Hugh

The light blue ribbon looks like the Guelphic Order (Hanover) and the black/red/black looks like Russia's St. Vladimir.

"Received at Tananarive the 19th August 1910." As we all doubtless know, it was the capital of Madagascar. Zut alors! H

For what it's worth, here's Wikipedia's take on southern Thailand. Looks like 1909. Quote The deep south belonged to the Malay sultanates of Pattani and Kedah, while the northernmost part of the peninsula was under direct control of Bangkok. During the thesaphiban reforms at the end of the 19th century, both Nakhon Si Thammarat as well as Pattani were finally incorporated into the central state. The area was subdivided into 5 monthon, which were installed to control the city states (mueang). Minor mueang were merged into larger ones, thus forming the present 14 provinces. With the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 the boundary to Malaysia was fixed. Kedah came under British control, while Pattani stayed with Siam. Unquote

Thanks, Mervyn, A different, but related question: I know that the southern three provinces of Thailand were taken from Malaysia / Malaya. Do you know when that happened? Best, Hugh

I'm writing a piece about the Malayan Emergency, and would be very glad to have any war stories from veterans of your experiences. If it turns into anything worthwhile, I'll post it here. I'll also post this in a couple of related fora to get better coverage. Many thanks for your help. Hugh

I'm writing a piece about the Malayan Emergency, and would be very glad to have any war stories from veterans of your experiences. If it turns into anything worthwhile, I'll post it here. I'll also post this in a couple of related fora to get better coverage. Many thanks for your help. Hugh

I'm writing a piece about the Malayan Emergency, and would be very glad to have any war stories from veterans of your experiences. If it turns into anything worthwhile, I'll post it here. I'll also post this in a couple of related fora to get better coverage. Many thanks for your help. Hugh

I used to fly with those young warrants in the O-1s now and then. They were 19 or 20 and I was over 30 and vividly aware of my mortality. They weren't, and that's how they flew. It was a long year. Fortunately, I wound up as a REMF at the end of the tour.

We had a few like that in the Navy as well. So, can you refer us to an alternate site where they may be posted? Maybe you should post a Youtube video! H

Looking forward to reading more about him. Hugh

Some of you may have seen this before. I picked it up in a street bazaar in Rawalpindi during the Soviet-Afghan unpleasantness. Best, Hugh

Sounds mighty familiar!

Worth quoting in full: Vitai Lampada ("They Pass On The Torch of Life") There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night -- Ten to make and the match to win -- A bumping pitch and a blinding light, An hour to play and the last man in. And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote -- 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' The sand of the desert is sodden red, -- Red with the wreck of a square that broke; -- The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead, And the regiment blind with dust and smoke. The river of death has brimmed his banks, And England's far, and Honour a name, But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks: 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' This is the word that year by year, While in her place the School is set, Every one of her sons must hear, And none that hears it dare forget. This they all with a joyful mind Bear through life like a torch in flame, And falling fling to the host behind -- 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938)

I first heard "The Band Played...' in a shop in Canberra, where my wife and I were vacationing. We had just come from visiting the magnificent Australian War Memorial. The song hit me like a two-by-four, and I had to have a copy. I don't play it often, but I choke up every time. Best, Hugh

Fabulous! I immediately sent it out to my favorite Marine. The Squid

In the same vein, And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda... The Band Played Waltzing Matilda Eric Bogle When I was a young man I carried me pack And I lived the free life of the rover From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback I waltzed my Matilda all over Then in 1915 my country said: Son, It's time to stop rambling, there's work to be done So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun And they sent me away to the war And the band played Waltzing Matilda When the ship pulled away from the quay And amid all the tears, flag waving and cheers We sailed off for Gallipoli It well I remember that terrible day When our blood stained the sand and the water And how in that hell they call Suvla Bay We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter Johnny Turk, he was ready, he primed himself well He rained us with bullets, and he showered us with shell And in five minutes flat, we were all blown to hell He nearly blew us back home to Australia And the band played Waltzing Matilda When we stopped to bury our slain Well we buried ours and the Turks buried theirs Then it started all over again Oh those that were living just tried to survive In that mad world of blood, death and fire And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive While around me the corpses piled higher Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over head And when I awoke in me hospital bed And saw what it had done, I wished I was dead I never knew there was worse things than dying Oh no more I'll go Waltzing Matilda All around the green bush far and near For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs No more waltzing Matilda for me They collected the wounded, the crippled, the maimed And they shipped us back home to Australia The armless, the legless, the blind and the insane Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla And when the ship pulled into Circular Quay I looked at the place where me legs used to be And thank Christ there was no one there waiting for me To grieve and to mourn and to pity And the Band played Waltzing Matilda When they carried us down the gangway Oh nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared Then they turned all their faces away Now every April I sit on my porch And I watch the parade pass before me I see my old comrades, how proudly they march Renewing their dreams of past glories I see the old men all tired, stiff and worn Those weary old heroes of a forgotten war And the young people ask "What are they marching for?" And I ask myself the same question And the band plays Waltzing Matilda And the old men still answer the call But year after year, their numbers get fewer Someday, no one will march there at all Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me? And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong So who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me? These lyrics may or may not be copyrighted!

It's hard to beat the WW I poets for a dark view of the horror. Wilfred Owen “Dulce Et Decorum Est” Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of disappointed shells that dropped behind. GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And floundering like a man in fire or lime.-- Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-- My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.

Anything written on the box?

Well, to state the obvious, Royal Marines. Can't read the legend on the reverse. What does it say?

This looks to be the same ribbon as used on the Italian Croce di Guerra. I'm sure one of our Italian members could help you. If not, perhaps the OMSA ribbon bank. Hugh

To get back to the original question: How common is the DSM to Soviet Army personnel? I don;t have any statistics, but as background, it is very unusual for the DSM to be awarded to junior personnel, US or foreign. I've never heard of it. It is much more typically awarded to general officers. Perhaps during WW II, the usage was different, but I'm doubtful. Are you convinced of the authenticity of the document / photo? Can you show us the rest of the document? Hugh

This should keep you busy. Hugh USS General J. C. Breckinridge (AP-176) - Wikipedia, the free ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_General_J._C._Breckinridge_(AP-176) USS General J. C. Breckinridge (AP-176) ... USS General J. C. Breckinridge, a General John Pope class troop transport, was built under Maritime Commission ... USS General JC Breckinridge (T-AP-176) - Transport (AP) www.navsource.org/archives/09/22/22176.htm Mar 30, 2012 – General J C Breckinridge, 76k, USS General J. C. Breckinridge (AP 176) moored pierside at Shanghai, China in 1946. H.C.Jordan QMS3/c YO- ... USS General J. C. Breckinridge Pictures www.picsearch.com/.../USS%20General%20J.%20C.%20Breckinridg... Results 1 - 30 of 3657 – Find your USS General J. C. Breckinridge pictures at ... Online Library of Selected Images: -- U.S. NAVY SHIPS -- USS General J.. C ... Photo #: NH 104038 USS General J.. C.. Breckinridge (T-AP-176 ... USS Breckinridge www.narimasu.net/memory/candid/breckenridge/index.htm Feb 15, 2006 – We went to Japan in July 1957 on the USS Breckenridge and, as teenagers ... Operated under the Coast Guard, General J. C. Breckinridge was ... United States Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Eleven www.mcb11.com/historybooksale/history_highlights2.htm 15 October 1959, Battalion departed the homeport onboard the USNS General James C. Breckenridge, T-AP 176, bound for Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. USS General J. C. Breckinridge (T-AP-176) | Facebook www.facebook.com/.../USS-General...C-Breckinridge.../2077779092... USS General J. C. Breckinridge (T-AP-176) is on Facebook. To connect with USS General J. C. Breckinridge (T-AP-176), sign up for Facebook today. USS General J C Breckinridge AP 176 August 19 1965 | eBay www.ebay.com › Buy 50 items – Find best value and selection for your USS General J C Breckinridge AP 176 August 19 1965 ... 4x6 Civil War Photo: CSA General John C. Breckinridge ... Lt. Gen. James C. Breckinridge - Marines.mil www.marines.mil/unit/tecom/mcu/grc/archives/Pages/papers2.aspx ABOUT JAMES C. BRECKINRIDGE. General Breckinridge was born September 13, 1877, in Memphis, Tennessee, and was appointed a Second Lieutenant in ... Images for usns general c. breckinridge - Report images

I just love these weapons! Artistic and mysterious, just like a new mistress!

I wonder if the item you have identified as a telescope (I think) might really be a naval gun. Either would be appropriate as they both need a great deal of care and feeding. Best, Hugh

Can't tell a thing from the picture, but it seems likely to me that it might be an India General Service Medal. These guys look too young for the Boer War.