Gordon Craig

Quovadisuk, The Dr. probably in means that P. Effiong was a driver in 3 Nigerian Marine. I am not familiar with the Nigerian armed forces so how to trace this person is not something that I can help with for sure. You could try emailing the Nigerian Embassy and ask for their assistance in finding out what what 3 Nigerian Marine was. You could try https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ for the same information but you would probably need to hire a researcher to trace this individual for you. I don't find the UK Archive that easy to navigate. Here is all that I could find on line re 3 Nigerian Marine. Regards, Gordon History[edit] The Nigerian Navy owes its origin to the Nigerian Marine. Formed in 1914 after the amalgamation of the then Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Nigerian Marine, as it became known after 1914, was a quasi-military organization. This force expanded to become the Southern Nigerian Marine in 1893. A Northern Nigeria equivalent was formed in 1900. The two Marines were merged in 1914. Responsibilities included administration of the ports and harbours, dredging of channels, buoyage and lighting. It also operated ferry services, touring launches, and other small craft that plied the various creeks and other inland waterways.[1]

Quovadusuk, The medal you mentioned above is a Victory medal for WWI. Specifically, this one issued by the UK. The question above asked if it was named. The name should be on the edge of the medal. The name might tell you if the Victory medals belonged to a member of your family. The other medals on the bar were all issued for WWII service. If you compare the ribbons on the medals to the ribbon colours on the ribbon bar you will see that they match but that there is no matching medal for one of the ribbons on the ribbon bar. The missing medal is the Defence medal. If the owner of the ribbon bar served in WWI the ribbon for the Victory medal should also be shown on the ribbon bar and it isn't so they probably don't belong to the same person. WWII medals were not named. Please see the attached picture as an example. Regards, Gordon

Stojan, The markings can not be read in the photos you sent. Perhaps if you were able to tell us what the markings are we could help. Regards, Gordon

jaobr, Interesting cap. The cap badge doesn't seem to be in the correct place. Too far forward but I am not an expert on these caps as worn by the Helleinic Air Force. The badge appears to be correct. I wore one of these caps for years in the RCAF and the badge is usually further from the front. The same as in the RAF. See attached pictures. I would be interested in seeing a picture of the buttons. Regards, Gordon

Graf, Nice pictures of the badge. On my list of things to add to my collection. Too bad they aren't named although I've seen a few for sale with provenance. Thanks showing them and for your comments. Blessings, Gordon

Great Dane, Thanks for your comments. I did miss the dates on the QSA. I am not familiar with this particular medal. Regards, Gordon

Definitely a fake. And a very poor one at that. Here is a real one for comparison along with a Kimberly Star. Regards, Gordon

Mike, Too bad you missed reuniting the two. Regards, Gordon

Mike, Be interesting to know who the successful bidder was. I followed this auction but decided not to bid. Too many other interesting items coming up. Never enough money for it all! Regards, Gordon

Thanks for the explanation on the sister. I was curious about mention of her. Good luck in collecting all of the letter prefixes on these medals. There are certainly a lot of them! If you wish to do some further research on this group I have used dewald@nelantiques.co.za successfully on WWII and Boer War groups in my collection. Regards, Gordon

Interesting group. I don't remember seeing a plaque with the medals before. I nice group to have. Regards, Gordon

Jurgen, The picture is so small I an not tell what I am looking at. You should post Hungarian items in the eastern and Central European sub forum to get a better answer. Regards, Gordon

Hi, If you enter UDF CAMP CULLINAN you will be able to find some info on Camp Cullinan such as the url below. Regards, Gordon http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol141jl.html

love4history, I can not translate the document for you but there is a possibility that this woman either served with the Belgian Red Cross in hospitals in Serbia during WWI or worked with a Belgian organization to help support Serbia during the war. Regards, Gordon

chechaco 1, I have used google translate to turn your post into English so that some comments can be made to your post. Welcome to the forum ваше сообщение на английский язык, чтобы к нему можно было добавить несколько релевантных комментариев. Добро пожаловать на форум. The 17th Division was one of the most mixed divisions of the German army, formed by merging the contingents of Hanseatic cities with the contingents of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg. The 33rd Infantry Brigade of the division consisted of contingents from Hamburg and Bremen (and until the formation of the 162nd Infantry Regiment in 1897 - the Lubeck Regiment). The 34th Infantry Brigade of the division (Grand Duke of Mecklenburg) consisted of the infantry contingents of the Great Principalities of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Divisional Cavalry Brigade was the 17th (Grand Duke of Mecklenburg) Cavalry Brigade with two Dragoon regiments from Mecklenburg-Schwerin and at various times in its history attached to the Prussian cavalry. The 17th Artillery Brigade consisted of a regiment from Holstein and a regiment from the two great principalities of Mecklenburg. No. 34. Infantry brigade.  Mecklenburg Grenadier Regiment No. 89 (1668 people (in 1914), 204 killed in the Franco-Prussian War)  Mecklenburg Fuselian Regiment No. 90 (1694 people in 1870, 300 dead) 10/01/1867  Mecklenburgisches Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 14 (794 people in 1870, 66 dead) cavalry brigade:  1. Mecklenburgisches Dragon-Regiment Nr. 17 (655 people in 1870, 25 dead)  2. Mecklenburgisches Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 18 (634 in 1870, 27 dead) Mecklenburgisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 60 (four batteries of 200 people each). In total, through complex arithmetic calculations, we find out that 5650 soldiers from Mecklenburg survived. How many awards were there? Science does not know this, science is not yet aware of the situation. If absolutely everyone was awarded, then 5650 crosses of both classes. Well, if, by analogy with the Prussian Iron Cross of 1870, the German army received 47,600 crosses for one and a half million, this is every 30th. Well, then the crosses were made there. Divide 5650 by 30, and we get 188 Mecklenburg crosses of both classes with the date 1870. That is, they made no more than one cross, but hardly more than five and a half thousand. For example, the Mecklenburg-Strelitz crosses were awarded on the battle ribbon in total 269. However, the Mecklenburg-Strelitz crosses were much less common than the Mecklenburg-Schwerin crosses in the First World War. So, maybe the proportion is the same here. What I don't know.

Jannis, Very kind of you to offer to scan the book for me. I would be grateful for scanned copy of the book whenever you can find the time. Regards, Gordon

Jannis, Interesting variations from Italy. Thanks for posting them. Regards, Gordon

Jannis, Glad to hear that you have found a book that describes these awards. Would you please tell me the title of the book and where I could buy a copy. Perhaps I did not explain myself when I asked about the two awards pictured above. While they are the same shape they are not the same award. The painting in the medallion is different and one has the Jerusalem Cross in the arms while the other has two crowns and two double headed eagles. The cross with the crowns appears to be the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders. What is the other cross with the Jerusalem cross in the four arms? Regards, Gordon

Johannis, A question. I've posted two pictures from the emedals site. One clearly belongs to the Jerusalem Order. The other seems to be related to the Orthodox church in Greece. Perhaps you could explain the one that appears to be connected to the Orthodox church in Geece for me? Regards, Gordon

Jannis, Good luck in your search. I hope that you get an answer from Jerusalem. If you are still trying to add to your collection in this Order and have not looked at emedals I would suggest it as one source. Regards, Gordon https://www.emedals.com/an-order-of-the-orthodox-crusaders-of-the-patriarchy-of-jerusalem-grand-cross

Jannis, Thanks for the additional information. Your assumption that the older crosses did not have laurels and newer ones did seems reasonable. It would also seem that the medallion was also added at a later date. I found the following on a page in the Library of John F. Kennedy. It is interesting to note who bestowed this Knights Cross on Jackie Kennedy. Perhaps contacting the office in Jerusalem might help you resolve your question. https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKSG/JFKSG-MO-1963-1711-2c/JFKSG-MO-1963-1711-2c Regards, Gordon About Museum Artifact Accession Number: MO 63.1711.2c Collection: Gifts from Heads of State Title: Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Maker: Maker unknown Medium: Gold, enamel, textile Dimensions: 3 3/4" x 1 5/8" Description: Gold and black enamel Latin crowned cross surrounded by green enamel laurel wreath. The cross hangs as a pendant from a red ribbon. The cross grants membership for Mrs. John F. Kennedy into, and is the symbol of rank of Knight Grand Cross in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Historical Note: This award was bestowed upon First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by His Beatitude Benedictos I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the White House on October 6, 1961. Knight Grand Cross is one of the five classes of rank bestowed by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Membership in the Order is reserved solely for practicing Roman Catholics. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem can trace its origins to Godfrey de Bouillon of the first Crusade, who gathered around him a group of knights who were entrusted with the protection of the religious Chapter of Canons who were present at the Holy Sepulchre of Christ. For twenty years, these knights, and those who came to join their number, protected the Christian presence at the Holy Sepulchre, taking as their banner the red Jerusalem cross popularized by the crusading knights. Rights Copyright Status: Donated to the United States Digital Identifier: JFKSG-MO-1963-1711-2c Gifter: His Beatitude Benedictos I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Related Records: Presentation Chest for the Grand Cross Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Star Presentation Chest for the Grand Cross Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Star Archival Creator: National Archives and Records Administration. Office of Presidential Libraries. John F. Kennedy Library. (04/01/1985- )

Johannis, An interesting question. I would be interested in knowing the answer as well. Since you are in Greece have you enquire of the Orthodox church about this simple cross in relationship to the one with Laurels? Sorry for the question but I had to ask. I've posted a picture of the cross with laurels for comparison. Regards, Gordon

Duncan, It takes some expertise in using a UV-Light when trying to date/authenticate medal ribbons. Or uniforms for that matter. Different results will be encountered depending on the age/period of the ribbon. Imperial, Third Reich or country. There are a number of styles of UV-Lights and they may give different results as well. Also, the purpose that the UV-Light was designed for. Here is a link to a site that discusses some UV-Lights. https://uvcanada.ca/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0oCDBhCPARIsAII3C_G4l6M_knQpPwEIcYR0gg9Ls08kPI-k5YTPsxf0Qkx0zm1hrH_ifrUaAjA9EALw_wcB Before buying a UV-Light I would suggest some research on these devices and talking to someone who uses one on a regular basis. I use a fluorescent fixture with an 18 inch T8 bulb rated at 15 watts. It suits my purposes but I have never compared it to other UV-lights someone uses for the same purpose. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I'd like to add a small comment here about Third Reich materials and their reaction to a UV-Light. About mid war more synthetic materials were used in cloth used in ribbon material and some other applications. This has led to a lot of confusion as to the accuracy of using a UV-Light to "date" a specific artifact. The solution seems to be a lot of experience in using a UV-Light on materials from many eras. Regards, Gordon

ThaiDave, Great website and an excellent reference. Thanks for posting the link to your site. Regards, Gordon