Megan

Hello again, Alex. Like most nations' medal systems, the UK one breaks down into: * Awards for bravery - in combat or in everyday life * Awards for meritorious service or achievement * Awards for 'just being there' - campaign service medals * Awards for long service * Awards marking general occasions - such as Royal coronations/anniversaries Being a monarchy, there is a subset of meritorious service awards for service rendered directly to the sovereign. In the UK, there are 'Orders of Knighthood' which are almost exclusively awarded for meritorious service/achievement. Decorations are generally awarded for acts of bravery, a few can be awarded for other achievements. Medals are given for participation in military actions, or for long service - mainly in a 'uniformed service,' that is the armed forces, police, and emergency services (ambulance and fire). It just looks complex, as there are things like different branches of the armed services having their own award for doing a thing, a different award based on the rank of the recipient rather than what he's done (something that was reduced considerably during the 1990s), and the like. You might care to visit my site to get an overview of the whole system.

Hello, Alexander, and welcome! I expect you've found http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ which is quite a comprehensive site. They have an extensive book list at http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/aabooks.htm - should give you a starting point. Other useful sites are the Victoria Cross Society - http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/ - and one at http://www.victoriacross.co.uk/ which is more of a personal quest to document award stories and research recipients. You will find another book list here - http://www.war-art.com/books_on_vc's.htm - along with comments on each book so you can decide which will be most useful. This is quite interesting - http://www.victoriacrossheroes.com/index.html - as you may have heard, in the UK there is a very wealthy and enthusiastic collectors of VCs called Lord Ashcroft, and this site is mostly about his collection. Anything else you need, just ask.

And the reverse:

Orden del Sol del Perú - Instituted: 8 October 1821, discontinued: 1825, re-established: 1921. Awarded for exceptional achievements in civilian and military activities, in SIX classes (there was a 'with diamonds' version of the Grand Cross). The one you have, Linas, is indeed the Knight class. Knight, Obverse:

Unfortunately, with all due respect to our American cousins, it's the wrong part of the SVA that has been challenged. Like most of us here, I thoroughly disapprove of people pretending - for glory or for gain - to have been awarded medals that they are not entitled to claim, and don't hold truck with the idea that 'freedom of speech' means 'freedom to lie through your teeth'! Where the SVA went astray was making it illegal to SELL certain medals, which has made trade in, for example, the Medal of Honor virtually impossible unless you are a recipient or descendant of one wanting to sell it to a museum. They ought to have swiped the relevant text from the UK Army Act 1955 which made it illegal to wear or claim to have been awarded any medal that you had not earned, and for a SERVING member of the armed forces to sell his medals. That handled the matter of fake claimants far better, and made it absolutely clear that the collecting trade was not included. Alas that bit not make it into the most recent version of military legislation here.

Thank you. Always trying to get these things correct...

Was it issued in more than one class then?

Reverse:

Awarded: To members of the Fire Service for sustained and dedicated service of a high order. Post Nominal Letters: MSM. Date of institution unknown, possibly 1970. Obverse:

Within the Commonwealth, several nations have chosen to incorporate the Victoria Cross into their own Honours System, generally to be awarded by HM The Queen in her role as their Queen. Australia - incorporated the VC into the Australian Honours System on 15 January 1991. Canada - instituted the 'Victoria Cross of Canada' on 2 February 1993, prior to that Canadians were eligible for the UK version. New Zealand - instituted the 'Victoria Cross for New Zealand' in September 1999, again before that date New Zealand citizens received the UK one. The Canadians have modified the design - so the scroll reads 'Pro Valore' rather than 'For Valour' - but I think Australia and New Zealand have retained the original design.

Both were established 15 May 1972 and replaced (by the Fiji Police Medal and Fiji Police Long Service Medal respectively) on 8 March 1995. Unfortunately although I know the ribbon colours I have no pictures of these :(

From The Hindu (Indian newspaper), November 26 1953: "The Damascus correspondent of the Khilafat of Bombay reported that Syria's President Adib Shiskali was to present personally the Family Medal of Distinguished Degree to a Syrian father who had 17 living children. The presentation was part of that country's campaign to boost population. A total of 150 medals belonging to five degrees were to be awarded to prolific parents. The Government had created the Order of the Syrian family to promote the concept of prolific parenthood. Families raising numerous children were to be given free travel facilities and educational privileges throughout Syria."

Order of the Syrian Family Instituted: 18 March 1952, and awarded to mothers for bearing set numbers of children in 5 classes. This is the 3rd Class (9 children): The picture arrived from my good friend Emmanuel Halleux this morning. He says that the 4th Class is the same, but all silver; and the 4th Class all bronze.

You receive a framed certificate, usually at a formal parade. There is no wearable component.

Oh, it's YOU! :beer:

I just received notification of a new book on UK police helmet and cap badges, so I thought to mention it here for those who might be interested. Website: http://helmetscaps.co.uk/

Thank you, I shall! May I have your name for the acknowledgements, please?

In place of the ??? - I knew I'd seen that ribbon recently and found it last night - I'd say Portugal Order of Merit.

Commander, 1st Type, with swords:

Thanks, Ed... and you are always welcome with your thoughtful and erudite contributions :D

Nice... er, would you be prepared to permit the use of the pictures (properly attributed of course) on my website, please?

I mean the extra gold edge... the regular ribbon is light blue with silver central stripe & edges, then for wartime awards an extra gold edge is added.

And its reverse: Interestingly it appears to be on a war ribbon even though it's without swords.

Now for the 1st Type, a Knight (without swords). Obverse:

Thank you - for information and for good wishes.