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Completed GSM London District Black Alex

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by Wings5797, Aug 23, 2015.

  1. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi to one and all,
    I have been playing around with a simple Verlinden conversion from the Colour Sgt with the boy fifer to WO1 (GSM) Alexander Dumon MVO MBE, Coldstream Guards (Black Alex)
    RSM Alec Dumon was appointed GSM London District in 1977 having completed the usual six months experience with Tom Taylor. He was known to all as 'Black Alec' when well out of earshot!
    Alec Dumon was born in Leeds and joined the Coldstream Guards in March 1951. He was promoted to sergeant in 1958. In 1959 he participated in the Birthday Parade as a Sergeant of the Escort after which he was appointed as an Instructor at The Guards Depot. With a break of two years in recruiting, he returned to the Guards Depot as a CSM and later Drill Sergeant. He was promoted to RSM of the Guards Depot in 1972.
    In 1975 Alec Dumon completed his period at the Guards Depot and was installed as GSM in Hong Kong where he remained for two years. In 1977 he took up the prestigious appointment of GSM of London District.
    His term of office introduced the SA80 rifle into use and he was involved in development of the ceremonial rifle drill for this new equipment.
    He was appointed MBE in the New Year Honours of 1984.
    In 1987 Alec Dumon was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) by the Queen prior to his final Birthday Parade during which RSM A G Mason, Coldstream Guards was undergoing his six months preparation in readiness for taking over the appointment.
    On retirement from the Army, he was appointed to The Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard becoming Messenger Sergeant Major with an apartment at St. James's Palace, an appointment which he held until 2002.
    Alexander Dumon died on 9th January 2011 aged 78
    .
    The only changes from the original casting are;
    Work on head gear and face to peak cap with rank braid
    Addition of scratch built trademark pace stick
    Removal of all rank badges
    Convert shoes to ammo boots with thick soles and heals
    Up date infantry sword to GSM specification with straight blade and scabard.
    As mentioned above, He was involved with the introduction of the SA80 rifle, I plan to add a Coldstream Guardsman under instruction. Verlinden's 0708 Guardsman would have filled the bill perfectly but as I am not able to find one scratch build is the only way.
    Currently he is assembled with blue tac but I hope that you like the first figure and I look forward to any comments.
    Cheers
    Keith

    P1030880.JPG P1030881.JPG P1030882.JPG P1030883.JPG P1030885.JPG
  2. mick3272 A Fixture

    Hi Keith, My Farther was in the Coldstreams and I had met the man on several occasions I'm sure he would appreciate your work. Just a thought you may need to add a few more medals.
    Mick
    anstontyke, peedee and Wings5797 like this.
  3. MCPWilk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    GSM Mott, OBE, Welsh Guards, has just retired and his replacement is a Coldstreamer/

    Mike
    anstontyke, peedee and Wings5797 like this.
  4. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Mike,
    He was a great man and not the normal shouting and screaming WO1.
    Regarding the medals you are most likely right. I have tried to get a fix on his awards at the time of the introduction of the SA80 rifle. I know that a number of his awards were given after this time but I would welcome any help in pinning this down.
    Thanks for taking the time to comment Mike.
    All the very best mate,
    Keith

    PS if you have any CG photos of this period I would love to see them, if possible
    anstontyke likes this.
  5. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Mike,
    Yes, Billy Mott retired after the Queens Birthday Parade. I sculpted a bust of him a while back with a medal count of 9.
    Billy's replacement is WO1 (GSM) Andrew 'Vern) Stokes Coldstream Guards.
    All the best
    Keith
    anstontyke and peedee like this.
  6. mick3272 A Fixture

    Hi keith.
    If you put GSM Alex Dumon in a google search there is a You tube clip about his last troop in 1987. He is wearing five medal ribbons and there is another couple of photo's of him one with just three up and another in bearskin with five up. I would say looking at them they are MVO, MBE, General Service with Bar, Silver Jubilee,
    and Long Service Never been caught. Im sure a phone call or email to RHQ will confirm. I have tried to download the video but its not having it.

    Alas No Photos my dad retired after 40 yrs in 1978, he wasn't one for keeping photos.

    Hope this helps.
    Mick





    anstontyke, peedee and Wings5797 like this.
  7. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Thank you Mick,
    Good of you to do a bit of research for me. I have seen some of the stuff on the army websites and youtube but almost without exception the are of the bands drilling the spin wheel. I will check again to see if there is a shot with Alex (plus awards) and an SA80.
    40 years service for Dad is real soldiering. I take my hat off to Him. Was it all with the Coldstreamers?
    Thanks again Mate and sorry for calling you Mike in my last post.
    Cheers
    Keith
    anstontyke and peedee like this.
  8. mick3272 A Fixture

  9. mick3272 A Fixture

    Hi Keith.

    Here is a photo with his five gongs.. Not seen anything with an SA80. Yes Dad 40yrs with 2nd Coldstream Guards 1938 to 1978
    Slight hic cup above
    Mick



    [IMG]
  10. MCPWilk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    anstontyke, peedee and Wings5797 like this.
  11. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Mick.
    Thanks for this picture. I have also seen His photo following His promotion to GSM London District. This shows only shows 3 gongs.
    That said I think I will go with Your picture. It will be a good challenge to sculpt the MBE again, but smaller.

    Here are some photos in better focus.
    All the best,
    Keith

    IMG_8728.JPG IMG_8729.JPG IMG_8731.JPG IMG_8732.JPG IMG_8733.JPG IMG_8734.JPG IMG_8735.JPG IMG_8730.JPG
    Oda, anstontyke, peedee and 4 others like this.
  12. MCPWilk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Looking good so far - remember the cap peak is vertical in the Guards regiments. I had to remodel mine a couple of times before I got it up to acceptable Planet Figure standards!

    Mike
    anstontyke, peedee and billyturnip like this.
  13. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    anstontyke and peedee like this.
  14. mick3272 A Fixture

    Keith,
    The photo with the three gongs are the Genral Service with Bar, Jubilee & LSGC.
    I have these figs as a part of my gray army. I am going to use the fifer in my Army of the east But if you need the C/Sgt in case of cock ups give me a shout.
    When you say a G/man under instruction with an SA 80, are you meaning giving kind words of guidance as only an RSM/GSM can give or are you talking about training type instruction as this would not be done in tunic order.
    Mick
    anstontyke, peedee and Wings5797 like this.
  15. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Thanks again Mick, very kind of you.
    I am playing my trump card......Artistic licence. I just need to find a title to suit the piece. Maybe along the lines of setting out route lining etc.Using kind words as you say.
    Cheers,
    Keith
    anstontyke and peedee like this.
  16. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France


    IMG_8762.JPG
    A couple of changes following your good advice Gents.
    Keith
  17. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Keith,

    Like the way this is going mate , he is certainly a powerful image ..wouldn't argue on the parade square eh!

    Glad you added more medals

    Any chance of a close up of the way the sword is hung and the way the straps go .....I am " trying" to finish off Mr Mott from MMM ...been too long half done

    Looking forward to seeing more on this

    Nap
    anstontyke likes this.
  18. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Kevin.
    He was not as frightening as he looks but he was a stickler for precision. Moving 360 bandsmen back to the start position of the infamous "spin wheel" nine or ten times was the norm.
    I am pleased that you like the way this is heading, I know it was the gongs that swung it. Though I am not quite happy with them and may rework them.
    As for the sword and belt, here is a close up but the drag strap is not assembled yet. the drag sling will fix on the belt dead centre. the other end joins the lower part of scabard where the retaining stud is showing/ I can put mine on and photograph if you wish?

    I hope that all is well with you and yours Mate,
    Keith
    IMG_8734.JPG
  19. prhayes68 Active Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Keith,

    One for me definitely! The final gong count for Black Alex was MVO, MBE, General Service Medal, Silver Jubilee, MSM and LS&GC. His last troop was 1987 (2nd Bn Scots Guards) and this was the last year they used the SLR on the parade. 1988 was the first with the SA80 and this was Perry Mason's first troop as GSM. The sculpt looks great by the way.

    Pete
    anstontyke and Wings5797 like this.
  20. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Keith ,

    Thanks for the picture ..if you fancy getting all kitted up then great ..I like a man in uniform!!!??...Thanks for any help and looking forward to seeing more on this work

    Nap
    anstontyke, peedee and Wings5797 like this.

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