Gordon Craig

I am not aware of any British badge like this one. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, The following is from the British Parliament web page. Those receiving this honour receive two pinned sterling silver emblems, one full size for formal remembrance events and a miniature version for less formal events. The reverse of the cross will be engraved with the name of the person in whose memory it is granted. The emblems will be accompanied by a memorial scroll. A cased cross was sold just over a month ago for 1000 pounds. Regards, Gordon

ChrisKelly, Great article. Thanks for posting it. I've always been interested in Air Ships. Regards, Gordon

Another interesting badge an topic that I would like to add to from another write up on these trains. There had been two armoured trains used during WW2 in Indochina (one in Tonkin, the other in Cambodia), but their details and eventual fate are not known. The famous Rafale ("wind blast") armoured train was built in southern Annam during the winter of 1948-49, and operated between Ninh Hoa-Phat Thiet-Nha Trang in the service of 2e REI (the 2nd Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment). It included 2 locomotives, 2 wagons loaded with rails and sleepers (at the front to explode mines laid on the track), command/radio wagon, ambulance wagon, cookhouse wagon, and 9 other wagons. Armament included a 40mm Bofors gun, a 20mm cannon (with IR sights), 8 twin Reibel 7.5mm MGs, a 81mm mortar mounted on an old Japanese gun carriage, and a 60mm mortar. The crew included 100 légionnaires plus local auxilliaries. Some difference in opinion by the writers but worth looking at each of them.

I would like to have more information on this medal. I know that it was produced and awarded to all members of the Cuban armed forces to commemorate the the Sgts. Revolt in 1933. Other than that not much. I'd like to know when it was authorized, who designed and engraved it, where was it made, how many were made etc. Grateful for any information that can be provided. Regards, Gordon

ChrisKelly, Thanks for adding to our knowledge of ENSA. Regards, Gordon

Mike, A labour of love for sure. Thanks for all your hard work and for sharing it with us. Regards, Gordon

Wat05, No doubt you have looked on line at these awards before starting a thread on them. I am also not an authority on this award. I rely on others in my research. What is written in the following link is in accordance with other comments on this award. Regards, Gordon https://www.thirdreichmedals.com/ostvolk-awards.html https://foreignvolunteerlegion.com/EasternPeoples2.htm

Wat05, Unfortunately, what happens when this type of search takes place. Unless a VC ribbon bar comes with some sort of attribution there is little hope of proving it is authentic by researching it. Here is a listing from Noonans auction that ends tomorrow. It, at least, was put together as a representative bar and that is stated in the sale. . Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria Live Online Auction More Information Lot № 683 x . To be sold on: 5 December 2024 Estimate: £80–£100 Place Bid Remove from Cabinet Save to your Lists Description The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals representative of those worn by Private G. Stringer, Manchester Regiment Victoria Cross; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Serbia, Kingdom, Bravery Medal, gold, mounted for wear, gilding rubbed on last, good very fine (7) £80-£100 Footnote V.C. London Gazette 5 August 1916: ‘For most conspicuous bravery and determination. After the capture of an enemy position, he was posted on the extreme right of the Battalion in order to guard against any hostile attack. His battalion was subsequently forced back by an enemy counter-attack, but Private Stringer held his ground single-handed and kept back the enemy till all his hand-grenades were expended. His very gallant stand saved the flank of his battalion and rendered a steady withdrawal possible.’ Serbian Medal for Bravery in Gold London Gazette 15 February 1917. George Stringer was born in Manchester on 24 July 1889 and joined the Lancashire Fusilier Volunteers in 1905. Just prior to the Great War he attested for the Manchester Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War, initially on the Western Front from 21 July 1915, before proceeding to Mesopotamia in January 1916. For his gallantry during the Battle of Es Sinn on 8 March 1916, as part of he effort to relieve the besieged garrison at Kut-el-Amara, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Subsequently Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 19 October 1916) and awarded the Serbian Medal for Bravery in Gold, he was later wounded and developed enteric fever. He returned to the U.K. in June 1917 and was discharged a a result of his wounds. He died in Oldham on 22 November 1957. Stringer’s Victoria Cross and other medals are in the collection of the Museum of the Manchester Regiment. Sold with a Manchester Regiment cap badge, metal unit title, and a photographic image of the recipient. Regards, Gordon

Here is a photo of the cloth 1939 EK1 in my collection. In my experience cloth badges were usually finished on the back with a paper type backing such as is shown on my EK1. It would also appear to be very similar to the one shown attached to the leather flight jacket on this thread. I have sold most of my Iron Cross collection so I do not have a 1939 EK1 to show for comparison of size so I have used a 1914 EK11 instead. Regards, Gordon

Looking forward to an answer. A mind boggling task for sure. Regards, Gordon

Wow is all that I can say. You have posted enough material to occupy my entire day just reading. Thanks for taking all the time to post this very useful information. Regards, Gordon

Birkie94, Lots of forum members have posted very useful information here. Still hard to say of your star is real or not as better pictures are needed. Personally, I get a less than enthusiastic feeling when looking at the ribbon and the bar. That doesn't mean the star is bad but in my eyes it throws some doubt. Regards, Gordon

Nice thread. We don't see enough threads on the U.S. Merchant marine. Regards, Gordon

Thanks for your response. Good to know it was not a retouched photo. Regards, Gordon