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Wil, I attach images of the DRS issue - army and police ribbons. Owain

Will, According to the DRS protocol "this order shall be awarded to officers of the People's Arrmed Forces, Police and Prison Officers with variations in ribbons identifying each Force according to the conditions prescribed by the regulations of each Force". Not particularly clear but I would suspect that length of service and meritorious service re key elements in being awarded the DSO. The Original issue appear to be all silver while the DRC issue is of gilt with a silvered central disc. Regards, Owain

Wil, Very nice indeed - good to see the post 1956 DSO is correct for the period with the rhino suspension - I've not seen this issue before although the later Democratic Republic of Sudan issue with the crane.or secretary bird is not uncommon - both are, I believe of Spink manufacture. I suspect the Governor General series might be from the Royal Mint but this needs to be confirmed - if indeed the Royal Minit did make them there should be records of how many of each were made and when. Regards, Owain

Lorenzo, Only two types and you have I believe examples of both. Owain.

The colours are correct but the older ribbons of a matt or non-watered silk.

I don't have a copy of this cancelled "regulations" but suspect it was similar to the actual regulations. The Gallantry Medal you refer to and illustrate was replaced with the second type in the 1930's -I'll have to look for the exact date. Owain.

Lorenzo , The instituting law is as follows - enjoy. Owain Published in IGG No. 11, 15 May, 1926 “LAW FOR THE CREATION OF GALLANTRY AND ACTIVE SERVICE MEDALS, 1926” 85. We, KING of IRAQ, With the approval of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, do hereby order the enactment of the following Law: - Article 1. This Law shall be called “Gallantry and Active Service Medals Law” No. 34 of 1926. Article 2 Two medals shall be created, the one to be called “Gallantry Medal” and the other “Active Service Medal”. Their designs, colours, ribbons and manner of wearing shall be defined by a special regulation. Article 3 The Gallantry Medal may be awarded to officers and other ranks who exhibit exceptional gallantry in the battle line. Article 4 The Active Service Medal may be awarded to officers, other ranks and persons who participate in active military operations which will be defined by the Ministry of Defence. Article 5 This law shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Government Gazette. Article 6 The Minister of Defence is charged with execution of this Law. Made at Baghdad this 20th day of April, 1926, and the 8th day of Shawal 1344. FAISAL Prime Minister Minister of Defence ABDUL MUHSIN AL SA’DUN NURI AL SA’ID ----00000---- Published in IGG No. 7, 13 February, 1927 50. The wearing of Iraq and Foreign Medals shall be in accordance with the following order, commencing from the right hand side:- The Iraq Medal.The Gallantry Medal and Active Service Medal.Other Iraq Medals.Al Nahda Medal.The Allies and Friendly Nations Medals and Decorations in order of seniority of date (Published in the Waqayi al Iraqiya No. 511 dated 9-2-27) ----00000---- Published in IGG No.14 of 2 April, 1927) 90. REGULATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION OF LAW FOR THE CREATION OF GALLANTRY AND GENERAL SERVICE MEDALS – “No. 2 OF 1927” WE, KING of IRAQ In accordance with Para 1 of Article 26 of the Organic Law and Article 2 of “Law for the Creation of Gallantry and Active Service Medals, No. 34 of 1926” and with the approval of the Council of Ministers, do hereby order the enactment of the following Regulations:- Article 1 The Gallantry Medal shall be of the following shape: White silver disc, 1 ¼ inches diameter and 1/16th inch thickness, with two white triangular silver wings, each composed of eleven feathers attached to its lower sides, the bases of the wings being fixed on the circumference of the disc. On one side of the disc shall be written “For Gallantry” and on the other side the name of His Majesty King “Faisal 1”.The ribbon from which the medal is suspended shall be as follows: A piece of silk one square inch in size, the middle half of which shall be of dark red and the two side quarters black.If the medal is granted more than once, a silver star with seven rays ½ centimetre shall be attached to the middle of the ribbon each time the grant of this medal is repeated, thus one star, two stars, three stars and so forth respectively. Article 2 The General Service Medal shall be of the following shape: Bronze disc, 1 ¼ inches diameter and 1/16th inch thickness, with a crescent at the bottom part and above it circular wreath open at the top. The disc is fixed upon two crossed rifles with their muzzles appearing at the top and their butts at the bottom of the disc.The imaginary point of junction is the centre of the disc. At the top of the disc there shall be a radiation of nine lance points with its base fixed on the circumference of the disc and its top attached to the ribbon holder. On one side of the disc inside the wreath shall be written “General Service”(in Arabic) and on the other side the name of His majesty King “Faisal 1” and the Hijrah date of creating the medal.The ribbon shall be as follows: A piece of silk, 1 ½ inches long and 1 ¼ inches breadth. The two side quarters of the piece shall be of green colour and the middle half white.If the grant of this medal is repeated a silver clasp one-centimetre width shall be fixed to the ribbon on which shall be written the name and date of the campaign. This shall be repeated each time the medal is granted. Article 3 The General Service Medal shall be worn next to the Gallantry Medal following the Iraq Orders and before of any other Iraq Medals on the left side of the chest. Article 4 The regulations for the execution of Law for the Creation of Gallantry and Active Service Medals, No.1 dated 8th February 1927 are hereby cancelled. Article 5 These regulations shall take effect from the date of their publication in the Iraq Government Gazette. Article 6 The Ministers are charged with execution of these Regulations. Made at Baghdad this 19th day of March, 1927, and the 16th day of Ramadhan, 1345. FAISAL JA’FAR AL ‘ASKARI RASHID ALI YASIN AL HASHIMI Prime Minister Minister of Interior Minister of Finance & Minister of Foreign Affairs RAUF AL CHADIRICHI NURI AL SA’ID MUHD. AMIN ZAKI Minister of Justice Minister of Defence Minister of Comms. & Works “ABDUL MHADI AMIN ‘ALI Minister of Education Minister of Awqaf (Published in the Waqayi al Iraqiya No. 524 dated 27-3-27)

Lorenzo, No idea as to how many were awarded but whilst the clasp Southern Kurdistan is scarce, with patience, it will appear - the other clasps are like hen's teeth.The medal and clasps are as follows:: Heading English Arabic Transliteration Obverse General Service الخدمة العامة Al Khidmat Al A`ama Reverse Faisal The First 1344 فيصل الأول 1344 Faisal Al `Awal Clasp Southern Kurdistan 1930-31 كردستان الجنوبية 1930 - 31 Kurdistan Al Jenubiya Barzan 1932 بارزان 1932 Barzan Tiyareen Campaign 1933 حركات التيارين 1933 Harkat Al Tiyareen Euphrates Campaign 1935 حركات الفرات 1935 Harkat Al Furat Euphrates Campaign 1936 حركات الفرات 1936 Harkat Al Furat Regards, Owain

Lorenzo, Please accept my apologies for confusing the prices paid for these medals. As you rightly say the time to buy was in the mid-1990s and indeed I was fortunate to build up the bulk of my collection then and prior to the 2003 invasion. It would appear that following 2003 Iraqi awards became more popular and as demand increased supply decreased the few vendors in Baghdad have decided to milk us, the collectors, for what they can - and of course I cannot blame them for doing so. Prices from Iraqi sources do not reflect prices in Europe or US. However the dilemma that collectors face is that we are usually unable to forgo the opportunity of further acquisitions for financial prudence. I have colleagues in Kabul who suffer from the same dilemma. Indeed Afghan awards are even less researched than Arab awards and have little or no value in the West - relatively speaking. There is a vendor in Dubai of such awards amongst loads of other jewellery and junk - he is an Afghan and his attitude, very similar to vendors in Iraq and some I have known in Yemen, is that as Westerner you can afford to pay (and preferably through the nose)! Of course there are only relatively few collectors of Arab or indeed Iraqi awards and I try and manage vendors expectations by only ever buying one example of each award thereby making sure the vendor will not expect me to buy anything and everything - if only my pocket would allow me to do so. This coming weekend I had planned to go hunting for medals in Sana' and then decided that visiting Yemen was not a good idea and then planned to go to Cairo - again not a good idea, and thus I am off to Muscat - a nice place but next to no medals! Kind regards, Owain

Lorenzo, A steep price to pay for what is stil not a too difificult medal to get and I am sure you already have one - overr GBP500 which is too much. Beware of forcing prices up! The pale green is the orginal Iraqi issue ribbon and to my mind more attractive that the later dark green British issue/accepted ribbon. I suspect the fading is just contact with metal over the years.......... Notwithstanding my moaning about your generosity to Iraqi dealers, you do a good job in keeping the iraqi interest going - many thanks, Owain

Good morning from Riyadh, I cannot make out all of the texts but I would hazard identification as follows: Top Row: Morrocco - Civil Merit Syria - Unofficial Ba'ath Party Commemorative Israel - text looks Hebrew Egypt - Regimental Second Row Jordan - Ramadan War Iraq - 1948 War UAR - Alexandria Footbal Club(?) Spain - Mehduia Order Regards, Owain

Will, My guys have had a look but it is unclear - if you can clean the rim and send clearer images..... the last two words appear to be Al Sudan Al Malikiya ..."Royal Sudan"? Owain

Will, The Sudan Medal appears to read "1357 - 13 Bn" The Long Service Decoration is more difficult but I think the name is "Hussain Effendi" - rank and unit is more difficult - I can also make out the word "Sudan" - I'll get some of my Arab staff to look tomorrow. Great group........... Owain

Will, The gilt one with the maroon ribbon is, I believe, Saddam's prize (order) for art - 1st Class - the second class is of silver with a blue ribbon - both are nicely made pieces and the earlier ones have a year date on a suspension link - Italian or Swiss manufacture(?). The top left trio are the Order of Arts & Sciences - in total four grades gilt and silver large and small - instituted 1996 (?) and locally made. There is also a science order (1999?) - again locally made, but these series of awards is very confusing and difficult to work out which are state orders and which are annual prizes but which are also worn - very confusing. There is also a 1988 Saddam Appreciation Order which also covers academc (literary, artistc, scientific ) success or merit What is the medal with the orange or red ribbon? Regards, Owain.

Will, Excellent displays - I note you even have a couple of UAE awards 15h Anniversary and a Long Service medals. Thanks for sharing. Owain

Ah ha! It appears that we both have examples sourced from Aberdeen Medals! Congratulations! Well we now know that at least three of these medal exist - the aforementioned group - location unknown, and the two residing in our respective collections. All we need now is to obtain a copy of the decree instituting the award..... Kind regards, Owain

Ilja, From the style - the bevelled edge and intergral loop I would suggest that this is a souvenir piece perhaps for a keyring? Owain.

Ilja, I think the reverse notes "The 33rd Anniversary (1970-2003) of the xxxxxxx Movement of 16 of Tishreen" - one of a series of semi-official medalions issued each year as momentos or souvenirs. As Chris notes the desgin is painful - good Syrian Baathist / socialist bling Regards, Owain.

Chris, Good to hear from you - are you still in UK? I attach images of the miniature - another scarce beastie. Regards, Owain

Dear Brian, For many years I only had the miniature of this obscure / scarce award and never expected to see let alone acquire a full size one - however I was fortunate and now have one. To my mind this award dates from the commencement of the second series of the Khedive's Sudan Medal (1910?) and only appears to have the Abbas Hilmi obverse. The scroll suspension would echo the British DCM medal. I attach images of the one in my collection - no naming though and the ribbon is modern. Sultan Hussain Kamel instituted the Orders of Mohammed Ali, Ismail and Nile in 1915 and the Order of Mohammed Ali also included two bravery medals in gold and silver which I would suggest replaced the Abbas Hilmi bravery medal - Khedive Abbas Hilmi being ousted by the British in December 1914 and replaced by Hussain Kamel who was given/took the title Sultan. On this basis the award was very short lived (1910-14 or 15?) and to date I have found no evidence of its award to British personnel. The Mohammed Ali Bravery Medals in turn became obsolete (possibly?) with the institution of Military Star of King Fuad. Fuad became Sultan in 1917 and his monogram replaced that of Abbas Hilmi on the 2nd Series Khedive's Sudan Medal. Fuad became King in 1922. Effectively next to no documentary history for this award - unless of course someone knows otherwise........ KInd regards from Riyadh, Owain. P.S. From comparing the images yours are of the medal I have - small world!

Wil / Paul, There are four awards in this series, all instituted and noted in the Sudan Defence Force Gazette of 4 November, 1933: Distinguished Service Decoration (Silver) Native Officer's Decoration (Silver) Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (Bronze) General Service Medal (Silver) Wil - the one with the camel is the Distinguished Service Decoration - the scarcest of the series - is yours named? The recent DNW auction had all four for sale as singles - I am missing the Native Officers Decoration from my collection and was outbid at the auction! Regards, Owain.

Linas, Again a fairly common and cheap piece - seemy notes below, Regards, Owain. Obverse A circular medal edged with a green enamel laurel wreath. In the centre a map of Palestine and the Jordan Valley with the inscription to the left and right, “Palestine 1948” At the top of the medal are two crossed scimitars between the blades of which is the dome of a mosque which is surmounted by a crescent. A church is superimposed upon the dome. Reverse Blank. Classes One. Size 36mm diameter. Metal Bronze. Ribbon 37mm red with a 6mm white stripe inset 6mm from each edge. Suspension By a loop soldered to the rear of the medal. Instituted Legislative Decree No. 13 of the 18th of December, 1951. This Order is awarded in commemoration of the various battles fought by the Syrian Army since 1948. It is awarded to soldiers and to civilians and also to foreigners who distinguish themselves during these conflicts. It may be awarded posthumously.

Linas, These are very common pieces - see my notes below, egards, Owain. Obverse An eight pointed multi rayed star with a central circular medallion. The upper half is an inverted crescent whilst the bottom half has a green enamel wreath of laurels tied at the base. In the centre an armed cavalry man astride a galloping horse, below which is the inscription in black, “Order of Bravery” Reverse Blank. Classes Three. Size 1st Class 60 mm diameter. 2nd Class 50 mm diameter 3rd Class 40 mm diameter Metal Bronze. Ribbon 36 mm blue ribbon with three 4 mm white stripes, each of which have a central 1 mm red stripe. A bronze oak leaf is worn on the ribbon to indicate further awards. Suspension By a small wreath affixed to the uppermost point of the star. Instituted Legislative Decree # 15, 20th July 1964. This medal is awarded to members of the Syrian Armed Forces who display courage and valour during military operations. Award of the medal was to be extended in 1976 to also include civilians and foreigners. The three classes are awarded as follows: First Usually officers. Second Usually Non Commissioned Officers. Third For soldiers and others The Order of Bravery may also be awarded for displaying courage in the public interest and for carrying out exceptional activities and public services in favour of the State or the display of self sacrifice in saving life, property or national wealth.

Lorenzo , Although the orders were sometimes of British manufacture they were also made in France and most of the medals were of Swiss manufacture so it is more than likely that the brooch bars are of European manufacture. Regards, Owain

Lorenzo, You describe the bars as British style - as a former British army officer I do not recognise this format - British ribbons are invariably mouted in a row and then sewn directly onto the tunic jacket and are not pinned on by brooch clips. Regards, Owain