Megan

Grand Cross

Officer:

Grand Officer Star:

Grand Cross Star

That brings back memories... 'Soyuz' was the first Russian word I learned to read! Nice pins, too...

Some are, others sourced elsewhere. If you are in search of image attributions, see the relevant section links page on my website where those who have contributed are acknowledged.

Grand Cross Star:

Orden Jos? Cecilio del Valle Instituted: 3 October 1957. Grand Cross Badge:

Commander:

Orden del Moraz?n Instituted: 1 March 1941. Awarded: For general merit. Grand Cross Badge:

Knight:

Commander:

Grand Officer Badge:

Instituted: 21 February 1868. Discontinued: 1901. Awarded: Unknown. Grades: 5. Grand Cross Star:

Gordon, I think your badge is a Parachute-Jumper qualification. PJs are specially-trained medics capable of parachute insertion into wherever their medical skills are needed, whether it is a combat situation, rough country where you cannot land or winch down, at sea (they have to be excellent swimmers) and so on.

I'd say zodiac signs as well. The band around the globe represents the ecliptic, and on it - if you are in to western astrology - you can mark the succession of 'houses' through which the earth moves... No doubt the original idea, but later jewellers weren't astrologers so carved something more or less like the original design rather than getting it precisely right.

Reverse:

Pingat Lama Dan Baik Dalam Pekerjaan Instituted: 1922. Post-nominal letters: PLP Obverse:

An Morton & Eden auction catalogue - if you catch it at just the right time they put up some very high quality jpeg images, but they only are around for a couple of weeks so you have to move fast!

Knight Commander Badge

Pingat Taat Instituted: 1925. Post-nominal letters: PT.

Reverse:

An award from another Malaysian state... Obverse:

Instituted: 1957. Awarded: To mothers for bearing and raising large families - 1st Class for 8 or more children, 2nd class for 5 to 8 children).

These are real. You know how Malaysia orders her affairs, don't you? Several states, each with its own ruling house, joined as the Federation of Malaysia ruled by the head of one of the states' ruling houses, they take turns with a 5-year term of office I think. Each ruling house, plus the Federation itself, has its own set of honours. A lot just get traded between members of the ruling houses, of course, but they do get awarded to real citizens as well.