saxcob

Back home: -as a customs officers - retirement doc - a lifetime on a sheet of paper -with wife - "Ordnung muss sein!"

In the POW camp of Kurume: -with the other guys from Schleswig-Holstein -Xmas 1917 - japanese docs - spending money (25 Yen, 20 Sen) for the journey back home - Red cross helps: a new suit

In Tsingtao: -promotion document -summer uniform -wife -kids -kids fraternising with the japanese enemy in 1914

Some data concerning his Navy career:

Friedrich („Fritz“) Hermann was born on 17 march 1868 in Lauenburg/Pomerania. From 1883 to 1899 he served in the Navy and left it as Deckoffizier (Torpeder). During the Boxer Rebellion he went to China where he became a civil servant („Marine-, Kasernen- und Lazarett-Oberinspektor, Kontrollführender Beamter und Vorstand der Kaiserlichen Garnisonsverwaltung Kiautschau“). He married (1900) and fathered three children. In 1914 he was taken prisoner and spent the next 6 years in Kurume (Japan). Back in Germany he worked as a customs officer as which he retired in 1933. On his medal bar we see: Prussia, Rettungsmedaille am Band Prussia, Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914 Weimar Republik, Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer Prussia, Dienstauszeichnungskreuz der Offiziere German Empire, China-Denkmünze für Nichtkämpfer 1901 Prussia, Zentenarmedaille (1897) Russian Empie, St-Stanislaus-Order, 3rd class Among Hermann's distinction are quite some interesting ones. He received both his iron cross (1920) and his 25 years cross (1922) at very late point in time due to being a POW before. In addition, we are well informed why he received his live saving medal. Last but not least he must be one of only few Germans to receive a Russian award in connection to the Russo-Japanese War.

I am unfortunately not aware of the circumstances in which he received the award. We can assume that it did not refer to specific merits but only to Goffinet's high position at the side of the Belgian king. Maybe there was a state visit in Belgium or Romania. Are you aware of such an occasion?

Group of Arnold Marc Gorter (1866-1933), Painter of the East-Netherlands Landscape http://dolphy.home.xs4all.nl/AMG/EnglishContents.html “The Queen of the Netherlands, Wilhelmina, took up painting round 1919 and wanted to invite a real landscapist as a tutor or as companion painter. Knowing Gorter from her yearly visits to the Arti-exhibitions and having bought one of his paintings already in 1913, she thought of him. In 1921 Gorter was invited to her countryside palace at Apeldoorn to paint the autumn colours together. The next year an invitation followed to accompany Wilhelmina and members of the court on a two-month cruise along Norway's coast, to go painting there.” His distinctions: Bavaria, Order of St. Michael http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Michael_(Bavaria) IV. class (2 March 1910) IV. class with crown (11 April 1914) Netherlands, Order of Orange-Nassau http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Orange-Nassau Officer (24 August 1928) Italy, Order of the Crown of Italy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Crown_of_Italy Officer (5 November 1912) Belgium, Order of the Crown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Crown_(Belgium) Knight (18 November 1912) The group contains all certificates.

Certificate for the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Romania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Crown_(Romania) for Baron Constant Goffinet http://nl.wikipedia....nstant_Goffinet signed by Carol I of Romania http://en.wikipedia....ol_I_of_Romania The portrait shows Goffinet with the star of the order; next to him is his twin brother Auguste.

Certificate for the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Romania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Crown_(Romania) for Baron Constant Goffinet http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant_Goffinet signed by Carol I of Romania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_I_of_Romania The portrait shows Goffinet with the star of the order; next to him is his twin brother Auguste.

The distinctions of this Sous-lieutenant of the 12th regiment look like: la médaille pour actes de courage, devouement et humanité (1847-1867) Iron Cross 1830 l'insigne de la société des blessés de septembre 1830 Is that correct?

Belgium, Order of Leopold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Leopold_(Belgium) Knight (1887) Officer (1899) Russia Order of St. Anna (1879) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Anna Belgium, Civic Decoration, 1st class (1894) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Decoration_(Belgium)

The Ukrainian colleagues show a Meybauer EK I with the same silver marks: http://reibert.info/threads/ek1-1914-paul-meybauer-berlin-klejmo-938.369907/

...there is a piece on the Polish Forum which seems to proove that it is in fact a Meybauer: http://www.wehrmacht-odlikovanja.com/forum/showthread.php?5406-Turkish-Gallipoli-star-proizvajalec-Meybauer The typical "938" mark also appears on the Iron Crosses 1st class of this maker.

You are absolutely right. There are a lot of different features. I just meant to demonstrate that the backs of these two pieces look quite similiar. I understand you do not have this specific variety in your book? Can I order it directly from you? Are there other members of the forum who have an opinion?

...those who are registered in the Geman forum (SDA) may find there a Godet piece with the ends of the rivets not beeing cut: http://h1797427.stratoserver.net/public_html/wbb3/board3-3/board5-deutsche-orden-ehrenzeichen-auszeichnungen-bis-1918/56781-türkischer-halbmond-von-godet/?highlight=halbmond+godet There seem to be quite a lot of varieties.

So this is an unknown maker? Does the case give a hint?

Attached are images of the - Komtur 2nd class awarded on the 25th March 1913 (by Bury, Hanau) and the - Komtur 1st class awarded after WWI (by Meybauer, Berlin) to Willy Tischbein (see http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/37362-who-is-grovater-tischbein/?hl=Tischbein). The order continued to be awarded until this was officially forbidden with decree of the 14th November 1935. The first class was only awarded 63 times after WWI.

Attached are images of the Turkish War Medal which Willy Tischbein was entitled to wear since the 12. August 1917( see http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/37362-who-is-grovater-tischbein/?hl=Tischbein). Is one of the gents aware of the (German) maker of this stamped silver version? Both Godet and Maybauer have been suggested. The two photgraphs seem to have been taken during meetings with the Turkish allies.

Today I received the awards of the gentlemen. It might take some time to sort it out. However, I would like to already give you a first impression of what there is among the items.

Thanks, Daniel. This is probably not an easy one. However, hope springs eternal.

Should someone have an Oldenburg House Order Knights Cross 2nd class with or without crown to sell or swap, please let me know.

The prussian medal was offered in a similair condition at a German auction recently but remained unsold (estimate: 60 Euros). An extremely fine piece made 230 GBP at a Baldwin's auction in 2010. Condition is essential! Note how Victoria kicks off the crown of Bohemias head!

The second one is a medal of the prussian king Frederick II. (the Great).

That would have been great indeed. However, it would at the same time also have disappointed the Sherlock in us...

Not yet, unfortunately. However, the combination of the House Order of Hohenzollern and the Landwehr Dienstauszeichnung 2nd class seems to be rare enough to leave some space for hope.