Hugh

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

Some one more knowledgeable may be able to tell something from the sporrans and hose tops. There were some differences among regiments. H

Sorry, can't see any pictures. H

Of course we know of the Hong Kong and Messina plague medals. Seems like a reasonable idea for those who serve in the front lines. Certainly more deserved than some of the medals I got for breathing in the right part of the world. H

I have a couple of books which would provide better detail, but unfortunately they are AWOL. However, from memory: A career Navy enlisted, probably a relatively senior petty officer. Entered service before Pearl Harbor (7 Dec. 1941) At least 16 years, probably 24 years of good conduct. If the latter, he would probably have rated wearing gold rank insignia and service stripes based on his good conduct. (Can't remember how many years for eligibility) No evidence of service in World War I or Korea, nor in the several Caribbean campaigns between the wars. During WW II, served in home waters and in the European theaters. (Europe, Mid East, Africa) No evidence of participation in amphibious landings. No individual decorations Now I need to find those damn books and fill in the missing parts! Hugh

May be a heliograph, a signalling device using reflected sunlight to signal using Morse code. Hugh