diwe

Dave, thanks for the input. I was only mentioning the QPM and 1980 as this might indicate that the tunic was worn after that date as the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. The combination of ribbons is very unusual and only fits Woods.

Jef, thanks so much. THe ABL forum was some help but I got in contact with a Belgian collector of Belgian general uniforms. He dates the tunic as immediately after WW II to 1950 based on the decorations. More info will follow but thanks for your help.

Dear fellow collectors: I need some help with an ID. I have a tunic in my possession that according to its ribbons (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order of the British Empire, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Queens Police Medal, 1939-1945 Star, Burma Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, 1977 Jubilee Medal, Police Long Service and Good Conduct 1951-) must have belonged to Sir Colin Woods (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Woods). A fellow collector pointed out that the red backing of the crowns on the shoulder board is inconsistent with the regalia worn by chief officers of the Met (they have a blue backing). As the Queen Police Medal was awarded in 1980 and is on the tunic only leaves the option that this tunic was worn in Woods' function as the first Commissioner as the Australian Federal Police (1979-82) or possible as HM Chief Inspector of the Constabulatory for England and Wales. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

Phil, at the time the qualification Badges were introduced the beret was the standard headgear. Although current dress regulation allow the visor cap for officers and NCO, the LHD (uniform store for German Armed Forces and Federal Police) do not offer a visor cap for Army NCOs (they exist though for Navy and Air Forces NCOs). However, in order to comply with regulations, the NCO cap would not have the piping which comes from the early years.

Jef, thanks so much. I actually posted my question in there yesterday as well. Let's see whether I receive a response. As I am a native German I can read some Dutch but posting it might be a bit of a challenge. Thanks so much. Best Dirk

I was looking for some help on the design of Belgian officers' tunic between 1935 and 1950. One of the most noticeable changes was the form of the flaps for the lower pockets. According to the 1935 dress regulations the flaps of the lower pocket were trapezoid in size. At some point at the end of the war the design changed to a three point format which are interestingly shown - to my knowledge - in the dress regulations of 1950 although the text still refers to the model 1935. Does anybody know when this change took place and what influenced it? Please see http://www.everyoneweb.com/uniformen/ - see Landmacht Generaal-Major 1935 vs. General-Major 1950 for the change of design in the flaps of the lower pockets. Below please see the description in the dress regulations of 1935.

Yes, and it is interesting that he received the Medal of Freedom as a military officer. I guess I will have to start cross-referencing with Peter Verstraeten's book.

Hendrik, thanks so much! Best Dirk

Chris, unfortunately not. This will be the next challenge to identify the general based on the decorations. Best Dirk

Dear fellow collectors, I purchased a uniform of a WW II Belgian major general and am trying to do a quick ribbon ID while the lot is en route. Most of the ribbons do not pose a challenge with the exception of two: second row: first decoration on the left (magnified): blue ribbon with sword (?) third row: last decoration on the right: red ribbon with four vertical stripes Any help is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Paul, all the stars are hand-embroidered, even on the most recent models. If you look on ebay you will find boards with "inexpensive emroideries." On the authentic boards, are roughly 1/2 inch high.

Thanks so much

Mevin, until 2001 it was below the Queen's or King's crown three stars and a crossed sword and baton for Admiral, two stars and a crossed sword and baton for a Vice Admiral, one star and a crossed baton for a Rear Admiral, and two stars and an achor for a Commodore 1st class (in 1957 the distinction between Commodore 1st and 2nd Class was ablolished and the one 44mm became the standard rank insignia) - see below Best Dirk

Thanks so much. Here is a selection of sinle boards I reguire recently: Admiral (KC 1901-1953) Vice Admiral (QC post-1953 - version prior to 2001) Read Admiral (QVC 1838-1901) Commodore (KC 1901-1953)

Dear fellow collectors: I was able to acquire with a lot of flag officer shoulder boards, a board for a Commodore (KC) in the version it was used between 1901-1953. I looked at various reference books and found the description "Commodore 1st and 2nd Class" for these boards (cf. E.C. Coleman's book Rank and Rate (2009) and Latham B. Jensons's Tin Hats, Oilskins and Seaboots (1945)). However, the 1920 British "Harmsworth's Universal Encyclopedia" there was t lists and displays the as he 44mm curl not only as sleeve insignia but also a shoulder board for the Commodore 2nd Class. Thanks for the assistance in advance and Happy Holidays! Best Dirk