Megan

Thank you, Tiger-pie; and the citation justifies the award, in my opinion.

Fascinating stuff - thank you for sharing. The personal aspect only makes it the more interesting. Were your grandfathers enthuiasts for the cause even before the fighting broke out or did they get caught up in the excitement? How did they feel about it once the dust died down?

You can see what I have so far discovered at http://www.medals.org.uk/papua-new-guinea/png.htm and following pages.

Having just spent 10 days there, I thought it was about time to develop that section of my website. Not much to be found, though! Two orders are listed by government websites: the Order of Makarios III and the Order of Merit. These also appear in World Orders of Knighthood and Merit, in which I have found the only pictures of the insignia of either that I have yet been able to locate. Both appear to be in existence currently, and are being awarded. Yuri Yashnev lists a Medal of Eudokimos Diokesis, of which he gives a picture and scanty details. Anyone have anything to add to this meagre offering?

Thank you Pet - I do not actually collect medals only information & pictures, and the good folks at Liverpool Medals let me use images from their catalogue... but I don't want to display fakes if I can help it!!

Strictly speaking they ain't - geographically it is at best questionable (although a strong swimmer could get there from the Greek islands!) and while they'd like to join the EU they have not yet done so! Very nice folks though. But that aside, there's at least one Liyakat Medal (real one) in the latest Morton & Eden auction. Few other tasty Turkish pieces as well.

Thanks - it's what I thought but having people with a particular interest in the faking of this specific medal I was going to take the opportunity to ask :-)

If I may draw on your expertise, folks - there are a couple of Black & Tan medals on the Liverpool Medals site (they are kind enough to allow me to use their pictures on my site) - could you take a look and advise if they are real or fakes? I don't want to display fake medals if I can avoid it! http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/products-ca....html?ctid=2320 refers....

Thanks for your prompt action, Nick. I shall now remove my comment about behaving like gentlemen as it was addressed to said individuals, not to Pet, Irish Collector or Peter who are having a reasonable discussion about the incidence and identification of fake Irish medals.

Thank you, Eric. At the moment I'm working through the goodies from the San Giorgio catalogue - but most of the time they only show the obverse of things. Beautifully, mind you. When I have finished I'll invite you to come and take a look and see if there are any holes that you can fill.

Have you spoken to Trading Standards about this faker?

Regarding the catalogue - if you use the nice page-turning viewer, you have the option to save each page individually as a very large JPEG (with text and pictures). Or you can get about as much detail as you like from the online version's zoom facility, use screenshots to grab the images you want.

Just so - and it is pleasing to see that Eric's work is referenced in the auction catalogue! Moreover, due to the kindness of the good folks at San Giorgio Aste, I have been allowed to use images of the items to be auctioned from said catalogue on my site. Thanks folks, Enzo & Eric in particular.

The oakleaf clasp indicates a 'Mention in Dispatches' - i.e. the individual has performed some service or deed of merit, but not sufficient for the award of a separate medal. 'OBE' - means Officer of the Order of the British Empire (the 4th class award) - unlike most nations UK orders do not show the class when ribbons only are worn, so you have to guess where within the order in question the owner of the ribbons was!

The Medal for Bravery was instituted in one class (gold) on 8 May 1939, with the silver & bronze classes being added on 11 September of the same year. It was awarded between these dates and 1945 by the German-controlled government of the Slovak Republic. The ''?" represents 'Slovakia' rather than a maker's mark. The enamel device on the ribbon appears to have been an integral part of the insignia as a whole rather than having any special significance.

Gold Decoration of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic

Cross of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic:

Nice... The first award is described as the "Cross of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic" and is to be awarded for heroism in combat or excellent command in combat. The second is the "Gold Decoration of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic" and is to be awarded to those who protect human rights and freedoms, preserve human life and property, and act in defence of law and order. Also established is a medal, the Commemorative Medal of Honour for the 90th Anniversary of the Czech Republic, to be awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the development of the state (but which appears to be going to be awarded to most members of the armed forces!). Thanks for spotting this, Antonio. Scuttling off to update my site....

As always, I have more than I've yet found time to put on the website! Must get round to it....

And the Medal "For Patriotic Achievements":

3rd Class:

2nd Class:

1st Class: Instituted: 26 November 1962. Awarded: To those who possess patriotic merit and are known for their support and contributions to the people in the battle for national independence, liberty and progress.

Having (finally!) settled down to read the 3rd Edition - I have a week off so decided to do something about the People's Republic of Albania - I am well impressed by a magnificent work.

Yep - you are right about the usefulness of the caption, James - I intended to type it in then forgot! When I have some time (not tonight, it's a parents' evening at college!) I will see how many of the medals mentioned I can find a picture of, and post them for comparison.