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Gentlemen, The inscription on the Order of the Jihad is a quotation from the Koran and reads: “And Allah prefers the Mujhadeen and bestows upon them great reward over those who remain behind.” Regards, Owain

Paul, I'll try and get a translation of the Arabic on the medal - not sure if it is a religious or "Green Book" quotation. Owain

Dragomir, Many thanks. I suspect that the Ukranian Order is of a relatively recent institution. Whilst the Colonel's aspirations to African leadership are well known and hence his various African awards I was unware of any interaction between him and Ukraine. A quick seach notes a visit to Ukraine by the Colonel in November 2008 to discuss oil development - the order could have been awarded by President Yushchenko at this time. The photo of the two leaders has the Colonel with a selection of his personal female guards in a variety of uniforms - no medals or ribbons. Regards, Owain

Great - many thanks for the prompt identification of these awards. Owain

...and the reverse, Owain

Dear All, Until I obtained this I was unaware as to its existence. From the overall "greeness" of the design and ribbon I would assume it dates from the post 1979 period and the Colonel's Libyan Arab Socialist Peoples Jamahariya. At the bottom of the medal is the green map of the Arab world which echoes the design of the Order of the Great Conqueror. The medal weighs 53.5gms and is 62.3mm in diameter. The reverse bears the mark "STERLING SILVER - an award of British manufacture (?). The central design appears to be of eight hands facing inwards. Regards, Owain.

Dear All, Illustrated below is an unoffical medallion of the Colonel, probably issued in the early years of the Libyan Arab Republic and manufactured in Egypt. Similar medals with bearing Nasser's head exist. The weight of the bronze (?) medalet is 19gms and it is 31.5mm diameter. The obverse reads " Al Aqeed Muamar Al Qadafi (Colonel...) and the reverse reads "Ya Rub" (Oh Lord) - a religious invocation. Regards, Owain,

Dear All, Another photo of Comrade Brother in a delightful powder blue number, wearing the full set. The sash from top to bottom: Order of Bravery - cannot see if this is a pin back star or a breast badge converted for wear in this fashion. Order of the Republic - the 1969-79 issue - unknown if a second "green" type exists. Order of the Great Conqueror - this could be a sash badge converted for wear on this sash as the full size breast star appears to be visible to the right. Order of the Jihad - usually a breast badge and this may have had its suspension removed. Order of Good Work - 2nd Type - the first type has red, white and black stripes in the centre. Order of the Good Citizen (to be confirmed) - usually a breast badge and this may have had its suspension removed. To the right of the sash an assortment of Arab awards: Top - Egypt Star of Honour, Egypt Military Star; Unknown - not visible. 2nd - Libya Order of the Great Conqueror; Lebanon Order of Merit Exceptional Class; Oman Order of Oman (Military). 3rd - Not visible; Tunisia Order of 7th November; Not visible. 4th - Not visible. To the left of the sash Top - Uganda - tbc. 2nd - Africa - tba ; Benin - tbc. 3rd - Aftrica - tba; Unknown; Mauritania Order of Merit . No doubt Emmanuel will be able to clearly identifiy these African awards. Regards, Owain

...and an image of the reverse of these medals. Owain.

Dear All, I attach images of these awards: The Decoration of Training is from the Libyan Arab Republic period of 1969-79, weighing 28.4gms and 37.6mm in diameter. The reverse bears an 800 silver mark. I am unsure if the ribbon is correct. The Decoration of War Wounded is also from the Libyan Arab Republic period of 1969-79, weighing 30.7gms and 37.4mm in diameter. The reverse bears an 800 silver mark. I do not know what colour the ribbon should be. Regards, Owain

..and the reverse, Owain

Paul, No idea where you could get ribbons - possibly BOMISA in Milan? I attach images of the medals in my collection - the ribbon is blue with green stripes not red stripes. As well as two classes of the medal there are two types - the Libyan Arab Republic 1969-79 and the Libyan Arab Peoples Socialist Jamahuryia 1979-2011. The 1st type weighs 27.4gms and is 37.5mm in diameter. The 2nd type, with ribbon, weighs 29.3gms and is 37.6mm in diameter. The reverse bears an 800 silver mark - again probably of Italian manufacture. Owain

...and another, silver or second class. Ribbon seems authentic and it may well be that this class has a plain green ribbon but I cannot be sure. Owain

...and another gilt example, worn but with original ribbon and brooch. Owain

Dear Megan & Gentlemen, Another delight from the Colonel's regime after he went "green" and this award comes from after 1979 when the Great Libyan Arab Peoples Jamahyria was declared. It comes in at least two classes - gilt and silver, and weighs in at some 27gms without suspension and is 37.6mm in diameter. From the examples illustrated the correct ribbon is the green with two yellow stripes. Each reverse in addition to depicting the infamous "Al Kitab Al Akhdar" - The Green Book, also bears an 800 silver mark. Manufacture is probably Italian. Regards, Owain

With regard to the Order of Bravery I attach a picture of the brave Colonel wearing the medal from a red ribbon. Owain

And finally the Order of the Jihad - from the same period - the early years of the Libyan Arab Republic - see colour scheme on reverse. Weighing in at a massive 132.2gms and 80.1mm in diameter. Of one piece construction and the upper right of the reverse suspension bears the makers mark "BOMISA" and an 800 silver mark. Ribbon unknown but possibly green. Owain

Next the Order of Bravery, again from the Libyan Arab Republic and weighing in at 88.5gms and 66.9mm in diameter. Also of two part construction and the reverse bears the makers mark "BOMISA MILANO". Ribbon plain red. Owain

....and the reverse, Owain

Gentlemen, and of course Megan, I attach details of the big three of the late and unlamented Colonel. First the Order of the Republic. The badge illustrated weighs some 92.6gms and is 62.9mm in diameter. Two part construction and no makers mark - probably Italian. There is also a pin back breast star of the same diameter. The red, white and black centre indicates this is from the early years of his regime when Libya was known as the Libyan Arab Republic Regards, Owain

James, Many thanks for your input and your comments are valid. I have a copy of the autobiography of Abbas Hilmi and at no stage does he make reference to any awards let alone one he has instituted in exile. My supposition was based on the Khedive's flag and whilst not wishing to trust all to Wikepedia I note the folowing quotation: "Muhammad Ali did introduce one distinctive new flag which eventually became the first real Egyptian national flag. Perhaps to symbolize the victory of his armies in 3 continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) or his own sovereignty over Egypt, Nubia, and the Sudan, Ali set three white crescents and three stars on a red field. (...) In 1882, Egyptian nationalists, seeking to take leadership in their own land by deposing the khedive, provided the pretext Britain sought for occupying the country." I would though note that the lower part of the star does include three small five pointed stars and perhaps from a design / manufacturing perspective they were better placed on the rim than the centre of the breat star. Accepting your statement we are left trying to find another source for this award. As noted the medal and the breast star would be part of the same award. The inscription is in Arabic and the breast star made in Vienna. I have perhaps been guilty of adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 5 as I wanted my theory to fit my conclusion. Ah well, what is needed is some documentary evidence to allow us to provide a firm identifcation of this mystery piece. I wonder if the colour scheme of the ribbon - black and red, can provide a clue? As ever thank you for your input, two heads are better than one. Kind regards, Owain

Gentlemen, Help! Any ideas? Both pieces are well made and came from Tehran. The circular piece has a maker's mark on the reverse in Farsi and English reading, possibly, "BAMAR" but it is unclear even with a magnifying glass. Circular piece is 38.8mm diameter and weighs 26 gms Rectangular piece is 42.3mm x 46mm and weighs 27.6gms Regards from a warm Riyadh.... Owain.

I regret no - it is a different award. Owain

Herr General, Would this be the same as the Order of Regional Government? Owain

Will, Nice one! Congratulations on your well deserved award. This will look good mounted up with your RSA awards. Will you engrave the reverse with your name? From the Spink book published for the Sudanese government many years ago, this one class medal is noted as, "This order shall be awarded to Sudanese and foriegners who perform great services to the State and to officials who have spent in the Government service a long period during which they have performed their duties with honesty, loyalty and were of good character." Regards, Owain