Greg

Broletariat, this is an old topic. Before your message, the most recent message was 4 years ago. Please don't be put off because no-one replied so far. It may take months for someone to find your message and reply. I keep my original medals in their presentation boxes and have noticed no damage over the last 20 years of collecting except that some of the Australian official presentation cases themselves have deteriorated. I want to display some and have made or bought jewellery display cases and they work well. I have many other medals that do not have presentation cases and I store them in food quality plastic boxes in individual purpose made medal sleeves/envelopes that are readily available at medal shops and on line. I hope this helps until those more knowledgeable and experienced find your message. Greg.

Insignias are "supposed" to be returned on the death of the recipient but if they were, there would be some major gaps in our collections!! Greg.

At one stage, I was told that info about recipients of any level of the Royal Victorian Order was never released from St James Palace. They don't reply to inquiries. And if I remember correctly (something that is happening less and less these days), appointments to the Royal Victorian Order are not published in the Gazette. So no good news I am afraid. I have 3 RVO medals and orders and I would like to research mine too. Greg.

Thank you for clearing this up for me.. Mine is 73mm too so that means it is fine. Greg.

I recently fulfilled a long term desire and bought an original KCVO (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) from a reputable dealer in the UK. When it arrived here in Australia, I was surprised at the size of the Star. It was smaller than I had expected. Does anyone else happen to have one or have access to the correct dimensions? One thought has crossed my mind - that I have received a ladies version (DCVO) which could explain the smaller size Star. Pictures I have seen of the Royals show Camilla (GCVO) wearing a narrower riband than the men. Can anyone assist me? Greg.

Value depends. I have seen a few on eBay and they have sold for $80 up to $350. I have seen them listed for $800 and they don't sell. I have no idea what is a reasonable price. Any help guys?? Greg.

no. 36 is the one I meant. The WWII medals and stars sell for about $40 Australian. Greg.

I'd like to buy the Victorian Order medal - last group picture ...b334.png bottom row, third from the end. How much do you want for it? And maybe a couple of others depending on price. Greg.

What medal was he awarded? Greg.

A quick image search on google brought this up - with a colourised photo showing the good doctor wearing many medals. http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/battle_of_gate_pa_1864/topics/show/934 http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/APICollection/media/173167/640 For some reason, this system won't allow me to upload the photo and when I use the direct url of the picture, I get a message saying that I am not allowed to post a picture with "that extention" whatever that means. Maybe someone else can do it. Greg. (Downunder)

The last medal looks too glossy to be not a replica. I agree with the other guys. I know a few Aussies who served a tour or two, left the ADF and went back to Iraq as private security. I'm not sure they would qualify for medals from the ADF for doing private security work but maybe they could get such recognition if they were doing personal protection for high ranking persons such as Iraqi Government officials but you'd think that recognition would come from the Iraqi Government not from the UK - here they wouldn't be allowed to wear such medals with their official ones. Does the UK Embassy in Iraq or Afghanistan etc employ private security? Greg.

Hi Jock I would love to take you up on your generous offer. Are you willing to mail to to Australia? Thanks, Greg.

Perhaps they were worn by his son or other family member who wore them on the right breast and therefore in reverse order - the most important closest to the heart as is one school of thought for people who have State medals and honours which may not be worn with National Honours on the left breast. Just an idea. Greg.

Shouldn't this man have a long service medal? Greg.

Thanks, Paul. But I only have a photo, a first name and some of his medals. The (practically unreadable) name on the medal box appears to be wrong. The Chaplaincy office at the RAF have supplied me with a list of all RAF Chaplains during the war with a first or second name of Charles but that is as far as I can get. None of them match the other info I have. Some mysteries will just have to stay mysteries, I suppose. Greg.

Thank you, kind sir. I had discovered the Air Efficiency Award but it seemed passing strange that it is called an "Efficiency" award with no mention of Long Service or Good Conduct in it's name. Greg.

Can anyone educate me about what medal an RAF officer is entitled to when it comes to long service starting in 1940? What if he was a Chaplain Squadron Leader in the RAF Reserve? Many thanks, Greg.

My understanding is that an MiD emblem earned and issued during a conflict/war is worn on the ribbon of the medal issued for that conflict. In this case, the instructions are correct about the MiD emblem being worn directly on the cloth of the shirt etc after any existing medals because the medal for WWII had not been issued as yet. Once the guy had received his BWM 1939-1945 after the end of the war, the emblem would be worn on the ribbon of the BWM. And on the ribbon as such:

It's a nice idea but recently the official historians of Gallipoli decided that the whole Simpson and the donkey story is a myth, They reckon it never really happened. I'd prefer to believe he did exist and did what he is famous for doing but it's going to be an uphill battle getting him a VC !

Thank you Tony and Mervyn. I have already emailed the RAF Chaplains' Office but have had no reply as yet. I will try to find the contact details for the Museum. Greg.

I wonder if you can help me. I recently bought the WWII medals of a RAF Chaplain and am stumped to find out who he is. From the photo that came with the parcel, he served in a heavy bomber squadron. On the Official postal box, it appears his name was F. C. –and- (the first and possible last letter of his surname is unreadable) and he lived in London. He signed the photo “Charles” so it would seem he was known as Charles. The last name could be Jand but it is very hard to make out. Some kind soul has tried to obliterate the name and address at some stage. The address label also has the numbers 320/1116 typed onto it. Is this significant? It does not appear to be a service number (to me, at least). His medals are (at least in part) 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, British War Medal. There is also a WWI MiD oak leaf ribbon attachment, a violet satin patch and a RAF button. There are no details written on the back or edge of any of the medals although they do seem to be originals. If you can help me find his correct surname, then I can take it from there. How many RAF Chaplains with a first initial of F., second name Charles (and known as Charles) could there have been serving with heavy bomber squadrons in 1944-45? And possibly served in WWI as well? Of course, the individual items in this collection may not be related at all. I sincerely appreciate any assistance you can offer me. Many thanks, Greg.

Mervyn, I meant just the opposite. On the news here last week, it seemed like the Govt were going crook about the Security company hadn't fulfilled their responsibilities and had let the Govt know too late that they couldn't provide all the needed staff. I'd rather have experienced police and services personnel in place even if they don't know London than amateurs with only 2 weeks training! The police have my total support - only wish I could be there to give them a hand!

And the Police etc who worked security and investigation at the Sydney Olympics received a special medal. Lots of precedence, it seems. I really don't see what the problem is with using Defence personnel to provide security at the Olympics even if security companies staff the gates of our military and Naval bases. Do current serving personnel consider it beneath them? They are highly trained professionals, of course, but this is the sort of thing they are trained to do - in part, at least. But then again I was only a Reservist Officer. Most of my men and women would have loved to work such duties - build up their days for the year, do an interesting and important job as a change from their normal work duties. And I bet the staff, competitors and spectators at the events would feel safer having professional, expert and well equipped (armed) security visibly in place if (God forbid) they were to be needed! Greg. (Downunder)

Hi Owain, The Order of St John will look up their records for you if you write to their London headquarters. I have heard there is a fee but that it is worth it. I don't have the address on hand but a web search will turn it up. It is something Gate, I believe. Someone on here will know for sure. I have the whole set of the St John medals. They are very attractive to me - something about the clean lines and stark colouring of black and white (with some silver and gold thrown in with some of them). I have never got around to researching them - leaving that until I am retired. Good luck. Greg.

Orders, decorations and medals - courtesy of Wikipedia British Order of the Garter Knight Companion (KG), 31 May 1867[12] Order of the Thistle Knight Companion (KT), 24 May 1869[13] Order of St Patrick Knight Companion (KP), 30 March 1869[14] Order of the Bath Companion, Military Division (CB), 17 November 1882[15] Knight Commander, Military Division (KCB), 8 July 1890[16] Knight Grand Cross, Military Division (GCB), 21 May 1898[17] The Duke served as Great Master of the Order from 26 February 1901[18] to his death. Order of the Star of India Extra Knight Grand Commander (GCSI), 1 January 1877[19] Order of St Michael and St George Knight Grand Cross (GCMG), 16 April 1870[20] Order of the Indian Empire Extra Knight Grand Commander (GCIE), 21 June 1887[21] Royal Victorian Order Knight Grand Cross (GCVO), 6 May 1896[22] The Duke of Connaught was awarded the Royal Victorian Chain on 11 August 1902.[23] Order of the British Empire Knight Grand Cross (GBE), 4 June 1917[24] Venerable Order of St John Knight of Justice (KStJ), before 1896[25] Bailiff Grand Cross (GCStJ), 12 June 1926[26] The Duke was Bailiff of Egle from 1894 and Grand Prior of the Order from 1910 to 1939.[27] Campaign medals Canadian General Service Medal with clasp for Fenian Raid 1870[23] Egypt Medal with clasp for Battle of Tel el-Kebir 1882[23] Long service medals Volunteer Officers' Decoration (VD), 27 May 1892[23] Territorial Decoration (TD), 19 June 1934[23] [edit] Foreign Grand Cordon, Order of Glory, 1 June 1865[23] 1st class in brilliants, Order of Osmanieh, 17 July 1867[23] Knight, Order of the Black Eagle, 1872[23] Grand Cross, Order of the Red Eagle, 1873[23] Grand Cross (military division), Order of Leopold, 1873[23] Grand Cross, Order of St Stephen, 1873[23] Knight, Order of the Seraphim, 18 July 1873[23] Knight, Order of the Elephant, 2 August 1873[23] Grand Cross with Collar, Order of Carlos III, 26 April 1876[23] Grand Cross, Order of the Netherlands Lion, 23 August 1878[23] Grand Cross, Order of the Redeemer, 5 May 1879[23] 2nd class, Order of the Medjidie, November 1882[28] Order Pour le Mérite, 17 November 1882[29] Grand Cross, Order of Military Merit[23] Grand Cordon, Order of the Chrysanthemum, 1 July 1890[23] Grand Cross, Order of Danilo, 26 March 1897[23] Grand Cordon, Legion of Honour, 1898[23] Knight, Order of the Annunziata[23] Grand Cross, Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus[23] Knight, Order of the Golden Fleece, 15 December 1902[23][30] Grand Cross, Order of the Sword[23] Knight, Order of Charles XIII, 1905[23] Knight, House Order of Fidelity, 7 September 1906[23] Grand Cross with Collar, Order of St Olav, 13 November 1906[23] Grand Cross, Military Order of Savoy, 20 August 1917[23] Grand Cross, Order of the Star[23] Grand Cross, Order of the Crown[23] Grand Cross, Order of St Charles[23]