Megan

As I understand it, Carter was offered promotion but refused it - at least in part so as to be able to retain the long service stripes, which could not be worn above the rank of lance corporal.

Impressive, but not the most awarded - a LCpl. Edward Pearce (1846-1925) achieved 12! This picture shows a Private Arthur Carter of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, who enlisted in 1901 and served until 1951. He earned 10 stripes. The picture was taken in 1948 on the occasion of him being awarded a second bar to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The other people in the photo are the Earl of Powis (Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire), Major General Grover (who was Colonel of the Regiment), and Lieutenant Colonel Shaw-Ball (Commanding Officer, KSLI).

Does life revolve around food? Just put lunch on. So, the Military Order of the Black Panther (Ordre militaire de la Panthère noire) was instituted in 2010. It has the standard five classes and is said to take the second place in Gabon's order of precedence... I think this means, after the Order of the Equatorial Star. Here is the Grand Cross badge: And the Knight (with ribbon):

And now I have found another Gabonese order, the Military Order of the Black Panther... but I'll write about that tomorrow because it is time to cook my dearly beloved's dinner!

I've spent a happy afternoon reviewing the new order, and this is what I have managed to piece together... It is called the National Order of Liberation (l'Ordre national de la Libération) and was instituted on 31 July 2024 by Decree No. 294 / PT-PR / GCONA dated July 31, 2024, with the aim to reward individuals or military and civilian communities who distinguished themselves in the action of the coup to liberate Gabon on 30 August 2023 and in the conduct of the transition in three classes (Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight). Holders of all classes are termed Companions of the Liberation. The collar is the insignia of the Grand Master of the Order. The collar is gold. The suspension link bears the arms of the Gabonese Republic in coloured enamels. This is flanked by links composed of the initials RG in ornate gold letters which alternate with links carrying the arms of the nine regions of the country. The badge of the order is a nine-pointed gold star. A central gold disk depicts a soldier wielding a torch and a citizen wrapped in the flag of Gabon in coloured enamels surrounded by a broken chain, with a green wreath behind the arms of the star. The Grand Cross star is gold, consisting of the badge of the order mounted on a gold rayed disk, and it is worn on the left side. It seems that the Gabonse wear stars very low down, just above the belt. The sash is green with a yellow central stripe and blue edges, worn over the right shoulder. Oddly, even when collars are not being worn, it appears that the Gabonese don't wear badges on the sash... but this is not certain. Thank you, OCS Redleg, for bringing this to my attention.

My copy arrived yesterday. Busy day, didn't have time to do more than flick through, but it looks glorious and all that archical material! Fortunately I have some leave coming up... review will be forthcoming and will be posted here in due course.

Handsome beastie, thank you for sharing.

Oooh, lovely. I don't even have an image of that!

And (finally) today's the day that the first Elizabeth Emblems will be presented to next of kin by King Charles at Windsor Castle...

A fine piece of work, Mike. I shall tuck it away for future reference. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for all this detailed information.

Wonderful words, Owain. Books and articles, well-researched, are excellent for information and also provide pictures to help in the never-ending quest for good images that I can use. At least I know what I am looking for! Good to hear about the Ethiopian and Somalian books, I think I've blown the book budget for this year (yours is not the only book I've bought) but if they are on PoD, maybe I can get them next year! And I'm beginning to get into writing myself, although in my usual butterfly way there are 3-4 in progress right now (East Germany, South Africa, Greece, and maybe Colombia - having difficulty with images for that one - if anyone is interested). Hoping that the Christmas break will provide time to get at least one ready... 🤞

There were 2 types of this medal: Type 1 - reverse inscribed EΘΝΙΚΗ ΑΝΤΙΣΤΑΣΙΣ 1941-1945 Type 2 - reverse inscribed EΘΝΙΚΗ ΑΝΤΙΣΤΑΣΗ 1941-1945 - this was awarded from 1982.

Temptation has got the better of me, order placed. My Christmas present to myself 🤓

Oh dear, yet another rabbit hold to dive down on my website... ... it could so easily become a full-time job! Never mind, maybe once I retire (if ever, having too much fun teaching as well!).