dante

welcome your views

2

welcome your views

Here is the "800"

Tony will try need to get a macro lense for my camra, Paul

Here is the "800"

to be given ...

If ever our hobby becomes a question of "what's it worth" and not the honour and sacrifice these men and women gave, then we are not worthy, albeit the frozen wastes of Russia or the heat of the desert or in Lucian's case a cold morning on the 27th of December 1916 all alone not knowing if his work was of value or if anyone cared, this medal group of brass and tin truly is what we try to preserve in our hobby and the honour of little Belgium, France and the free world.

Dante,

Can you post a clear picture of the crown and date on the front as well as the mark under the catch on the reverse?

Thanks!

Tony

Tony will try need to get a macro lense for my camra, Paul

The lighter coloured backing was worrying me a bit, if Jos gives it the thumbs up, then sleep tight tonight....

Bob

Bob and all, many thanks it came with named uniform, bbut you can never be sure, again thanks, Paul

Here's the link to his MIC: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=10

My source has now retired but I am sure if you write to the Belguim Ministry of Defence they should help, the group is for me the finest in my collection of Intelligence related medals

Only one Lucian Francois on roll, MID LG 15 Sept 1919, La Medaille de L'Yser Arrete Royal No 15939 du Juillet 1923

An for me the most emotive

All will be revealed, group found in Australia all loose, French medals with the named BWM, it was assumed that they were not related

Only one Lucian Francois on roll, MID LG 15 Sept 1919, La Medaille de L'Yser Arrete Royal No 15939 du Juillet 1923

Good morning Dante

This group is VERY unusual. Am I right to assume that the BWM is named ? Could it be confirmed by the Roll at Kew? How about the Mention in dispaches?

The combination of awards is strange : Legion of honor + French military medal should normally go with a croix de guerre having at least one palm, and probably other devices as well. The military medal being the highest award for bravery to a non-commissioned fighter (and often only awarded after a series of previous mentions in dispaches), the Legion of honor would have to be awarded after he was promoted to commissioned rank or for further outstanding services after the Military medal (posthumeously ?).

The Victory Medal is the french type and would probably have been worn before the french WW1 Commemorative medal.

The story must certainly be interesting to read. Could we have more?

Thank you for showing this intriguing set of awards. The only explanation for the BWM may well have be, if confirmed, the award of a Mention in dispaches by the British, which would then make it more of a decoration in its own right than a commemorative medal.

Very best regards

Paul

All will be revealed, group found in Australia all loose, French medals with the named BWM, it was assumed that they were not related

Couple of new medals, Czech one awarded to me along with the IRSM, Paul

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WOW - that`s an impressive group.

And by the way - nice ribbon !

greetings

eitze

Couple of new medals, Czech one awarded to me along with the IRSM, Paul

French Agent who served on the yser front before becoming an agent part of group "Victor" captured and shot at dawn 27 december 1916 (all awards confirmed by french archives)

Couple of groups to agents, first Belgian Agent (all awards confirmed by Belgian Secret Service Records)

Hello Hendrik and Roel

It is not a surprise that few Belgian military personnel, if any, should be found among the BWM awards. At the end World War 1. Allies decided that they would not exchange commemorative war medals, and the Victory medal was created on a similar design for all, in order to mark the common success.

Only Belgian and French civilians, who were not entitled to the War commemorative medal of their own countries, could receive a British Commemorative medal. Those were the ones who got it.... and it was all the more valued that they were not recognised as members of the armed forces of their own countries. It was a nice gesture of fairness from the British to recognise them as having usefully (and dangereously) done their bit and a great compliment (very decent chap, y'know, could be British !). I personnally highly value and have great respect for these BWM to civilians, who acted as allies. What they did was very brave indeed.

Incidentally, there seems to have been quite an exchange of messages on this topic in 2005, to be found in the British medals section of this forum. With lots of useful information, starting with a BWM found in Marrakesh which turned out to have been awarded to a Belgian lady.

Very best regards

Veteran

Couple of groups to agents, first Belgian Agent (all awards confirmed by Belgian Secret Service Records)

Not a "must have" in my eyes.

Red, Got it as a tailors copy , very well made and cost in trade ?200, as an example its stunning, it would cost that to make it now days

Nice... but no ones dares to comment on the SS bar... please show the back.

Chris

Paid ?30 for it about 10 years ago, so not that fussed, but its fun, I have always thought it should have 25 year

Yup, no dedicated pilots' wrist watches at this early stage. Wristwatches with sweep seconds and features useful to other technical troops like artillerymen, certainly used by pilots. Would have to be a presentation piece and engraved to a pilot to claim "pilot's watch".

Luft, Appriciate your comments, Paul

Yes, the top is a clssic 1990s Ohio Parts Fraud, completely made out of hand snipped BRASS, with a combination that makes no sense.

LOVELY Polizei bar in classic South German style and with the ribbed-material backing often found on that type bar.

Rick appreciate your comments, Paul

I can't actually remember seeing gauges on board ship with a crows foot. Usually the NSN was hand written. The fitting looks correct to be British, I don't think it's going to be the boat's main gauge as that would most probably have been considerably larger. Maybe an engine room repeater.

Jim, Thanks, see you are down the road from me I am in Devon, Paul

Difficult at best.

I don't any Luftwaffe Officer Lists have surfaced as of this post (if they ever existed at all).

If he were a General maybe, but a Captain.

David, many thanks, Paul

THE BAD NEWS

My gut says no on the top bar.

It could very well be genuine but I have a concern with the combination of Olympic, Luftschutz, March 1938, and October 1938 medals.

The last two would be acceptable, or the Olympic or Luftschutz individually. I have a problem with all four on there.

Also it looks like swords were taken off the KVK2.

THE GOOD NEWS

The bottom bar looks good to me. No problems. A WW1 vet with police service.

David I agree, to many for my liking, but good example

Another one for your pleasure, thanks, Paul

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Another one for your pleasure, thanks, Paul