Boots on the ground at the Malvern Military Show
The Malvern Military Show is a big deal for British collectors. Military Trader and Vehicles was there!
who use them to display some of their acquisitions as a range of headdress. John Norris
In this modern hi-tech age in which we live it is possible to go online using a computer or other device to search for an item, pay for it and have it delivered to your front door, all without leaving the comfort of your own home. That is all very well and good to save time and avoid crowds, but there are groups of people who actually prefer to do business in the old-fashioned way — conducting the purchasing of goods from a trader face-to-face. There are many examples of this method of buying goods, such as militaria fairs where collectors can talk to traders to discuss things, ask questions and inspect the goods before negotiating a price.
Some of these events have earned a reputation that spans international borders and attracts collectors who are prepared to travel hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of miles to attend. In the United Kingdom one such prestigious event for militaria collectors is the one-day Malvern Military Show, a biannual event held in March and October each year, hosted in the Wye Hall at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire (www.militariashows.com). Husband and wife Graham and Amanda Lycett started the event more than 20 years ago. As traders themselves, they knew how to go about organizing a comprehensive event designed to satisfy the widest possible range of interests. They also run another separate event, known by collectors and traders simply as “Stoneleigh”, held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, Warwickshire, details of which can be found on the same website.
For collectors, from novice, first-time visitors through to the most avid and experienced level, there really is something for everyone at the Malvern Show and the quality of the items is very high. This year’s first Malvern Military Show opened its doors on Sunday, March 23 and visitors were soon streaming in, many having traveled from across the country and several European countries, including France and Belgium.
The traders were laid out in five different areas with interconnecting access all under cover inside a massive hall the size of an aircraft hangar which easily accommodated the almost 200 stands on site. Well-lit and with plenty of space to move around, the show is a pleasant and friendly experience to share with hundreds of others who share the same interests. From bicycles to books, complete uniforms and inert ammunition from small arms to tank shells, the range of collectibles left visitors spoiled for choice. The show provides an opportunity for organizers of other events to promote their own shows, such as the Victory Show (www.thevictoryshow.co.uk) “Wartime in the Vale” (www.ashdowncamp.com) and others.
Soldier of Fortune (www.sofmilitary.co.uk), based In Wales, trades in reproduction historical uniform of the highest quality and was soon surrounded by members of re-enactment groups anxious to get those essential items in readiness before public display season starts. The Shropshire and Border Counties Area branch of the Military Vehicle Trust had a display to attract new members, and also to promote the “Get Together Weekend” being held at Brownwoods, Church Stretton in Shropshire over the weekend of July 18-20. By contrast, as if to balance things out, a display stand to promote the Royal Engineers from Monmouthshire in Wales had been put up.
Britain has very strict firearms laws and only weapons which have been deactivated to legal standards are allowed to be sold. Several leading traders were attracting a lot of interest and doing good business. CS Militaria Ltd, which deals in all militaria from both world wars, had an exceptional range of historic firearms of fine quality. Other traders were also offering firearms along with swords and bayonets, which interested collectors of bladed weapons dating back to the 19th century.
Paperwork and documentation, including photographs, is an area of collecting which is gaining in popularity, especially since genealogical websites have appeared for help with tracing family history. People with no previous interest in military history are now discovering details of relatives who lived through the world wars. New enthusiasts are becoming interested in the “Home Front” and now collect civilian identity cards, ration books, public information leaflets and posters. This extends to photographs and there were traders dealing in photography dating back to the late 19th century.
Medals are always popular items with collectors, and at Malvern there were plenty of traders offering items to suit all price ranges. Everything from single items to well-researched groups with relevant paperwork were available, as well as sets still in their postage boxes indicating they had never been worn. The range of British medals covered the Crimean War, 1853-1856, the Second Boer War, 1899-1902, as well as both world wars.
German awards have always been popular and some traders had superb sets complete with the paperwork and, in some cases, even photographs. European medals were not in great supply, and those that were for sale were fairly standard items with not many surprise finds.
The Malvern Military Show is a stand-out event, encompassing many subjects of interest to collectors, with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where buyers and traders can discuss things and get answers to questions. It was well-attended again this year and the amount of business being transacted is a good indicator of a strong market.
This was the first of the Lycetts’ 2025 events and if the others are of this standard, visitors will not be disappointed they decided to abandon the computer and leave the comfort of their home to do some serious collecting in the old-fashioned way.
It is much more satisfying and rewarding.
now being recognized as collectible items of interest in their own right. John Norris
