Hugh

RAL is correct about the silver star. In the '60's and '70's, multiple awards were relatively rare, but recently both the Commendation and the Achievement Medals seem to be awarded much more frequently. There has also been a proliferation of many new ribbons for various assignments such as deployments, training, etc. It has resulted in a remarkable assortment of fruit salad on the chests of relatively junior people with mostly routine duties.

Looks entirely probable that it is a puggaree flash or similar unit distinction. The orangish color could well have been red originally. Now all you need to do is find a chart showing different unit emblems. I've seen them in the past, but unfortunately can't give you a reference.

Many years ago in Inverness, I acquired this officer's levee dress sporran for the Seaforth Highlanders. I was told that the sporran dated "from the 1880's". The latest battle honor listed in the trophy on the cantle is "Kandahar 1880" The next battle honor would be "Afghanistan 1878-1880". My question is whether it dates before or after amalgamation of the two battalions (72 and 78th Highlanders) into the Seaforth Highlanders in 1881. My family's history is with the 78th. If it's from before, can you tell which battalion it is from? I've always thought that the six gold bullion tassels were particularly grand. Is there any significance to the number six? When I pulled it out of storage for a holiday event, I discovered serious corrosion on the left side of the lower silver part of the cantle (See img 5464) I've worked hard on it with Brasso and also with Met-All polish, but it's still not up to standard. Any thoughts? I've added a couple of pictures to show the back. You can see the pins fastening the insignia to the cantle base. In theory, I could remove them, lift off the silver insignia and polish it separately, as well as having better access to polish the brass part, but with something this old, I'm reluctant to do that. Hugh

The first item is similar to both the 103rd Aero Squadron and the 94 Pursuit squadron insignia (Lafayette Escadrille}, however, doesn't look like official US Army issue. More like a sweetheart pin. Don't recognize # 2 or 3, but # 3 is more like official issue US Army WW I insignia. Blackened, fastener on reverse.

Not a Norwegian speaker, but the legend looks like "For Peace and Freedom".

And just a final note on the aiguillette - Since he was ADC to the Viceroy, wearing it on the right side, as noted in the extract below, is completely correct, since the Viceroy is the Vice King, equivalent to a sovereign for India. Hugh

A lack of specific knowledge has never prevented me from diving in, so here goes. I question whether this is a regimental uniform. Reasons: 1. The shoulder cords don't appear to have any rank insignia. Perhaps he's wearing rank on his sleeves as during the early part of WW I? 2. The collar and breast embroidery don't appear to be regimental. If it were a regimental uniform, I'd expect an identifiable regimental emblem on the collar. I'd also expect the collar edge to have a wider gold lace, sometimes with identifiable regimental motif. 3. Maxwell initially served in the Sussex Regiment, then in various other regimental and staff assignments. He was attached to Roberts Light Horse when he won the VC, but that doesn't mean he was a member of Roberts. Wikipedia cites a number of units assigned. 4. He also served as Kitchener's aide-de-camp in South Africa and later in India. He's wearing the aigulette of an aide, although in the USA, wearing it on the right shoulder denotes an aide to the President. I had thought the UK followed the same practice, aide to the sovereign. This uniform could reflect that service. (A likely time to have such a photograph made) 5. Dates of award of the CSI and the bar to his DSO (not shown in this picture, awarded in 1916) could also narrow the date of the photo and hence the unit to which he was then assigned. I am sadly ignorant of the embroidery worn by Indian Army general officers. Now, let's see who's going to be the first to prove me wrong. Hugh

Linas, I know nothing about Prussian shakos, but if it's a fake, it seems to have been professionally aged. On the other hand, I was once in a market in Taiwan looking at antiques, and my Chinese friend observed, "Be careful, Hugh. When I was young, I made a lot of money making "antiques." Not much help, I know. H

Have just downloaded your magnificent article on the Second Republic. While I haven't had a chance to study it yet, it looks like the definitive source for these awards. Many thanks for making it available.

Relying on 60 year old memories, but I seem to remember that this is the Viet Cong flag. Quyet Thang means "Determined to Win". I'm guessing the 1968 might commemorate the Tet offensive. Best, Hugh

Thanks for that. H

"Baroness Lia van Heemstra" Is this the same family as the actress Audrey Hepburn?

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't see Kaffrarian Rifles listed under this bar in either the 4th or 6th edition of British Battles and Medals. Aside from British units, I see 1st NSW Mounted Rifles, Imperial Bushmen, 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th W. Australian Mounted Infantry, 3rd Tasmanian Contingent and 1st New Zealand Contingent. There's an interesting article on the unit at: https://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/south-african-units/348-kaffrarian-rifles H

Is it possible that the absence of orders on the bar is because the individual was awarded a higher level neck order or even Grand Cross, hence it doesn't appear on the bar? H

Wow! That's an impressive call from a very fuzzy photo. H