photos but that's a small complaint. If you're going to research WWI soldiers, or collect WWI items you have to buy these books... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientpoints Posted 9 April , 2004 Share Posted 9 April , 2004 Can anyone pass on the ISBN's of these books? Cheers Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyOfficer Posted 10 April , 2004 Share Posted 10 April , 2004 Volume I: ISBN-0-9527544-1-X Volume II: ISBN-0-9527544-2-8 Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientpoints Posted 10 April , 2004 Share Posted 10 April , 2004 Thanks Kevin Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted 13 April , 2004 Share Posted 13 April , 2004 These are both excellent books and a must for any collector. Howard Williamson was selling them himself,I bought mine from him at the November Britannia fair,where he numbered and signed them. He told me he only had 1500 printed,mine were numbered 944 so I don't supose there can be that many left out there. Its probably only a matter of time until we see them on Ebay for more than the 50 quid mine cost me!! Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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