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 Posted by plbramham » Sun May 12, 2013 1:19 pm
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 General Global moderator Posts: 1369 |
I spotted this from January 2011:
 IanT wrote:I have a bound copy of The Border Magazine: Journal of the Border Regiment, consisting of Volume 1 Number 1 September 1947, to Volume 1 Number 6 March 1950. Ian Thirlwell kerchi wrote:I have been looking for this most of the night through google searches and I have had zero luck in finding a single one available anywhere. Do you know how many volumes there were / how long it ran for? Chris I can shed some light on this as I have just been loaned a full set, somewhat tatty, but complete. “The Border Magazine” was published twice yearly in March and September, running for 25 editions in four volumes from September 1947 to September 1959, (when it was succeeded by “The Lion and the Dragon” the magazine of The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment’s first edition in March 1960).
The foreword of the first edition of The Border Magazine read: “Some years ago, proposals were made to improve the News Sheet*, the war intervening prevented any steps being taken, and the matter had to be put on one side. It was not however lost sight of, and as soon as became practicable after the close of hostilities a subcommittee consisting of:- Major C.M.R.Spedding OBE Commanding the Depot; Lieutenant-Colonel J.L.Burgess who had previously edited the News Sheet; Lieutenant-Colonel S.Kidd TD Commanding the 4th Battalion; Lieutenant-Colonel M.Smyth the administrative officer at the depot; Major T.Mann, General Secretary of the Regimental Association, was appointed to examine the whole subject with a view to producing a magazine worthy of the regiment.” (*Has anyone ever seen one of these pre-war News Sheets? I haven’t – I bet they simply have not survived if they were just duplicated handouts.) To be honest, the bulk of the magazine content is somewhat mundane: Association branch reports, reports and locations of battalions, promotions, awards, births, marriages and deaths. (Although some obituaries are interesting, remember soldiers from the Boer War and WW1 were around 70 to 80 years old at this time.) There are however some very good historical articles on subjects ranging from Arroyo, the American Wars, through the Crimea, Boer War, inter-war China and India, then WW2 such as Sicily and Arnhem (Of course some are written by WW2 veterans who were still serving in the regiment at this time, plus there were eye witness accounts from still living soldiers who has fought in the Boer War and later 1900-1930s wars and campaigns.) There are also features on insignia, buttons, memorials etc. There are few photographs, those included are mainly provided by local newspapers. Most of the illustrations are hand drawn line art (e.g. sketch maps, designs of badges and buttons). I have seen individual magazines coming up for sale and prices seem to be about £7 - £25 each depending the condition and content. I have two editions myself (the first one and the 1955 200th anniversary issue) which are in pretty good condition but I would have settled for tattier copies because it was the content I was interested in rather than the appearance. Last week a bound set of the first four issues which appeared to be in immaculate condition sold on e-bay for £40. It sounds dear, but when you think that’s £10 each for sixty odd year old documents, and how many people will spend £5 per month on a gardening or car magazine which will be in the recycling bin or on doctor’s waiting room table a couple of weeks later. I reckon if you were to buy one for say £10 it’ll still be worth that much next month, next year and probably even increase in value! If The Border Magazines are out of your price range, consider early KORBR “Lion and the Dragon” magazines ( you can find then for a couple of quid) – there’s some interesting Northern Ireland stuff in them e.g. Operation Motorman in the 1970s. I’m attaching below an image of the cover of one of the better condition Border Magazines I have on loan so you know what to look for in second hand book shops. (The cover design and picture were always the same – except for the three special editions) Regards Paul |
| Posted by hussar1000 » Mon May 13, 2013 6:34 pm
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 Staff Sergeant Registered user Posts: 131 |
| Someone on the British Medal Forum was looking to sell complete set from '47 up to when KORBR ceased to be. No price mentioned but would expect it to be pretty high. I didn't enquire as I simply don't have storage space for so many volumes. |
| Posted by kerchi » Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:26 am
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 Field-Marshal Administrator Posts: 2160 In memory of John Bardgett (15309 L/Cpl.) 11th Border Regiment Who died 1st July 1916. |
| hussar1000 wrote: Someone on the British Medal Forum was looking to sell complete set from '47 up to when KORBR ceased to be. No price mentioned but would expect it to be pretty high. I didn't enquire as I simply don't have storage space for so many volumes. Do you know what happened to the set? If I had the ready cash I would have snapped it up myself |
| Posted by plbramham » Sun Nov 17, 2013 3:26 pm
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General Global moderator Posts: 1369 |
| Hi Chris, There is a specialist local interest second hand book shop in Kendal http://www.kirklandbooks.co.uk/?gclid=CL_Kg7OQ7LoCFQsEwwodfnAA4w [link no longer active] - maybe you could ask them to put out a "watch" for you - though I guess expressing a specific interest may inflate the price! Paul |
| Posted by kerchi » Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:31 pm
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Field-Marshal Administrator Posts: 2160 In memory of John Bardgett (15309 L/Cpl.) 11th Border Regiment Who died 1st July 1916. |
| Thanks Paul. I'll keep an eye on the website (have added it to my favourites).
I think when we (eventually) move and I have a dedicated computer/books/memorabilia room I will definitely make a conscious effort to begin 'collecting' properly. |