Megan

Blows dust off... and now some images have come to light. There are two types of the order with small but distinctive differences between the insignia. The first one, awarded 1973-1988, consisted of 5 classes: Grand Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, and Officer. The Collar was mostly given to foreign heads of state and I've not found images or even a description of it (grrr). The differences in the badge are 1) the number of proteas flowers on the obverse and 2) the coloured enamels on the reverse. To illustrate this, here's the obverse and reverse of the Grand Cross badge: And the Grand Cross star: Note the proteas flowers - there are 12 of them. Here's a Type 1 Commander for good measure: Now, to the Type 2... and a Grand Cross set. There are now only 8 proteas flowers with a different arrangement: A Grand Officer badge and star, also sadly obverse only: Finally, to show the reverse - no enamels, just the pre-1994 South African arms in relief - is the Type 2 Officer: That kept me out of mischief yesterday...

Heck, I have enough to do keeping up with state-awarded ODM past and present, never mind what the descendants of former monarchs like to share amongst themselves! But thank you for sharing images and information, Emmanuel.

Lovely images, thank you for sharing, Emmanuel.

It looks like the centrepiece has rotated on the leftmost one, if it's a multi-piece item that's something that can happen and can be rectified with a little care. Drat, my Ratisbon login is on the other computer... I'll look at it later 🤓

Indeed it is a lovely piece - good design and glorious enamel work, particularly the central red bit. Er, Graham, would you be willing to let me put the image on my website, please?

Oooh... several examples of the Military Order of Lāčplēsis (Lāčplēsis Kara ordenis) and an Order of Viesturs (Viesturs Ordenis) thrown in for good measure.

Very nice.... especially with the certificate and all. Herr Horst must have felt ten feet tall when he got that!

This is the Order "Star of Glory. Economy of Azerbaijan" which is awarded to individuals whose dedicated work, high moral and professional qualities, integrity and responsibility have contributed to their company or organisation achieving a leading position in the economy and can serve as a worthy example for the national business community. Recipients include academics as well as businesspeople. It appears to be awarded by an association called the National Business Rating rather than by the state. As far as I can tell this is linked to the trades union movement in Azerbaijan... if my Russian hasn't let me down!

Magic, thank you Emmanuel.

Did the wife have a brother? She may have inherited his stuff and it got mixed in with her husband's militaria.

Interesting article. Reminds me of a visit to a British Transport Police station, for the purpose of reporting the theft of my wallet whilst travelling. The conversation went in some very unexpected directions. To start with, they thought I was the sign interpreter they'd ordered for a deaf visitor (never did find out how voluntary their visit was, I think they'd been nicked for something) - I can sign a bit but not up to intepretation standard so said I didn't think I could help. Then I listed what was in the wallet, which included a membership card for the Police Insignia Collectors' Association, at which point I was presented with a BTP sweater patch! The conversation then moved on to batons. This was in 1994, and they'd just been issued the side arm baton, to their disgust, the constables stated to a man that they preferred truncheons! They said that a trucheon was a much more instinctive weapon whereas they had to think what they wanted to do with the side arm baton. It wasn't long before one was produced... and it turned out they'd not had much training, so I was demonstrating how to use it to effect! And all because some toad had pinched my wallet!

Blows dust off topic... Here is my translation into English of the original decree establishing the order: 20 July 1957: Creation of the Order of "Daniel A. Carrión" Supreme Decree The President of the Republic, CONSIDERING: That it is the duty of the State to laud the merits of those who carry out effective good social work That you must also pay tribute to those who, with their personal action, sacrifice or persevering work, contribute to progress of Health, Medicine or Science to be related to Health That to this end it is necessary to create a decoration that while it rewards merit and sets an example; and That this reward must go hand in hand with name of the Martyr of Peruvian Medicine, whose first centenary of his birth will be marked on 12 August next I DECREE Art. 1: Believe the Order of "Daniel A. Carrión" intended to reward the persons who perform exemplary work of social good or contribute to the progress of the Health, the advancement of Medicine or science that relates to health. Art. 2: The Order is divided into four classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander and Officer. Art. 3: The Order "Daniel A. Carrión" shall be granted by Supreme Resolution, which shall state the services provided by the individual proposed by the Council of the Order, and to whom a diploma signed by the President of the Republic, who will be the Grand Master of the Order and endorsed by the Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare who shall exercise the Chancellor's position, shall be presented. Art. 4: The Council of the Order to be chaired by the Grand Master will be constituted of: · the Minister of Public Health and Social assistance, Chancellor · the President of the Public Charity Society of Lima · the President of the Peruvian Red Cross · the Secretary-General of the Association Peruvian Medical Officer "Daniel A. Carrión" · the President of the Doctor's Home · the Director-General of Health · Director of Health Areas · Director of Services Technical-Privates, who will act as Secretary Art. 5: The Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare is responsible for formulating the Regulations of the Order "Daniel A. Carrión" to be approved by Supreme Resolution. Given in the Government House, in Lima, to the twenty days of July of a thousand nine hundred fifty-seven. MANUEL PRADO Jorge Haaker. I have the full Spanish text of the September 1969 decree which I am working through. That even has some images of the insignia and descriptions of them! The original is here: https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minsa/informes-publicaciones/353028-condecoracion-de-la-orden-daniel-alcides-carrion-reglamento However it is rapidly approaching suppertime. Translations may have to wait!!!

An interesting addition to your collection...

Badges aren't really my thing, but "FDJ" was the East German youth organisation Freie Deutsche Jugend [Free German Youth], the middle item looks like a cap badge, I think for the police... the triangular badge probably marks attendance at an education establishment or a particular course. Sorry not to be more helpful...

International Committee of the Red Cross, with the assistance of national Red Cross organisations, it appears. They were behind the 1918 Berne Agreements which covered the repatriation of Prisoners of War. Found an interesting article giving some of the background: https://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2018/03/29/1918-bern-agreements-repatriating-prisoners-of-war/

Indeed, they are wonderful... evidence of genuine socialist appreciation of work well done.

A sad loss indeed. Medals are no consolation, yet show what his sacrifice meant to the nation on whose behalf he fought, by his own choice. If only Russia had not invaded Ukraine, such tragedies would not have happened. So many lives could still be being lived, Ukrainian and Russian alike as well as those who stepped up to support a sovereign nation in the face of aggression.

The difference between the Grand Cross star and the Class 1 star was that the Grand Cross one had gold rays as 4 of the 8 rays of the star. Here's one I pinched from my website, sorry about the small size - the HQ images are on another computer! 1933-1937 emission.

These fellows have quite the collection of awards... The last one is wearing the sash and star of a Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and the Commander of the Order of St Michael & St George (CMG, neck badge).

Great to see the version for wearing in uniform, the civil one on rectangular mount is more often seen... thank you for sharing.

Has anyone got an image of the Order for Meritorious Service, Silver please? And did that also have a star or was the star only for the Order for Meritorious Service, Gold?

I can confirm that no batons were used at the 1969 Investiture.

Great stuff. The imagery on the first one is fantastic, really captures the socialist ideal of everyone working together to mutual benefit 🤓

Jock, please keep your political opinions to yourself. This whole board, and certainly this thread, is for talking about militaria. I come here to discuss medals. I too have strong opinions about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but I talk about those in more appropriate places and do not intend to discuss them here, thank you.

Nice find... and in good condition too. Best I ever got out of a skip was a set of Latin books that enabled me to teach myself Latin! Oh, and an oscilloscope that still worked.