JPL

Just came across this interesting article: Public Servants from Canada working alongside Canadian Forces in Afghanistan are concerned that they are no longer eligible for military medals despite civilian police officers and some private sector contractors receiving them. The PS staff were eligible for the military’s General Service Medal when the mission began in 2002 as they worked under the authority of the Canadian Forces. But several months ago Afghanistan Task Force officials said they no longer qualified because they did not work for the military. Here is a link to the complete article: http://www.psnews.com.au/worldpsn2482.html Jean-Paul

Just came across this new item which seems to indicate that the British government may institute an Arctic Convoy Medal: Here is the link to the article: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canadian+sailors+finally+medals+Second+World+service/4117063/story.html Jean-Paul

Mervyn, According to my copy of "No Insignificant Part - The Rhodesia Native Regiment and the East Africa Campaign of the First World War" by Timothy J. Stapleton: "In 1925, King George V granted the battle honours of "East Africa 1916-1918" to First RNR and 'East Africa 1917-1918" to Second RNR, despite the fact that the regiment had been disbanded several years before. The regimental colours of First RNR were laid up in Salisbury Anglican Cathedral and those of Second RNR, which had never really operated as a separate battalion, were placed in a Bulawayo "Native Church." These artifacts were forgotten about and neglected for decades, Years later, in the early 1960s, the First RNR regimental colour was discovered to have nearly disintegrated in its plastic case. In the early 1970s, the old Second RNR colour was found in a church cupboard. The reference given for the last statement is: NAZ, S3021/3/1/2, Papers of Colonel G.E. Wells, Memo, Salisbury, March 1962, Colonel G.E. Wells, President of Rhodesian African Rifles Association; Dean of Salisbury Cathedral to Lieutenant Colonel N.G. Jardine, 4 December 1964; Notes on Regimental Customs (RAR) 1974. NAZ refers to the National Archives of Zimbabwe So it appears that these could be the colours of the Second RNR. Hope this helps. Jean-Paul

Hi Hugh, Here is a link to an image of the Star of Military Valour showing the ribbon: http://www.jeanpaulleblanc.com/CanadaSMV.jpg The ribbon has a bar denoting a second award. Jean-Paul

Just came across this interesting article on the awarding of the Sri Lanka North and East Humanitarian Operations Medal to the Navy. According to the article, the medal was awarded to all armed forces, police and other persons who had contributed their services towards the successful completion of the Humanitarian Operations to liberate the North and East from the clutches of terror during the period 26 February 2007 to 18 May 2009. Read the complete article with pictures: http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=2731 Here is a link to an image of the medal: http://www.navy.lk/assets/images/news/security_news/2010/december/2010_12_14/2.jpg Jean-Paul

Hi Bob, Thanks for the information. Jean-Paul

Hi Bob, Nice medal. Thanks for sharing. As a ribbon collector, I'm interested in knowing the width of the ribbon suspending the medal. Thanks Jean-Paul

Hi, I had a look at my reference material and you're right in that this is the wrong ribbon. To me, the ribbon looks too clean for the age of the bar. The ribbon being used is quite close to that of the Order of Military Merit from Brazil. Jean-Paul

Just came across this article. A one-of-a-kind piece of royal memorabilia with a significant Canadian connection — the medal worn by King Edward VIII at the 1936 unveiling of Canada's Vimy Memorial in France — has been acquired by the Canadian War Museum at an auction in Britain. The medal, expected to sell for less than $5,000, was purchased by the Ottawa museum — with help from the Montreal-based Vimy Foundation — for about $20,000 after the bidding finally stopped Tuesday at Sotheby's auction house in London. "The Vimy medallion worn by Edward VIII is symbolic of the king's admiration and respect for Canada's great achievement and sacrifice at Vimy Ridge," said the museum's director general Mark O'Neill. "It is a direct link to the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, a tribute to all who served their country in battle in that four-year struggle and particularly to those who gave their lives." Read the complete article: http://www.canada.com/travel/Canada+wins+bidding+royal+medal+with+ties+Vimy+Ridge/3907787/story.html Jean-Paul

Nice to see such a great medal group from Kenya. The UN medal appears to be UNPROFOR, and I noticed that Kenya was part of that mission: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/sites/medals/unprofor.htm Jean-Paul

Hi Antonio, Thank you so much for this excellent link. Jean-Paul

Kevin, Try these links from Antonio Prieto's great website on ribbons: http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/africa/zimbabwe1.gif http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/africa/zimbabwe2.gif Hope this does the trick. Jean-Paul

Well done Chris. Looks like you hit a home run... Pays to do your homework before you bid. Just in case you don't have the actual information on the MID and Croix de Guerre, here is an extract from the excellent CD "Courage & Service" by John Blatherwick and Hugh Halliday. MORRIS, William James, Private (H.19122) - Mention in Despatches - Infantry (Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and prisoner of war) - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 9 February 1946 and CARO/6377 dated 11 February 1946, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe." When the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada was ordered to withdraw to the beach during the Dieppe raid, 19 August 1942, Private Morris showed great initiative in manning the Boys anti-tank rifle under heavy machine gun and mortar fire. He engaged an enemy pill box which was causing heavy casualties to the battalion, this pill box having been by-passed on the initial assault earlier in the day. Changing his position repeatedly while fighting a single-handed duel with this post, Private Morris worked his way close enough to destroy it and allow the evacuation to continue. His conduct during the entire day's fighting was exemplary. He was later taken prisoner while giving covering fire and enabling his wounded comrades to be evacuated on the last craft to leave the French coast. MORRIS, William James, Private (H.19122) - Croix de Guerre avec Etoile de Bronze (France) - Infantry (Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada) - awarded as per CARO/6854 dated 25 November 1946. For exceptional war service at Dieppe in August 1942 when he destroyed a pill box which was causing heavy casualties to his battalion. Jean-Paul

According to Werlich, this is the Order of the Sun of Peru (La Orden El Sol Del Peru). Created by General Jose de San Martin (liberator of Chile and Peru) on October 8, `81` as a reward to those individuals who aided him in his campaign. This Order is now awarded for military and civil merit and can be bestowed on foreigners. Comes in 5 classes. Hope this helps. Jean-Paul

Yes, this is the Order of the Star of Anjouan (Ordre de l'Etoile d'Anjouan). This order was founded by Sultan Said Abdullah in 1874 and reorganized by Sultan Mohammed Said Omar in 1892. The Comoro Islands are a small archipelago off the south east coast of Africa, northwest of Madagascar. These islands became a French Protectorate in 1886 and the Order became a French Colonial Order on the 12th of September 1896. It had the same fives classes as the French Legion of Honor and was awarded for a wide variety of services. It was discontinued December 3, 1963. Before being taken over by the French, the ribbon for this order was red with orange stripes toward each side. (Ref: Werlich) Hope this helps. Jean-Paul

Just came across this news article on this subject. I'm sure that this will spark a lot of debate. There is also a video to view on the website. http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/lying-about-military-honors-not-a-crime Jean-Paul

This link should keep members busy for some time... http://www.jeanpaulleblanc.com/Reference.htm Jean-Paul

Hi Frank, Thanks for the picture of this new medal. Yes, It'll be interesting to see which countries allow their troops to wear this medal. Jean-Paul

Hi Lukasz, I know that some of the States had Naval Militia components, for example New York State. Perhaps this a State Naval Reserve LS medal. Jean-Paul

According to Andre Borne, in his book "Distinctions Honorifiques de la Belgique", the inscription on this medal should be VOLONTARIIS. He does note that there is a variant with the inscription VOLUNTARIIS. Hope this helps. Jean-Paul

Thank you so much for this information. Jean-Paul

Also try this website: http://www.medal-medaille.com/ Jean-Paul

Hi Rob, Nice DSC ribbon bar group. It's interesting to note that the UN Korea Service Medal ribbon is of US manufacture - note the corded edges on the ribbon. Jean-Paul

A good reference on this topic is "Revised Comprehensive List of WW1 Service Medals issued by States, Counties, Cities & Towns" by Louis W. Small. Jean-Paul

Appears to be a Military Service Medal from Chile. Jean-Paul