Megan

Actually, the nicknames for the various levels of the Order of St Michael & St George were in common use, certainly within both the Home Civil Service and the Foreign Office, for some considerable time before Yes, Minister was aired. For those who don't know them: CMG = Call Me God KCMG = Kindly Call Me God GCMG = God Calls Me God

Thank you, Antonio - much appreciated!

Thanks for that, Antonio. I have plenty more Spanish pictures to come. You have your own images of these two, but when I find ones you are missing I will e-mail them to you so you can use them on your wonderful site.

Nice - Thanks, folks. I have little information as yet...

Sash & Star - Zimbabwe Order of Merit, Civil Division, Grand Commander or 1st Class. Medals: Red ribbon, narrow black, yellow & green edge stripes: Liberation Medal in silver (there was also a bronze one) awarded for services towards the creation of the republic of Zimbabwe in 1980. Black central stripe with red, yellow and green outer stripes: Independence Medal in silver (again there was also a bronze version), created in 1980 to celebrate formal independence as Zimbabwe and awarded as desired by the Prime Minister. Last one MAY be the Liberation Decoration, but I have no further information on that. I think the collar is the badge of office of the Presidency, but I have no reference picture to back up my opinion. Lovely pics, thanks IVB.

Thanks Ed... but that's quite interesting because your information states that the current blue, white and green flag was introduced in 2006, while IVB's picture is dated 2002. James, do you have a date for your picture? Between us we'll find out what's going on....

When instituted in 1972, this order had a dark blue ribbon edged with narrow stripes of green and red - so again there seems to have been an alteration to match the colours of the new national flag. So Arthur's suggestion of an outdated ribbon seems likely to be correct. Does anyone know the date on which the flag was changed?

I have just heard about a recent Tongan medal. Apparently 45 soldiers were sent to the Gulf in support of American forces, and have been awarded the Campaign Medal:

Fascinating stuff! Thanks, all.

The uniform would seem to support you view, Ed. It looks like a Civil Service court dress tunic.

Here is the current issue of the Grand Cross, blue distinction - awarded when the act or services were performed during peacekeeping or other international actions.

I have now turned my attention to Spain... Here from the Order of Military Merit (Orden del M?rito Militar) is the Grand Cross with yellow distinction, the current version as awarded since 2003 - the order having been instituted in 1864. The yellow distinction is awarded for death or wounds in the course of military action.

Lovely!!!!

I have no interest in 'political correctness' dear heart... And strange though it may seem, even South Africa gaols were mainly populated by convicts banged up for 'real' crimes who I am quite sure behaved just as badly behind bars as they had when free.

Decoration for Valour in the South African Prisons Service Custodi Pro Virtute Instituted: 26 February 1968. Discontinued: 1980. Awarded: For conspicuous and exceptional gallantry, or acts in which a member of the Prison Service risked or lost his life attempting to save others. Post-nominal letters: CPV

Department of Correctional Services Medal for Faithful Service (Bronze) Instituted: 1980. Discontinued: 1996. Awarded: For 10 years' irreproachable service.

3rd Class:

Today, the Kingdom's Order of Independence Instituted in 1951 by King Idris, and awarded for civilian and military service in 4 classes. This is the star of the 2nd Class:

Yep - I could see that the firefighter on the right of your picture is wearing it... May I use the medal picture (with due acknowledgement of course) on my site, please?

Is this award classed as 'official' and permitted to be worn in uniform?

3rd Class:

Thank you, IVB! Kingdom of Libya: Order of Ibn Ali al-Senoussi Instituted: 1951 by King Idris. Awarded: For civil and military merit, in 4 classes. 1st Class Star:

While a 'General Service with the UN' medal with a bunch of bars might be more tidy - consider that most of the time people display only ribbons, and so even if a number were pinned on it would give very little indication of the individual's service to a casual observer, whereas a selection of UN ribbons does show where the individual has been. And yes, apart from the UN Korea Medal all UN medals are identical, it is just the ribbon that changes with mission.

2nd Class - apparently a neck badge. I don't think it is accompanied by a star.

1st Class Star: