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  South African Defence Force Awards

  By Marcon1 · Posted 2 hours ago

  Hiya, Here is some additional info/pictures to Archie’s post.    (MYB:SA-9/MATT: 38) Honoris Crux Decoration Diamond (HCD) (1975-93) To be awarded for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour. Never awarded. Insignia: A green-enamelled gold Maltese cross, with crossed swords and protea flowers between the arms, and displaying an orange/ white/ blue roundel surrounded by eight diamonds (obverse). Hallmarked 9ct under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen. (Personal note: green enamel looks curved)   Hallmarked 9ct under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen. (Personal note: green enamel looks flat)   (MYB: SA-9/MATT: 39) Honoris Crux Decoration Gold (HCG) (1975-93) Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger. Six awards (5 crosses and one bar) were made, five of them for operational gallantry. The double recipient - who was the most highly decorated serviceman of the Border War - was helicopter pilot Maj Arthur Walker, who won the HCD (1982) for deliberately drawing enemy fire onto himself during a night operation over Angola, and the bar (1982) for landing in enemy territory to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter. Insignia: Same design as the HCD, but without the diamonds.   Uniface suspender, diff. suspender than listed in Matthysen (Unlisted), ??? hallmark below Coat of Arms. (Probably SILVER).    (MYB: SA-15/MATT: 42) Southern Cross Decoration (SD) (1975-2003) Awarded to officers - usually of senior rank - for outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty. Insignia: A gold double Maltese cross, enameled white, displaying the stars of the Southern Cross on a dark blue roundel (obverse). No markings anywhere ! Not listed by Matthyssen - Strange tail to cross.( fake ??).   [1967] [1968] (MYB: SA-17/MATT: 26) Pro Merito Medal (PMM) - 1st Type (1967-75) Awarded annually, to "other ranks", for outstanding devotion to duty. Insignia: A circular silver medal, displaying a red disa flower inside a wreath of protea flowers (obverse). The original ribbon was replaced by a new design in 1968. Numbered on rim: 516, SILVER under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen.    (MYB: SA-10/MATT: 55) Pro Virtute Decoration (PVD) (1987-2003) Awarded to officers, for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field. Insignia: A gold 5-armed Maltese cross, enamelled white, displaying the national arms on an orange roundel (obverse). Silver Gilt, Mathysen Type 2 (SILVER at bottom).    (MYB: SA-11/MATT: 56) Pro Virtute Medal (PVM) (1987-2003) Awarded to "other ranks", for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field. (Note: Matthysen says never awarded). Insignia: A circular silver medal, displaying a 5-armed Maltese cross (obverse).  (Silver bar for subsequent award of Pro Virtute Medal)   rejected design.                                                   Accepted design. The first proof version, which was rejected, demonstrated that a two-dimensional paper drawing does not always translate to a three-dimensional metal object successfully. The second version, which was accepted, had the arms of the cross and the central roundel embowed. - There were only 100 of these medals made. Only Five were ever presented while another nine are either in museums or in archives.   Regards, Marcon1.
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  What connection exists between Miss M. Dunkley and General De Gaule?

  By Farkas · Posted 4 hours ago

  Hi No one, I’ve just seen on the Red Cross website that badge number 17587 was issued in July 1934.   Your second voucher says that she was ‘re-examined’ and passed. I think your lady originally earned her badge in 1933/34 and then renewed it in 1940 to contribute to the war effort.   I think you will find the contact details here, they seem to have comprehensive records/archives but I couldn’t suss out how/if you can search them 🤷‍♂️ even if they are not accessible online I imagine they are via request.   https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/our-history/museum-and-archives   👍👍 tony 🍻    
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  Zaire - Order of Leopard

  By 922F · Posted 4 hours ago

  The marks are difficult for me to 'read'.  One may be a lion statant and the other character "EL"?  Do not recall meaning for either.  Believe that Antti Ruokonen's Belgium book {Spirit of the Lion} illustrates/identifies hallmarks -- I can't find my copy now to check.  The GMIC thread belgian Order of Leopold l may offer hallmark identification examples.     Does the box have any indicia?   https://www.silvercollection.it/DICTIONARYEUHALLMARKBELGIUM.HTML#google_vignette  http://www.numisbel.be/KBGN 175_De Lombaert.pdf provide a general overview.  Neither appear to have a comparable match. 
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  What connection exists between Miss M. Dunkley and General De Gaule?

  By Farkas · Posted 4 hours ago

  I agree, the ‘quirky’ details can give an item extra qualities.   I previously owned a medal set belonging to an Indian soldier who had served in the British army in ww2.   His service number was : 15847 India gained its independence on : 15.8.47   cheers tony 🍻    
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  Scottish Badge Collection

  By Farkas · Posted 5 hours ago

  Again Terry, I do admire your attention to detail, I wouldn’t have thought of adding those. & 🍻🍻 Speaking as a man who finishes far less projects than I start, congratulations Sir. cheers tony