oamotme

The reverse is definitely the 1958 United Arab Republic medal, however the obverse should be a map of the Middle East - can you advise if the obverse on you piece is cast as part of the medal or is a separate piece which has been affixed to the medal. Regards, Owain

Greetings from Riyadh! I detail below a list of what should be included in a Egyptian collection - I am sure I have mised a few items but at least you have an idea of what you should get. Some of this is very dificult to get hold of and as with all series of awards there are various variations and types. As for prices - not cheap. I hope this helps. Owain KHEDIVATE Order of Mohammed Ali Order of Felaha 1882 Bronze Star 1897 Sudan Medal 1911 Sudan Medal 1913 Bravery Medal MONARCHY The Order of Mohammed Ali The Order of Mohammed Ali Medal for Bravery The Order (Collar) of Fouad I The Order of The Nile The Order of Ismail The Order of Al Kemal Military Star of Fouad I Medal for Meritorious Acts Medal for Devotion to Duty The Order of Agriculture The Order of Public Instruction The Order of Industry & Commerce Civil Bravery Medal 1948 Palestine War Medal Mohammed Ali Centenary Medal Royal Guard Commemorative Medal Prince Kamal Al Din Hussain Medal King Fouad Bienveillance Medal King Farouk Coronation Medal Shooting Medal REPUBLIC The Order of the Nile The Order of the Republic The Order of Merit The Order of Independence The Order of Honour The Order of Labour The Order of Agriculture The Order of Public Instruction The Order of Industry & Commerce The Order of Sport The Order of El Kemal Sinai Star Star of Honour Liberation Star (Army & Police) Liberation Medal Military Star Mobilization Medal Shooting Medal Bravery Medal (Military & Civil) Medal of The Republic Distinguished Service Medal Medal for Merit Evacuation Medal Military Medal of Independence Medal for Devotion to Duty (Military & Civil) Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Medal of Special Promotion Training Medal Medal for War Wounded Victory Medal United Arab Republic Medal 6th October Medal Sinai Liberation Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal 10th Anniversary of the Revolution Medal 20th Anniversary of the Revolution Medal Army Day Medal Navy Day Medal Air Force Silver Jubilee Medal Air Force Golden Jubilee Medal Air Defence Force Day Medal

3rd medal posted 10 March : Obverse "Mr. Saddam Hussain President of the Repblic of Iraq" Reverse "Ministry of Politcial Affairs" Probably a souvenir piece. Regards, Owain.

Bob, Obverse A five pointed star with two crossed rifles across the two lower arms of the star. Across the two horizontal arms the raised inscription, “Hero of Yemen” Reverse Recessed and plain other than mounting for crossed rifles. Size 31mm diameter in bronze-gilt, of Hungarian manufacture. Ribbon 21mm - equal stripes of black, white and red. An enamel shield 8mm x 10mm, of the colours of the P.D.R.Y. is affixed to the centre of the ribbon. Suspension A narrow bar affixed by a central “V” by a link to a loop on the uppermost arm of the star. This award is similar in style to such “Hero” stars issued by other communist bloc countries and would have been senior to many other awards Owain

Dear Vorbeste, Following the departure of the colonial power a major pre-occupation of the new rulers of South Yemen was the removal of all traces of the colonial rule and the historic structure it had supported. Thus all federal rulers were deposed and their land and property confiscated. The former protectorate states were re-grouped into six numbered governates: 1st Aden, 2nd Lahej, 3rd Abyan, 4th Shabwa, 5th Hadhramaut and 6th Al Mahra. It appears that at least three of these governates, Abyan, Shabwa and Hadhramaut issued medals and it is possible that all six did but evidence for the others is not known. Your medal is the Abyan issue: Obverse A circular medal bearing a shield with a border in the colours of the flag of the P.D.R.Y. and at the bottom of the border the bilingual inscription “Abyan Gov.” In the centre a design consisting of mountains, coffee and sea flanked by foliage. On either side of the shield the bilingual inscription, “P.D.R. Yemen”. Reverse Blank other than the circular bilingual inscription, “People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen” I hope this helps, Regards, Owain

Greg, This is the Order of Al Said of Oman. Owain

Emmanuel, This is the Abdulaziz Collar - the Badr Collar is for Muslim heads of state only. Owain

Elvis, This is the Algerian Wound Medal - I am assuming, but to be confirmed, that the single stripe issue is for one wound and that further stripes & star indicate further wounds. Regards, Owain

Chris et al, Great photo and as you say one of the few, if only one, with decorations being worn - taken during a visit to Belgrade: Collar of the Nile - 1953. Sash & Star of the Grand Cordon of the Nile Star of the Order of the Republic. Star of the Yugoslav Order of the Great Star. Medals Order of Liberation - Officers issue. Military Star x 2 (one of these may have been isseud in 1948 and thus the royal issue - Chris?) 1948 War Medal - republican issue with reversed medal. 1949 Mohammed Ali Centenary Medal (without suspension wreath) - also reversed to obscure monarch. Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, This has long been a mystery but I am pleased to advise this is the Algerian Wound Medal - the ribbon is incorrect and should be white and red. Owain

The lower Arabic translates as "The Nejdah Police". Regards, Owain

Demir, This is highly informative - with my limited Arabic I try to decipher such inscriptions . Your diagrammatic breakdown is of great value - thanks for the tutorial. Owainl

According to one of my staff this is in Geez not Amharic and is a certificate in the name of Halie Selassie awarding the Order of the Star Knight (5th class) to a Captain Costa Ulseevich (Transliteraion?) & issued by the Defence Ministry Hope this helps, Owain

The inventiveness of modern Iraqi awards never ceases to amaze - the only more amazing thing is the vendors ability to price himself out of the market! Owain

Gentlemen, I have a sneaking suspicion that these medals are Algerian wounded awards - but need confirmation. Owain[

Gentlemen, This is a military college award from the United Arab Republic. Owain

Dear All, These are indeed Egyptian and the texts read as follows: Tank : "Egypts Shield, Victory or Death" Sword : "Infantry" Shoulder title : "Airborne" Cap badge " Egyptian Arab Republic" Regards, Owain

Lorenzo, I believe the one on the right with a suspension "chain" is some from of official award. The one with Saddam and wings is new to me. Owain

My late grandfather, John Edward Arnold Evans, was a banker in British East Africa with Barclays DCO throughout WW2 and at some stage was apparently appointed as a "Financial Advisor" to the Britsih Miliitary - he was to receive a military rank (Maj./Lt.Col.?) but this was decided to be inappropriate on the basis that whatever rank he held he could be overruled by a senior officer and thus he remained a civilian. He received no awards. Owain

Gentlemen, The sword illustrated is the sword awarded for the liberation of Al Fao and not the Qadiisiyah Saddamm sword. I would suggest that there are three swords - probably all of the same design and manufacture, but bearing different inscriptions: Qadissiyah Saddam for the Iraq-Iran War and part of the 1980s overhaul of the Iraqi honours system. The Liberation of Al Fao sword - specific to this particular action during the Iraq-Iran war. (Another one off award was the "Key of Liberation of Basra" - awarded in at least two classes and cast from the smelted weapons iof Iraqi martyrs!) The Um Al Marek (Mother of Battle) sword instituited in 1991 and replacing the Qadissiyah Saddam sword - same decree as that replacing the Order of Qadissiyah Saddam by the Order of Mother of Battle. It is possible (probable) that Will's jewelled breast badge is the medallic representation of all three of these swords., however the suspension bar/clasp states "Sword of Qadissiyah Saddam" and thus is specific to the first sword. The example I have is also gilded base metal. Lorenzo's photograph of the chain of 1980's awards has the badge second only to the Rafidain. Regards, Owain.

Many thanks - I'll see if I can get a copy when next in UK. Owain

Dear Tiger-pie, Many thanks - does this book include photographs of Nufl or Ghassani? Owain

Gentlemen, I am currrently researching the Dhofar Liberation Front (DLF), Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG), National Democratic Front for the Liberation of Oman (NDFLOAG), Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO) and I am endeavouring to obtain a picture of the initial two leaders of these organisations Mussalim Bin Nufl (1963-68), a former member of Sultan Saeed's household, and his successor in Mohammed Ahmed Saeed Al Ghassani (1968-1975). Does anyone have any information? I detail below a potential bibliography ? Who Dares Wins, Tony Geraghty, 1980, Arms & Armoour; ? SAS operation Oman, Colonel Tony Jeapes, 1980, The Battery Press, Inc. ? We Won a War, John Akehurst, 1982, Michael Russell; ? A History of the SAS Regiment, John Strawson, 1984, Secker & Warburg; ? Honour to the Airborne (Part 2), David Buxton, 1985, Elmdon Publishing [A5 booklet]. ? The Secret War, Dhofar 1971/1972, David C. Arkless, 1988, William Kimber & Co. Ltd. ? A-Z of the SAS, Peter Darman, 1992, Sidgwick & Jackson; ? Muscat Command, Peter Thwaites, 1995, Leo Cooper. ? In the Service of the Sultan, Ian Gardiner, 2006, Pen & Sword; There are no such pictures in Arkless, Jeapes or Thwaites books - perhaps the others may assist. Kind regards, Owain (OAMOTME)

Wil, This is not the Sirdars Medal shown in your other post - the crown suspension clearly differentiates it from the Sirdar's Efficiency Medal. This looks like a full time soldier not a cadet. Possible options: Badge of office, i.e. Corporal of the Guard / duty NCO or similar. Passing out award - best NCO of cadre or similar. Prize medal - shootiong, sports, etc. Sirdar / Governor's Guard designation. Food for thought...... Owain

Doc, Nice piece - no makers mark thus I would suggest either a Bertrand or Huguenin piece - I suspect the former. Owain