Gordon Craig

No one, Interesting thread. I've rotated her picture so that the caption is easier to read. There are many pictures of her on line but I could not find any information about what happened to her after North Vietnam took control of South Vietnam. Do you know? Regards, Gordon

Duncan, Your welcome. Regards, Gordon

Duncan, I don't collect pins for the Canadian Veterans organizations that existed in Canada following the first world war but I would like to try and help. The links below might be of some use to you. The last one, from the Canadian War Museum, indicates that the pins you posted, or ones like them, would have existed from 1919 until 1938. http://forposterityssake.ca/RCN-DOCS/RCND0025.pdf https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/wwi/catalog/1-4094 https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/archive/3134875 Regards, Gordon

Emmanuael and Owain, Thank you for your views in the book on Princely Medals. re Emmanuels question about a reprint of the book in India. That is a possibility. When I live in New Delhi some time ago there were many pirated copies of books for sale in the local markets. Regards, Gordon

Greg, Nice set of medals. Thanks for posting the pictures. Regards, Gordon

Philip, Why cases change is anyone guess. As for Vatera, I wasn't suggesting that you buy there just that it was a good reference since there are not many books on the era you are interested in. Regards, Gordon

Philip, For me reference books, one is written by Hunyadi and the other by Cimbinius. Plus I have others that I can not name off hand as I said above they are in storage and not accessible. They would probably not be available in North America anyway. An inexpensive reference in vatera https://www.vatera.hu/gyujtemeny/militaria/index-c2911.html A site that I have mentioned to you before. It is easily translated while you are browsing it. Regards, Gordon Philip, Just noticed that I answered two months after you posted your questions. Sorry about that. Re the latch. Don't know for for sure but the deletion of the latch could be related to a shortage of funds. You can chart this sort of thing through all of the countries under Soviet influence through the 60s, 70, and 80s. Cases became cheaper to make as did badges and medals. Regards, Gordon

Anand, Thanks for your comments on Indian Princely Medals. I've considered buying several times but didn't because I had never actually handled a copy. I'll take your advice. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Thank for the information on the box and the medal. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Thanks for letting me know what the characters on the box translate to. So I am halfway there. I imagine if either of you recognized the medal that you would have commented? Would it be possible for one of you to tell me what the characters on the medal translate to in English? That would answer my second half of the question. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I acquired two copies of the same medal, in a wooden box, and I have not been able to identify these medals so I seeking assistance in doing that. Two questions; 1-please identify the medals and let me know what the Japanese characters say in English; 2-Are they in the correct box? What do the characters on the box mean? If they are not in the correct box, what should be in this box? Regards, Gordon

Chris, Excellent article on this medal. Thanks very much for posting it. Regards, Gordon

SteveBobby, Great report on the ribbon bar. I always struggle with these. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, New medals to me and very interesting. Thanks for posting pictures of them. Regards, Gordon

Terry, There is a considerable amount of information on the web about VADs in Canada. Especially in WWI. Here is an article from the Parks Canada web site that covers the subject well in relatively few words. Regards, Gordon Voluntary Aid Detachments From: Parks Canada Backgrounder Although unable to enlist, over 2,000 Canadian women volunteered and found a way to serve their country during the Great War and during two national emergencies at home -- the Halifax Explosion and the deadly Spanish Flu pandemic. Organized by the Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance, Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD) worked as nurses’ aides, ambulance drivers, and clerical staff at convalescent hospitals in Canada and at some hospitals overseas. They assisted overworked medical and nursing staff in caring for thousands of injured and sick servicemen, some facing the same dangers and hardships as soldiers, nurses, and doctors working near the front lines. Voluntary Aid Detachments first emerged in 1914 as Canada’s Militia Department made preparations at home, in anticipation of war in Europe. They were initially intended to create an emergency reserve of trained men and women who would support military medical services in case of invasion on Canadian soil. Later, following the outbreak of the First World War, the VAD program developed into a female volunteer nursing corps, as male recruits were quickly drawn into the armed forces. Canadian VAD units were modelled on a British system established in 1909, intended to supplement existing army nursing reserves. These reserves consisted of both professional nurses and civilian volunteers trained in first aid. While the British program utilized some 23,000 VAD nurses during the Great War, the Canadian program was more modest. Still, the number of women who enrolled as Canadian VAD members was considerable -- by the war’s end, some 2,000 had trained and qualified as VAD nurses. While the majority were limited to working in military convalescent hospitals on the home front, an estimated 500 Canadian VAD members served in British military hospitals overseas. The first Canadian Voluntary Aid Detachments were formed in Halifax, Québec City, and Saint John, because these ports were expected to be the first to receive wounded soldiers returning from overseas. These were later followed by units in Montreal, Ottawa, and Victoria. Initially, VAD members engaged in non-nursing activities distributing comforts such as chocolate bars and cigarettes to departing troops and wishing them a safe return home. As the war progressed, however, they helped to prepare, open, and staff military convalescent hospitals. This role became particularly important as increasing numbers of sick and wounded soldiers returned to Canada in early 1915. Many VADs were anxious to go overseas where the need was greatest, but it was not until September 1916 that the first contingent of Canadian VAD members left in response to a request from the British Red Cross. Although the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) refused to use voluntary nurses in its overseas hospitals, VAD nurses were welcomed into British military hospitals. Overall, St. John Ambulance in Canada supplied more than 360 volunteers for overseas postings, while many other Canadian VAD members financed their own passages to England and applied directly to British VAD headquarters in London. Working in the British military medical establishment, Canadian VAD nurses served as probationers (trainees) who were supervised by professional nurses. As was the case in Canadian convalescent hospitals at home, they assisted with various nursing tasks, such as making beds, preparing diets for invalids, and ensuring the overall comfort of soldiers. In some instances, VAD work approached that of trained nurses, as volunteers changed surgical dressings and performed night duty in charge of wards. Like the military nurses under whom they served, Canadian VAD members posted in France, and more distant battle zones were exposed to frontline dangers and hardships. A number of volunteers were recognized for their bravery during enemy attacks. Both at home and in overseas operations, VAD work varied greatly depending on the location and hospital type. Detachment members performed any number of tasks, working as nurses’ aides, ambulance drivers, clerical staff, and in any other auxiliary capacity required of them during the war. VAD nurses also demonstrated their training and skill in the aftermath of the Halifax explosion in December 1917 and during the “Spanish” influenza pandemic of 1918. They provided crucial medical and nursing assistance during these two national crises. Canadian VAD nurses served for the duration of the Great War and beyond, helping to care for convalescent soldiers well after the Armistice in 1918, and were officially demobilized in October 1920.

Without a picture it is very difficult to respond to your request. Regards, Gordon

No One, Thanks for posting this extremely interesting story of the man and his medals. Well beyond the financial reach of many of us of great use to those of us interested in Japanese and Arctic medals. Regards, Gordon

Michael, Here is a link to the Belgian POW escapee medal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapees'_Cross_1940–1945#:~:text=The Escapees' Cross 1940–1945,government in exile in London. Regards, Gordon

In ribbon bars like this, it probably belonged to a General Officer originally, the individual made their own decision as to what ribbons would be included in the bar. The General officer involved would have had many other awards, including long service ones, but as I said above, it was his choice as to what he wore. Rarely were all the persons complete awards displayed. Regards, Gordon

Bill, Thanks for your response. I had read somewhere that because the original issue was for a ribbon and that the medals was introduced at a later date that only the ribbon was authorized for wear by U S forces. Thanks for confirming that. Interesting that you had to purchase your own ribbon. I have seen these ribbons in wear by those who served during the invasion and those who stayed behind to fight afterwards. The difference being that those who actually fought during the invasion wore a small bronze star on the ribbon. Thanks again for your help. Regards, Gordon

Farkas, Your assumptions are correct. They are either all fakes/repros or just plain fantasy badges. To compare the numbered badges look at this site. https://www.medalbook.com/germany-third-reich-1933-1945/badges/n-s-d-a-p-golden-party-badge/nsdap-golden-party-badge-large-version-1 . I am not an expert but the badge on this site appears to be authentic. You should do some research on the correct lettering on these badges. The book published on these badges is long out of print and worth its weight in gold if you could find one and afford the price. There are some collectors on WAF that know these badges very well. Regards, Gordon

Looking for some assistance in identifying the pictured medal. I would also like to know if it is the correct box. If it isn't in the correct box what is this box for. Regards, Gordon

Farcas, There should not be M numbers on the items that have them. They were not NSDAP items and therefore did not fall under the regulations covering the sale of Party insignia etc. The Kyffhauser cap badge appears to be authentic. Regards, Gordon

The following response was posted by Antonio on the WAF. I have translated it to English. PERMANENCE IN THE LEGION To see the enlarged emblems, click on the image To see a larger picture of a particular badge please click on it Royal circular order of November 26, 1923, order of May 6, 1938 and order 371/7812/81 of June 3 Description of the badge It will consist of the emblem of the Legion, 55 millimeters high, embroidered in gold, which will be worn on the right side of the chest. At the bottom, five millimeters apart and spaced four millimeters apart, as many red bars, two millimeters thick and the width of the emblem, will be added as many full years have remained in said bodies. For every five years, as many red bars will be replaced by one embroidered in gold, five millimeters thick, placed in the place of the first. Conditions for use 1st. One year of permanence and 20 acts of arms. 2nd. Two years of permanence and 10 acts of weapons. 3rd. Three years of permanence and five acts of arms. 4th. Being injured, becoming useless or disabled. 5th. One year of stay and injured in an armed incident. 6th. Being injured in two armed incidents. 7th. Three years of permanence. For these purposes, those in which the force that commanded during the action who aspires to the distinction has suffered casualties will be considered as acts of arms (...) 1.—The insignia of the Legion will be granted by application of any of the previous sections. 2.—There will be the right to add bars to the insignia of the Legion, regardless of the section for which application they have been granted. 3.—Notwithstanding the above, the bars whose addition is granted to badges granted by application of section 7 will be, by exception, black, and every five black bars granted must be replaced by a silver one, which may be replaced for those of red and gold if any of the other conditions are met after the granting. 6 years of permanence (sections 1 to 6) 7 years of permanence (6 years sections 1st to 6th + 1 year section 7th) 12 years of permanence (6 years sections 1st to 6th + 6 years section 7th) 5 years of permanence (section 7)

Chris, Interesting picture and very useful answer from Antonio. I am going to past an English translation here of Antonio's link. Regards, Gordon Royal circular order of November 26, 1923, order of May 6, 1938 and order 371/7812/81 of June 3 Description of the badge It will consist of the emblem of the Legion, 55 millimeters high, embroidered in gold, which will be worn on the right side of the chest. At the bottom, five millimeters apart and spaced four millimeters apart, as many red bars, two millimeters thick and the width of the emblem, will be added as many full years have remained in said bodies. For every five years, as many red bars will be replaced by one embroidered in gold, five millimeters thick, placed in the place of the first. Conditions for use 1st. One year of permanence and 20 acts of arms. 2nd. Two years of permanence and 10 acts of weapons. 3rd. Three years of permanence and five acts of arms. 4th. Being injured, becoming useless or disabled. 5th. One year of stay and injured in an armed incident. 6th. Being injured in two armed incidents. 7th. Three years of permanence. For these purposes, those in which the force that commanded during the action who aspires to the distinction has suffered casualties will be considered as acts of arms (...) 1.—The insignia of the Legion will be granted by application of any of the previous sections. 2.—There will be the right to add bars to the insignia of the Legion, regardless of the section for which application they have been granted. 3.—Notwithstanding the above, the bars whose addition is granted to badges granted by application of section 7 will be, by exception, black, and every five black bars granted must be replaced by a silver one, which may be replaced for those of red and gold if any of the other conditions are met after the granting. 6 years of permanence (sections 1 to 6) 7 years of permanence (6 years sections 1st to 6th + 1 year section 7th) 12 years of permanence (6 years sections 1st to 6th + 6 years section 7th) 5 years of permanence (section 7)