Megan

I understand that there is a list of recipients at the Netherlands chancellery.

Inhuldigingsmedaille 1948 This royal commemorative was instituted on 13 August 1948 to mark the inauguration ceremonies held for Queen Juliana on 6 September 1948, following her mother Queen Wilhelmina’s abdication on 4 September 1948… the ceremony being held exactly 50 years after Queen Wilhelmina’s own inauguration on 6 September 1898. This was the first royal commemorative to be instituted by means of a formal Royal Warrant, previous ones having been established merely by court decision and thus being only semi-official. It was awarded to individuals involved in the preparations for the ceremonial, those who had an official part to play in the inauguration ceremony itself (including the military personnel on duty) and the invited guests, with some 3,240 being presented in total. The medal was designed by Nel Klaassen and made at the Royal Mint in Utrect. The medal is silver, 30.5mm in diameter. The obverse of the medal shows the portrait of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard facing left, while on the reverse a crowned J is surrounded by the text "JULIANA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands) with the text INHULDIGING 6 SEPTEMBER 1948 (inauguration 6th of September 1948) in a semi-circle below the crowned J. The ribbon is orange with a double blue central stripe and narrow red, white and blue edges. It was created by Koninklijk besluit no. 49 van 13 augustus 1948 (Nederlandse Staatscourant no. 160 van 18 augustus 1948)/Royal Decree No.49 of 13 August 1948 (Dutch Government Gazette No.160 of 18 August 1948) [Picture credit: eMedals]

Tasty, but what will it cost?

Ribbon red with black edges... but you know the Imperial Russians, always a bit vague with medal ribbons!

Casteel de Goede Hoop-Dekorasie The Castle of Good Hope Decoration was instituted on 6 April 1952 as a substitute for the Victoria Cross, for which South Africans had previously been eligible. It was given formal approval by Queen Elizabeth II on 26 January 1953. It was to be awarded for most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy in wartime, the requirement for ‘wartime’ being removed in 1986 to permit for its award in other operations, although no awards were ever made. It was discontinued on 27 April 2003, being replaced by the Nkwe ya Gauta. Worn on a plain green neck ribbon, the decoration consisted of a pentagonal gold medal, based on the outline of the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. The obverse depicts three ships sailing into Table Bay in 1652 surrounded by a band of proteus flowers and the title of the decoration in English and Afrikaans. The reverse shows the 1910-pattern South African coat of arms, and specimens struck before the country became a republic in 1961 also have Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R).

Ster vir Dapperheid in Goud The equivalent award to the Gold Star for Bravery for members of uMkhonto we Sizwe is the Star for Bravery in Gold, likewise instituted in 1996 and awarded for exceptional deeds of bravery, performed in action against an armed enemy, while in great danger of life between 1961 and 1994. It may be worn in uniform by those former members of uMkhonto we Sizwe who have enlisted in the South African forces since 1994. The decoration was discontinued on 27 July 2003[1]. The design is also similar, being a five-pointed gold star. The obverse has a white central roundel bearing a gold lion; the reverse is plain with the state arms in relief. The ribbon is red with a double white central stripe. [1] Government Gazette No 25213

Ster vir Dapperheid In an unprecedented move as part of the national reconciliation, former combatants from the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto Wesizwe were not only permitted to enlist in the South African military but acts of bravery and service against the pre-1994 South African government were recognised by awards that could be worn on South African uniforms. Both organisations had parallel but different awards. This, the Gold Star for Bravery, was the highest gallantry award for members of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, being awarded for exceptional deeds of bravery against an armed enemy, while in great danger of life. The decoration consists of a ten-pointed gold star. The obverse has a white central roundel bearing a gold lion; the reverse is plain with the state arms in relief. The ribbon is red with a wide white central stripe. The Gold Star for Bravery was instituted in 1996, awarded for acts of bravery performed between 1961 and 1994, and discontinued on 27 July 2003. (Sorry, not the best of images... if anyone has a better?)

And I am somewhere in between... at 52 my daughter is 15 But the hair is grey... we have 3 Megans in my church, and so when more than one of us is around in the same meeting, I refer to myself as 'the grey Megan' given that the other two are college students. The other folks try to be more polite, but get tangled up, so I shall probably get my way in the end... The trick is to enjoy life, enjoy the folks around you, enjoy whatever it is you are doing. I too need some improvement in the paycheck area, like I would like a job. Unemployment sucks, and job-hunting is a frustrating exercise in futility and wastes a heck of a lot of time. Everything else is wonderful!

I was speaking to a senior fire officer a couple of days ago, who was in his 'service dress' tunic with the Golden Jubilee & Fire Long Service ribbons up. He said that the Diamond Jubilee ribbon would not be added until he actually got the medal. Not sure if that was personal preference or Fire Service policy, though.

Thanks for that, Arthur. I think the HCD image that I have is probably a "collector's copy" rather than the real thing. As I seem to have made some contacts at a reasonably high level in SA, who knows, they may let me have a picture of the real thing... As for the references, they have told me that they will pass on earlier Gazettes than are available online Not sure how early they can go, and I shall have to hunt for the Royal Warrant, though.

The Honoris Crux Silver insignia is identical to that of the Honoris Crux Gold save for the metal used and a second narrow white central stripe on the orange ribbon. The Honoris Crux (as in, the fourth class of the revised decoration) is made of silver but with a white-enamelled cross rather than a green one. Its ribbon has a double white edge... and I haven't found a picture yet I also have not found the regulations for the establishment of any of this, just the one of 25 July 2003 that finally discontinued it (Government Gazette no. 25213).

The Honoris Crux Gold is virtually identical, save for a gold circle around the central roundel, no diamonds and a single narrow white stripe down the centre of the orange ribbon. (Apologies for the quality of the image, it's the only one I've been able to find so far!)

Instituted on 1 July 1975 in four classes to replace the Honoris Crux, the Honoris Crux Decoration was also awarded for selfless acts of gallantry. The highest class, Honoris Crux Diamond, was never awarded and the sole specimen made was donated to the South African National Museum of Military History in 2009. The other classes – Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver and Honoris Crux were awarded sparingly. The top two classes were abolished in 1993, and the entire decoration superseded by the Nkwe ya Selefera (Leopard Decoration for Bravery) in 2003. The insignia was similar to that of the original Honoris Crux, being an eight pointed Maltese Cross superimposed on a wreath with crossed swords in the angles and a central roundel divided horizontally into orange, white and blue. The Honoris Crux Diamond is made of gold with the cross on the obverse enamelled green, and bears eight diamonds on a green circle around the central roundel. The reverse is plain with the national arms. The ribbon is plain orange.

Instituted on 6 April 1952, this decoration was awarded in a single class for gallantry in action against the enemy in the field. It was awarded just 5 times before being replaced by a four-class decoration titled Honoris Crux Decoration (the name ‘Honoris Crux’ referring to the lowest class of the award). The badge consists of a silver-gilt Maltese cross with eagles between the arms. The obverse is green, with an orange-white-blue centre disc framed in a red circle inscribed "Honoris Crux". The reverse displays the 1910 South African national coat of arms, with early examples (before 1961) also displaying the Royal Cipher of Queen Elizabeth II. The ribbon is green with red and white edges.

I have settled down for a good look at the orders, decorations and medals of South Africa, so I'll share what I come up with here. I am basing things on the Consolidated Table of Precedence published 11 March 2005 (Government Gazette no. 27376)... and on a fair bit of assistance from some delightful ladies in the South African government! This establishes the Order of Mapungubwe as the premier order. Instituted on 6 December 2002 by Presidential Warrant[1] this order is intended to recognise exceptional, excellent and outstanding achievements made by South Africans to the benefit of the Republic and in the international arena. The order, which is regarded as the premier South African order, is named after Mapungubwe, an ancient African nation which existed a thousand years ago in what is now the northern part of the Limpopo province. The insignia is designed to reflect this heritage. The order was originally established in three classes – Platinum, Gold and Bronze – and a fourth class, Silver, was added on 22 October 2004[2]. The first award, in Platinum, was made to Nelson Mandela for his services towards national reconciliation and nation-building. The Badge of the Order consists of a horizontal oval above an inverted trapezium. Within the oval, a rhinoceros is depicted in front of the sun rising over Mapungubwe hill. There is a beadwork pattern across the curved upper edge of the trapezium, with an ornate crucible from which molten gold flows down to a red furnace in the centre, bordered by two twisted sceptres. The reverse shows the National arms. The Badge is identical for all grades, the metal varying according to class, and it is worn on a neck ribbon which is gold, edged with a line of cream-coloured bead-like dots along each edge, and recurring cream-coloured rhinoceros silhouettes down the centre. Unfortunately, with it being a new and rarely-awarded order, finding pictures of actual insignia is a bit difficult. So for the time being I am making do with a good drawing of the thing! [1] Government Gazette No 24155 [2] Government Gazette No 26929

Thank you, dear heart. And as you know, I read Russian! Of course, now the South African government has offered to send me ALL their material... So it is likely I shall be oscillating between the two.

I am sitting down... But am thinking of going and writing about South Africa instead, last night I found where they have all their regulations! Seriously, thanks... Do you have a copy (or link to) the decree, please?

Thank you indeed, Ilya! For those who like regulations, they are here: http://www.mod.gov.rw/IMG/pdf/Directives_on_mililtary_Awards_25Apr08_.pdf - mostly about how they should be worn rather than detailing what awards there are & what you get them for, though.

Tapperhedskorset This is a new bravery award, described by the Danish Ministry of Defence as being equivalent to the UK Victoria Cross or US Medal of Honor, instituted in 2011 and so far awarded but the once. [Picture credit: Danish Ministry of Defence] Quite a handsome beast!

Aargh... noble work, Frank... but now even more to do :)

Correct. While there are several ‘flood medals’ awarded by federal states, this is the only federally-created flood relief medal in the German honours system. It was instituted on 20 September 2002 by the joint efforts of the Federal Minister of the Interior Otto Schily and the then Federal Minister of Defence Peter Struck[1], and awarded to those who assisted in flood disaster relief efforts in Germany in the summer of 2002 [1] Gemeinsamer Erlass des Bundesministers des Innern und des Bundesministers der Verteidigung über die Stiftung der Einsatzmedaille Fluthilfe 2002

Thanks for all that, Paul. So, unofficial mementos... but easy to confuse with official medals if you don't happen to know. The crown does look a bit of a bodge. I have pictures of a silver one without crown, must get around to sticking them up. And a link to the non-wearable one that appears to have been modified to make the jeton, seeing as I found it on a coin dealer's site & do not have permission to use it!

Type 2 A 26mm diameter circular silver gilt medal with a crown suspension, the obverse bears the crowned monograms of Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna. The reverse shows a rown over an inscription in two lines - Коронованъ | въ Москвљ (Coronation | in Moscow) and the date. Having found a non-wearable ‘souvenir’ commemorative medal with this design, this may be an unofficial commemorative made by attaching the suspension. [Picture: e-Medals] I have also seen a similar medal with the same obverse/reverse but a simple ring suspension, which further leads me to believe that someone was making wearable souvenirs out of a commemorative piece! (Will try to add a picture later...)

Медаль "В память коронации императора Александра III" Instituted on 12 May 1883 to mark the Coronation of Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna on 27 May of that year, this medal was awarded to those involved in organising the ceremony, those who attended in an official capacity and those responsible for security arrangements. More than one variant is believed to exist, but they may not all be official. Type 1 This is believed to be the official medal. It is a circular bronze medal, 28mm in diameter. The obverse shows a portrait of Alexander III, surrounded by the inscription Б. М. АЛЕКСАНДРЪ III ИМП. И САМОД. ВСЕРОСС (H.M. Alexander III. Tsar of All Russia). The reverse bears an imperial crown, under which is written Коронованъ | въ Москвљ | мая 15 | 1883 (Coronation | In Moscow | May 15 | 1883). [Picture: Yuri Yashnev]

Yes, this badge was worn 1926-1973, when - still not satisfied - they requested a neck badge instead! The actual design of the badge was retained, they just were given a yellow-edged red neck ribbon to hang it on.The ribbon is not worn on a ribbon bar (although some senior police officers ought to be reminded of this, some of them wear it on their 'racks'!). Badge 1926-1973: Badge since 1973: