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Gentlemen, Another 'new' addition to the PDRY awards series. The medallet reads, right to left: '1963- 1973 / The Tenth Anniversary of the 14 October Revolution' It is made of a very light aluminium type metal and weighs 4.94 grammes, and measures 34.9mm x 36.4mm, and the suspension brooch is 16.9mm x 14.8mm. The piece was obtained from Moscow and thus may be a Soviet made piece. The quality is 'cheap' and thus may be more of a souvenir piece than an official award. Nonetheless this is the first time I have seen such a piece. The date commemorates the commencement of the armed struggle against the British and not the actual date of independence - 30 November 1967. Regards, Owain

UKR, You are welcome. There is a long series of these commemorative medallions - they were not worn with official state awards. Owain

Dr. Ali, More great images - he also has awards from Ethiopia and Italy. Owain

Dr. Ali, A great photograph. I can see Orders from Belgium, France, Monaco, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey (Ottoman) as well as the Persian awards. I cannot identify the star at the bottom left and the partially obscured one on the bottom right or the two uppermost medals. Owain

UKR, This is a Syrian Ba'ath Party medallion commemorating in 1988 the 28th anniversary of the 8 March 1962 revolution - it appears that whilst the revolution was planned in 1962 the actual seizure of power happened in 1963. Owain

Hi, After searching the Arabic internet I could only find a B&W image - see attached, Owain

I hope this assists - an article I had published in JOMSA some years ago, Owain The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Holy Mosque Medal 1979 During the 1979 pilgrimage or Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and at the holiest shrine of Islam, on the 20th of November, under the leadership of Jaheeman Bin Saif Al Otaibi, various fundamentalists of Saudi, Pakistani, Libyan, Moroccan and Yemeni origin seized control of in the Holy Mosque in Mecca. At this time Al Otaibi proclaimed that the Mahdi had come in the person of Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Qahtaini and that all the pilgrims present should acknowledge him as their leader. This taking of the Holy Mosque, a 38 acre complex, appears to have been well planned as the militants were well armed with machine guns, anti aircraft guns, as well as various other weapons. These had been brought into the Holy Mosque in seven trucks bearing the logs “Permanent Construction Co. Bin Laden”, earlier that day under the guise of construction work vehicles. Similarly the militants were well provisioned with dates and water, being supplied with plentiful reserves of the Holy Zamzam water from the Holy Mosque. Whilst it is believed that their numbers were up to some 1,200 a more realistic figure is about 300. Once the militants had consolidated their position the following demands were made, 1. Oil supplies to the United States of America were to cease. 2. Radio and television services within the Kingdom were to cease. 3. The employment of women should cease. 4. Price controls were to be introduced. 5. Moral values were to be re-instated and all Shariah decrees were to be thoroughly implemented. Initially the response to the storming of the Holy Mosque was restrained. It is forbidden to shed blood within the confines of the Holy Mosque. This being so King Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud obtained a ruling from the religious authorities that following the failure of reasoned dialogue to resolve the situation that force could be used. The Holy Mosque was then stormed by government forces aided by French Commandos. The Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud declared that the Holy Mosque was liberated at 1 30 am on Sunday 4 December. According to the official Saudi Government statement the following casualties occurred. Saudi personnel killed 130 Saudi personnel injured 461, of whom 27 later died. Militants killed 75 Militants captured 170 Pilgrims killed 27 including 3 women. It is believed that some, if not many, of the militants escaped. Amongst the dead was the proclaimed Mahdi who it is claimed committed suicide. The prisoners, including Al Otaibi, were then tried and despatched in groups around the Kingdom where they were publicly beheaded. It appears from later reports that the militants had also planned to attack the Royal Palace in Riyadh and also the Holy Mosque in Medina however these plans came to naught. It is also said that an attempt to kidnap the King and to force him to abdicate was to occur but due to illness the King did not go to the Holy Mosque as planned. On Friday following the liberation of the Holy Mosque King Khalid along with members of the royal family, scholars and pilgrims performed morning prayers to celebrate the liberation of the Holy Mosque. To commemorate the liberation of the Holy Mosque the Saudi Government instituted a medal the details of which are as follows, Obverse In the centre a depiction in black enamel of the Ka'aba, the focal point of the Holy Mosque around which the pilgrims perambulate, upon which is a white enamel dot representing the silver housing of the black stone which is set into the south - east corner of the Ka'aba. The Ka'aba is surmounted by bronze and white enamel rays depicting the sky which is turn are edged by a wreath of laurel leaves. Immediately below the Ka'aba are two crossed swords, hilts downwards, on either side of which is the Arabic inscription on white enamel, “ ” “Medal of the Holy Mosque.” Reverse Plain, with the inscription, ” “ “In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate. A tribute from a safe nation To the heroes of the Holy Mosque Who sacrificed in combat with honour against evil. In the year 1400.” Size 4 cm in diameter. Metal Bronze. Ribbon 37mm, with a central 1mm red stripe bordered on each side by stripes of white, 9mm, black, 1.5mm and green, 7.5mm, outermost. Medals to officers are distinguished by a rosette upon the ribbon. Suspension A loop affixed to the top of the medal, which is in turn affixed to a 40mm wide ribbon suspension bar. Designer The Saudi Ministry of Defence and Aviation. Manufacturer Arthus Bertrand of Paris. Instituted By Council of Ministers Decree of 11/01/1401 H corresponding to 19/11/1980. This medal was principally awarded to those troops who took part in the battle to retake the Holy Mosque in Mecca and the recipients consisted mainly of the following: a) The National Guard. b) The Royal Saudi Army. c) The Royal Saudi Air Force. It is not known whether awards of the medal were made to the French military personnel involved in the operation. Accompanying the medal was a certificate bearing a depiction of the medal as a neck badge and the illustrated certificate is translated as follows, In The Name of God, By His Grace and Providence THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA By Order of His Royal Highness Award Technical Sergeant Sadaq Hassan Nahas MEDAL OF THE HOLY MOSQUE 1980/11/19 Gregorian. H 1401/01/11 Riyadh. Chief of Royal Diwan Chief of Royal Protocol Bibliography. Bibliography The Kingdom, Robert Lacey, 1981. Medal of the Holy Mosque of Saudi Arabia, John Liffiton, OMRS. History of the Ka’bah, Mohammed Hussain Azhar, 1995.

Yes I do - Nasser and Tito were very friendly and visited each other on numerous occasions. I think it would have gone to a junior rank not an officer as and officer would have received an Order of Merit (not the Medals of Merit which was a separate series of medals) or Order of the Republic. Owain

Hi, This is the Medal of Merit - it appears to be silver and thus a 2nd Class - also a silver mark. The Arabic on the suspension reads 'Republic of Egypt' - the suspension 'bird' was later changed when the nation became the 'Egyptian Arab Republic' - see image below. The revers Arabic is the word 'merit'. Regards, Owain

Hi, The upside down clasp in the auction picture is 'Falasteen' (Palestine), Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, I note below the details of the Lebanese Military Valour Medal. Owain Instituted by Decree 1669, on August 18, 1971; awarded to all servicemen in the Army, either for years of distinguished service or for acts of bravery in two classes: · Silver for Officers · Bronze for Other Ranks The Medal: The "Military Valour Medal" consists of an 'egg' shaped bronze medal, and a ribbon affixed to the medal by a ball and loop on the reverse. Obverse: The head of a soldier with a helmet and an olive branch. At the base, the Arabic inscription “Military Valour Medal”, base of the medal is surrounded by two Laurel branches. Reverse: Plain Ribbon: Total width of 36mm it is tri-colour with the following stripes: 1. Six red stripes of widths for each: two 3 mm, two 2 mm and two 1 mm 2. Six white stripes of widths for each: two 3 mm, two 2.5 mm and two 1.5 mm 3. One centered blue stripe of 10 mm width

And the Order of the Star of Honour of Ethiopia - he was 2ic of the Mission to Menelik in 1897 and received the award then. Regards, Owain P.S. His awards were sold by Spink in 1999 and included: Distinguished Service Order, V.R., gold and enamel; Egypt, undated, two clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Toski (Lieut., R.A.); Queen’s Sudan (Lt. Col. Sir, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., R.A.); 1914-15 Star (General Sir, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.M.G., D.S.O.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf (Gen. Sir); Coronation 1902; Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Territorial Decoration, GVR., un-hallmarked; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, with ‘Tokar’ clasp; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, seven claps, Firket, Hafir, Sudan 1897, The Atbara, Khartoum, Sudan 1899, Gedid, unnamed; Khedive’s Sudan 1910-22, one clasp, Darfur 1916, unnamed. Orders included in the Lot : G.C.B. (Military) & C.B. (Civil); G.C.V.O.; G.B.E., 1st Type (Civil); K.C.M.G.; K.St.J; Austria, Order of Franz Joseph, 1st Class; Austria, Order of the Iron Crown, Commander; Egypt, Order of Mohammed Ali, 1st Class; Egypt, Order of the Nile, 1st Class; Ethiopia, Order of the Star, Badge, Breast Star & Neck Badge; Hedjaz, Order of El Nahda, 1st Class; Turkey, Order of Osmanieh 1st Class; Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, 1st Class.

Hi, As noted May was a retired civilian and as such was awarded her 'second' MBE - when it was realised that this had been awarded in error it was rescinded and she was awarded an MiD in lieu. At no time during WW2 was she a serving member of HM Forces and thus was not entitled to any WW2 medals. I believe the terms of award of a MiD were reviewed after the war and were thereafter limited to acts of gallantry. Regards, Owain

Bar the WW1 medals, and with the possible exception of the ISO, none would have been named. Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, At long last I am pleased to post pictures of my Great-Great Aunt's awards - collected today. l tried initially to have the MiD mounted above the rack of 5 but this proved to be too difficult. Then it was between the Victory Medal and the Rafidain, but whilst technically correct, it looked very, very strange and ungainly so finally decided upon having it at the end for display purposes. Kind regards, Owain

George V became King in 1910. Owain

I wonder how his Great War Medals are named? 'H.M. King George V'? Owain

Gentlemen, I think that the clasp reads, 'Baghdad'. Regards, Owain

P.F., Thanks for the clearer picture - I think my ID's are correct. By the way the 'collar' is not a 'collar' rather it is the Royal Victorian Chain and I believe the neck badge is the Order of the Bath (Military Division) to accompany the lower breast star. Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, An attempt at identifying the first image medal bar: Order of the Bath Military Order of the Star of India Order of St. Michael & St. George Order of Indian Empire Royal Victorian Order Order of British Empire Imperial Service Order 1914-15 Star Great War Medal Great War Victory Medal 1887 Jubilee Medal + 1897 Clasp 1902 Coronation Kind regards, Owain

Gentlemen, I had the good fortune to meet with Bichay in 1996 and again in 2003 and see my notes below which I hope will be of interest. I also attach a picture from 1996 and also one of me with Bichay in 2003. Regards, Owain Notes of Conversation with Fahmy Tewfiq Bichay, St. Anne Bellvue, Quebec, Tuesday 19 August, 2003. Lattes / Bichay Pronounced ‘Lattess’. Fahmy’s father was the chief craftsman for Lattes and manufactured all awards dating back to the reign of Hussein Kamel (1914-17) including the short-lived Order of Filaha. Bichay also manufactured for two other “jewellers” – Weinberger/Dornberger?? and Robsons?? Bichay’s father took over the workshop for Lattes in the 1930’s. At peak approximately 45 people were employed at the workshops and Bichay joined the business on leaving school at the age of 18 in 1935 becoming a master of all stages of production. His father often met with King Fouad and he in turn met on occasional Friday afternoons with King Farouk. In accordance with his father's wishes he never got involved in politics. Fahmy slowly withdrew from the business in the 1960s – emigrating to Canada in 1962 and returning occasionally to Cairo. He maintained and interest but after the matter of the 1973 War Medal – see below no further medals were manufactured. A shop was retained in Cairo in Talaat Harb Street but this was eventually closed in the late 1990s. Egyptian Medal Ribbon No ribbons were manufactured locally in Cairo but subcontracted to a French company in Nimes? Egypt – Collar of the Order of Mohammed Ali Bichay retained an example of this award and the collar consisted of gold links made in part by his father in the 1920’s and by him in the late 1940s or early 1950’s. At an asking price of US$25,000 it was deemed more suitable that the collar go to auction. Egypt - Cholera Medal 1947 Designer Fox or Fuchs was not a jeweller but a metal worker who was endeavouring to get into the medal business. Egypt - Mohammed Ali Centenary Medal 1949. At least two designs but the approved design was not manufactured and issued and thus the majority of those wearing the ribbon did not have the medal Egypt – Republican Awards The somewhat unattractive designs were a result of the designs being provided by the Cairo College of Art. Egypt - Order of Liberation 1952 This medal was only manufactured in very limited numbers and thus the majority of officers who wore this medal ribbon did not actually have the medal. (The same would probably apply to the Medal of Liberation as proposed for other ranks.) Egypt – 1973 War Medal The last medal that Bichy was involved with – he was asked to tender, however he was undercut by a competitor. Bichay was asked to reduce his price to match the competitor but he declined on the grounds that the price quoted would only cover the costs of the raw materials and he did not wish to manufacture at a loss. Thus the eventual medal was of poor quality. Libya – Order of King Idris Bichay believed that this was one of the most attractive pieces he had designed and manufactured. Saudi Arabia In 1950’s only manufactured the Order of Abdul Aziz and the Order of Social Services. Syria - Order of Merit Originally made by Bertrand with a 6 pointed star after independence in 1948 Bichay asked to tender for the manufacture and suggested that the design should be amended to a 5 pointed star. As Arthus Bertrand was unwilling to release a die, Bichay manufactured his own die. Yemen - Proposed Royal Order Crown Prince Badr took the only proof item and due to the 1962 Revolution the order was never manufactured nor indeed was Bichay paid for his work. Owain Raw-Rees, 30 August 2003.

Many thanks, Owain

Gentlemen, My friend Elie's apartment was some 600 meters from yesterday's explosion in Beirut. Whilst his wife and two boys were away he was at home and is lucky to have survived - apartment (and block) severely damaged - most probably beyond repair. He has some 72 stitches in 22 places. The first two hospitals he walked to barefoot were trashed - only after 3kms he got to a hospital where he was attended to. As he said to me today he is grateful to be alive. Pray for Lebanon. Owain

Emmanuel, Great posts - thank you. I attach some further images : 1. The jewelled breast star on display at the old National Museum in Muscat - the picture was taken some years ago and this and other awards are now housed in the new National Museum. I am assuming, without firm evidence, that this was the star bestowed upon Sultan Faisal of Oman. 2. A different but damaged third class star - sold as an unidentified brooch at a jewellery auction in UK some years ago - I either missed bidding or could afford it! The dates are different so this is a bit of a mystery piece. 3. The obverse and reverse of the miniature. Regards, Owain

Nice posts Emmanuel - many thanks, Owain