Shots Dave

Thanks for the interest Gordon. Your reply has highlighted a lack of clear explanation from me. The medals with the W prefix relating to the Women's Auxiliary Army Service belonged to the sister, I am afraid I do not have the medal entitlement to her brother who was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, War Medal and Africa Service Medal.

I saw the attached collection and thought at the time I might be able to finally get an example of a WW2 South African Plaque of Remembrance and also get an example of a W prefix Africa Service medal, which at the time I did not have. The fact they were brother and sister was a touching addition to the grouping, then there was the press cutting with a picture of the recipient and the letter of condolence to their mother from the King. Now as my main area is the medal collecting I failed to notice the significance of the circumstances of his death at Kisumu on 19/12/42. I searched the surname recently on a Facebook group and it revealed all the 12 names of the passengers and crew on board the flight. The passengers included Major General "Dan" Daniel Hermanus Pienaar and further investigation revealed that all 12 men were unusually repatriated to South Africa. Having spent most of my time searching for examples of different WW2 medals I am now beginning to greater appreciate being able to discover the men/women behind the medals where it is possible and South African medals being named is a great help.

Hi Guys I have just obtained this cap badge which I believe has the markings for J R Gaunt & Son and Birmingham 1944 . I can't see any similar cap badges with this style of pin attachment, is it authentic? Cheers Dave

Yes Owain, a far more plausible explanation. I did wonder how there were no random spots elsewhere on the cross, especially in recessed areas. Cheers Dave

Here is an example(with ribbon reversed) where the silvering has been almost completely removed, apart from the very top of the reverse.

Here is the first version of the medal

Maybe post the medal here and someone will assist you.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Royal_monograms_of_Belgium

Here are another couple of examples, sadly the miniature is not matching the numbered badge.

Above is the cross, here is the medal.

Awarded for heroism during wartime. Here are examples of the 3 classes-1st Class Gold, 2nd Class Silver and 3rd Class Bronze X2 in 3 different sizes with 3 different versions of crown.

Here is the third "Resistance" / Medal of the Patriots of the Interior / Underground Medal made by Sevadjian. An obvious difference from the English Mappin & Webb version shown earlier in the thread is that the Emperor has medals on his uniform and another is the style of lettering. After lots of searching I finally found this one, I just need the other 2 now !!

HI Emmanuel I mentioned France because the Luxembourg Order of the Resistance medal I have was made by Arthus Bertrand, so I wondered if they might have also made a version of the War Cross. Dave

Hi Emmanuel Wow, different makers from different countries in different eras? France, Belgium, England???? It will be interesting to see what information others may be able to provide. Dave

Hi Megan Are these images of the same cross? It appears the obverse is lacking the small cross on top of the ball connecting the ribbon ring, which is sometimes obstructed by the ribbon, but not it appears in this image. Your version also has a cut out crown similar to that of the Cross of the Order of Resistance, do you or anyone else know if this is the original version, as most images I can find appear without the cutout as the attached example. Cheers Dave

Hi Gordon Thanks, I did actually use Dewald, when he was finally able to gain access to the information. I did only recently post the actual commendation details on Tuesday, you must have missed it, or maybe I didn't make it clear enough(apologies). I should have maybe mentioned my award was to a F/Sgt in the SAWAAF. Stay safe Dave

The commendation to the SAWAAF read: "This N.C.O. has rendered very valuable and faithful service during a very difficult period and has at all times carried out her duties with tact, energy and cheerfulness."

Czechoslovak Military Medal of Merit(Československá vojenská medaile za zásluhy) Continuing on from the earlier posting, here are some comparisons of what I believe to be the silver 1st Class English & Czech versions (English on the left in the first 2 images but on the right on the 3rd). They are easily distinguishable when seen together, the other characteristic which I personally use is the "V" over the C in C.S.R. but it is only an observation I have made not that I have had confirmed anywhere else.

Hi Gents I have recently acquired this Nepalese Assam-Burma Medal which I believe was awarded for WW2 service in this theatre of war. I can find very little information on this award and have seen examples presented with both sides of the medal treated as the obverse. I think the ribbon on this example may be back to front as it would make sense to me that the side with the Kukri is the actual obverse, as the bravery medal issued in the same time also has the same image of the Nepalese flag on one side. Any information anyone can share would be much appreciated. Cheers Dave

I did place a question mark due to my uncertainty, but that is in fact where I bought it from and the ribbon is from the Belgian 1940-1945 Colonial War Effort medal. I think some of the Belgian Association medals do appear to use other official ribbons, unless people have just added them themselves? With the initials which I presume relate to the Organisation that presented the medal, it doesn't appear dis-similar to other Belgian Association medals.I am more than happy to be proved wrong though.

Hi Gents I have recently seen this medal and wondered if anyone could shed any light on its origins please? Cheers Dave

Hi Peter, I don't have any details currently about this specific award, but when lockdown is over I will endeavour to find out what I can about the recipient and hopefully what they received the Commendation for.

Here is the Africa Service Medal with a bronze King Protea flower emblem representing a King's Commendation which is equal to a mention in despatches but awarded for services away from the battlefield.

I was going to say I hadn't come across that combination and ask for an image, but Marcon1 appears to have answered correctly in relation to the opening image that they are his initials. The prefix I have mentioned would come in front of the number eg F123456 would be awarded to someone in SAWAAF

Here is the reverse of the Commander version of the Philippine Legion of Honor which has writing within the gilding which I wasn't able to post before.