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It is the Faisal the First Gallantry award from the first Iraqi series of awards dating from 1926 : A silver disc, 1? inches diameter (40mm x 42mm) and 1/16th inch thickness, with two white triangular silver wings, each composed of eleven feathers attached to the lower sides, the bases of the wings being fixed on the circumference of the disc. In the centre of the obverse is engraved ?Faisal The First? and the reverse is engraved ?For Gallantry?. The ribbon is one inch (36mm) in width with a central ? inch dark red stripe with black edge stripes. Subsequent awards are noted by the attachment to the ribbon of 5mm seven-rayed silver stars to the middle of the ribbon. This scarce award was made to a number of British Officers and the recipient?s rank, name and number were engraved on the reverse of the medal. This award became obsolete in April 1934 when the design was replaced by seven-pointed, multi rayed brass star. In the centre a 25mm. diameter silver disc bearing a gold coloured brass crown, 13mm by 13mm. (A variation on a blue disc is known.) The crown is supported on two crossed curved swords each 15mm. long, with a width of 1?mm. Suspension is by a loop attached to the uppermost ray of the star. The reverse is blank. From entries collected from extant issues of the Iraqi Government Gazettes between 1926 and 1946 some 363 Gallantry Medals are known to have been awarded, although this figure may be higher. Fifteen of these were awarded to British personnel as follows: 9 to the Royal Air Force (4 x Officer Pilots, 2 x Sgt. Pilots and 3 x Airmen).3 to the Army officers attached to Iraqi units.3 to officer on attachment to the Iraqi Police. Regards, Owain

Hi, Not sure if the silver box is truly niello work rather deep engravings which have darked over time. Of the three Qassem period badges - centre and left - commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the 1958 Revolution. Regards, Owain

Gustav is still working on his draft on Zanzibari awards and has had some additional input from Kevin Patience. No doubt the draft will be published but not in the immediate future. Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, I agree with Ed - only one grade of medal although, two manufactured types are known. I have had the regulations translated as below. Owain. <H3 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </H3><H3 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">No. (33) Year 1983</H3> Law Wounded Medal First Article - This medal (wounded medal) is awarded to all military officers and commanders and those issuing orders wounded in battle whilst correctly carrying out their orders. Second Article - This medal is awarded or withdrawn by the President of the Republic. Third Article 1 - The decoration is spear shaped, 3cm in length and 3cm in width and bears a five-pointed star with arms of 1.5cm in length. In the centre a crescent and the letter ?Jim? in Kufic script. 2 - The decoration is red with a gold star. The crescent is on a white background with the letter ?Jim? in green. 3 - The medal is linked to a ribbon 1.5 cm long and wide, being divided into three equal divisions ? to the sides red and in the middle white. Fourth Article - The medal is worn on the right side next to other orders and medals. Fifth Article - This law is enacted with effect from 4/9/1980. Sixth Article - This law will be published in the Official Gazette.

Gentlemen, From my records and to further enlighten, confuse and frustrate because I certainly don't have all of these and whether the Order of the Palm and Crocodile actually really exists..........great name though. Regards, Owain: SUDAN 19th CENTURY<H1 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"> </H1><H1 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">Order of the Palm and Crocodile</H1> <H3 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">SUDAN DEFENCE FORCE</H3> Gallantry Medal Native Officers Decoration Long Service & Distinguished Conduct Medal General Service Medal <H4 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">REPUBLIC</H4> Chain of Honour Sash of Honour Order of the Loyal Son of Sudan Order of Political Accomplishment Order of the Revolution Order of the Alliance Order of Victory Order of Persistence Order of National Unity Order of the Constitution Order of Regional Government Order of Military Accomplishment Star of Military Accomplishment Order of Accomplishment<H5 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Star of Accomplishment</H5> Order of the Republic Order of the Two Niles Order of Distinction Order of Bravery Order of Long and Distinguished Service Order of Meritorious Service Order of Production Order of Science and the Arts Order of Sports Evacuation Medal Medal of Independence Medal of Duty Medal for Bravery Long and Distinguished Service Medal Medal of Merit Medal of Educational Hierarchy. <H2 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">Bibliography</H2> Ordres, Decorations et Medailles, M.B. Baghdadi, Khartoum, c. 1955? Decorations & Medals Act 1961, Republic of Sudan Gazette. The Decorations, Medals, Robes of Honour & Religious Robes Regulations, 1962 Order of the Palm & Crocodile, James Peterson, O.M.S.A. Journal April 1964. Sudan, The Order of Two Niles, O.M.S.A. Journal, January 1967. The Decorations & Medals (Amendment) Act 1974, Republic of Sudan Gazette, 1974.The Sudanese Orders, Decorations and Medals, Precedence, Conditions of Award & Instructions for Wear, The State Protocol Department, 1980. The Sudanese Orders, Decorations & Medals, 1983 Supplement. Owain/Sudan/sudanlis.doc

Off the top of my head the left hand five appear to be: Badge of collar of Great Badr of Saudi Arabia - but need to check my records Lybia - from ribbon Order of the Republic Order of Renaissance of Jordan Order of Omayyad of Syria Order of Merit(?) of Mauretania The left hand lot all appear to be other African Orders - the top one Order of the Nile of Uganda? Regards, Owain

Paul, I've tried to upload the image but the site is limited to 65K and the image is some 400K - any suggestions? Cut & paste doesn't seem to work either. Owain

I hope the edit has clarified the actual Egyptian medals

Gentlemen, Further to pictures of Arafat's grave I detail below his awards as carried at his funeral parade in Cairo - firts published as an article from JOMSA. Amidst the plethora of reports and pictures of Yasser Arafat's funeral the above photograph was published in the Gulf News of Saturday, November 13, 2004. As the formal funeral was held in Cairo it is perhaps not surprising that all of the awards displayed are Egyptian and they are, from left to right, as follows: Top Row <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: kashida; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA: 0%; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1">Military Medal of the Republic?? 1st/2nd?? Suspension looks strange?? <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: kashida; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA: 0%; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1">Military Medal of Courage (Gilt = 1st Class). <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: kashida; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA: 0%; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1">Order of the Republic, 5th Class. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: kashida; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA: 0%; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1">Mobilisation Medal (Silver = 2nd Class).Military Duty (Gilt = 1st Class).Bottom Row <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: kashida; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA: 0%; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2">Training Medal (Gilt = 1st Class) <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: kashida; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-KASHIDA: 0%; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2">Military Duty Medal (Silver = 2nd Class)Wounded Medal. When were these awarded? Whilst Yasser Arafat was always seen in uniform, this uniform was devoid of decorations or ribbons and usually bore only a number of badges or pins. A brief search on the internet resulted in only a little information concerning awards presented to Arafat. The earliest mention I could find regarding the presentation of an award was in the Associated Press report of July 1994 covering the move of Yasser Arafat from Tunis, which had been the Headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organisation since 1982, to the Palestinian self-rule areas. To mark the occasion Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali awarded Arafat Tunisia's highest order, "in recognition of the just struggle of the Palestinian people for their homeland and in appreciation of your bravery and wisdom".In August of 1998 the ZA Now Electronic Mail and Guardian noted that during a state visit to Republic of South Africa President Nelson Mandela invested Yasser Arafat with the Republic's highest honour, the Order of Good Hope, normally reserved for foreign heads of state. The above awards though are senior orders and awarded to Arafat as the leader of the PLO whilst the awards in the photograph are military decorations usually the preserve of Egyptian military personnel. In correspondence with fellow member Chris Weeks a partial answer may be suggested. In the first biography of Arafat, Thomas Kiernan's "Yasir Arafat: The Man and the Myth" (1975), the is reported: Arafat was probably born in Cairo in 1929 or 1930, and lived much of his early life in Egypt, although he was not an Egyptian citizen. He became active in early Palestinian guerrilla groups in 1949 (mostly as a student leader), and in October 1953 he led a group of Palestinians to the Suez Canal Zone, hoping to join the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood guerrillas fighting against the British. The Brotherhood wanted nothing to do with Arafat's group, and they returned to Cairo. In due course the Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser began to more actively support Palestinian guerrillas in Gaza, and such support included providing equipment and training from the Egyptian Army. Arafat enlisted in the Egyptian-backed Palestinian fedayeen in June 1955. Trained as an explosives expert, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant around October 1956, just before the outbreak of the Suez War. During this war, he was called into service with the Egyptian Army. (Kiernan does not specify if it was as a Palestinian fedayeen augmentee or a regular Egyptian soldier.) He was assigned to a demolitions unit based in Suez City, apparently a mixed Palestinian-Egyptian unit, and tasked with destroying British posts along the southern part of the Canal. Most of his forty strong unit deserted as soon as war broke out. With his three remaining troops, Arafat blew up an Egyptian ammunition depot on the outskirts of Suez City - totally unnecessarily as it turned out, because the depot was not under threat from any of the British, French or Israeli forces. During the (November?) ceasefire Arafat was mustered out of the Egyptian Army, with the help of friends in Egyptian intelligence, who had other plans for him. Ironically it might have been at this time that Egypt may have 'qualified' for him some if not all of these medals for destroying an Egyptian ammunition depot! Arafat may not have been received these medals immediately, and only had them awarded many years later, when he was more prominent, and Egypt could bend the rules about which medals he really earned. Owain Raw-Rees, With thanks to Chris Weeks, Riyadh, November, 2004.

Lorenzo, I will check which version the 1st clas exapmle I have is. Mine, purchased in 1994, came wityh a narrow black, white and red ribbon as if to be worn araund the neck but from recent evidence this is incorrect - do you have a source for Iraqi ribbon? In addition to this medal I also need ribbon for 1941 Star 1973 War Medal Order of Qadissiyah Saddam x 3 plus miniature Order of Mother of Battles Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, I believe that the Order of the Republic was a Qassem period award established in 1958 and becoming obsolete on his overthrow. I think in this picture Saddam is wearing the Order of the Revolution instituted in 1982. Regards, Owain

Two observations: I believe included in the mounted medals is the British Africa General Service Medal - presumably he saw service with the Kings African Rifles during the Kenyan Mau Mau conflict. In an number of the photos he is wearing a striped tie - could this be a KAR regimental tie? Regards, Owain. P.S. When I lived in Jeddah his house was near to the British School and periodically he would attend trade promotions and walk off with all the free brochures and hand outs. At one stage he was admitted to a local hospital with some minor complaint and a Scottish nurse who I knew refused to treat him - she was threatened with dismissal and still refused - the hospital backed down.

Thanks Megan. I am drafting an article on those awards made to various parties during and after the civil war and it appears that following the conclusion of fighting the President awarded some independence medals - and these are being worn by a few UK personnel - I have seen a modern group including this medal. As to the how and why my contacts are still chasing........... Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, I am looking for an image, obverse and reverse of this medal - I've tried OMSA, Google, Yahoo, etc., but to date no success. The obverse is the head of the Queen and the reverse is the arms of Sierra Leone - ribbon is a combination (three equal stripes?) of blue, green and white. I need this for a submission to JOMSA - full acknowledgment will be given. Yours in hope, Owain Raw-Rees

Lilo, Yes the medal with the green and white ribbon is the medal of the Order of Mohammed Ali - same ribbon for both classes. I note that the VC was won in early 1918 and thus I would suggest that the award of the Egyptian medal reates to one of his periods in Egypt. As Ed states the award of this medal should be noted in his records. With regard to the Mohammed Ali Commemorative medal this was authorised just before King Farouk was ousted by Neguib and from what I recall from conversations with Mr. Bichay, who manufactured this medal, whilst it was not discarded, only a few were manufactured. I cannot at the moment recall why there are two versions - with and without laurel wreath suspension - possibly only one type was approved. Even after the monarchy was abolished the medal was retained - there are pictures of Nasser whilst President wearing this medal in his group of awards. Regards, Owain

Gentlelmen, I seem to recall that the medal of the Order of Mohammed Ali, instituted April 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel, - in Gold and Silver - was presented only for highest bravery to naval and military personnel - I need to check ther statutes. It predates the institution of the Military Star of Sultan/King Fouad (1919) and thus the institution of the latter may have made the Mohammed Ali Medal obsolete. Could the award of this medal have been an acknowledgement of the VC action? Both the gold and silver medals are on display at the Abdine Palace in Cairo. I do not recall ever seeing these medals for sale - at least during the last 20 years or so. I have the good fortune to have some ribbon - all I need now is a medal.....wishful thinking I am sure. With regard to the Mohammed Ali Commemorative Medal - two versions exist - with and without a larurel wreath suspension. Regards, Owain

Hi, The is the "Decoration of Military Duty" for the "United Arab Republic" - the date is 1959 not 1909. This presumably became obsolete when the UAR ceased in the early 1960's when Syria withdrew from the union. When I get home later I'll check my collection to confrim the ribbon colours. This general series of awards can be differentiated between Egyptian and UAR versions by the dates, the variations in eagles/hawks and isncriptions - and possibly even suspension bars Regards, Owain

Hugh, Good morning from Riyadh. This would appear to be a Saudi medal/medallion but not one that I have seen during my time here in the Kingdom. The image is indistinct - perhaps you can attach clearer images of both the obverse and reverse. I have a sneaking suspicion that because of the style of the integral suspension loop that it is is a commemorative or souvenir medallion. Is the disc contemporary with the ribbon as the metal ring conjoining the two appear to be poor quality. A mystery. Regards, Owain

Ahhhhhh, if only......... As an aside the bust of Faisal I on the order is the same as that used for the currency series during his reign......but I stray into numismatics - a field in which I tread warily. Now off to a Bastille Day at the French Embassy in Riyadh - ho hum a glass or two of vin in Riyadh is not to be missed. Owain.

Ed, The image is correct - I have one with the green ribbon but there is a black (or red) ribbon version for military recipients - I would need to refer to my OMSA article on Royal Iraqi awards for details. Owain

Ed, The group you refer to, I think was an RVM, WWII, Faisal Coronation and Rafidain Medal to a British Butler at the Iraqi Embassy in London. I have bid twice for this group over the past 10 years or so but I believe that collectors of the RVM have deeper pockets! Another scarce piece, and I have no illustration, is the Air Force award instituted by King Ghazi - hens teeth indeed. Oh and whilst I'm on line what about an ASM with the clasp "Euphrates 1936" - dream on........... Owain

Oh and Ed, further to your "hint hint", I have an embryonic plan to pull together something "up to modern times" thus monarchies, etc., up to circa 1960s coups and revolutions being , as it were, end of "Part One." Owain

Ahhhhhhhhh ..... and Order of Faisal the First would be nice. Actually I am surprised that one has not surfaced for sale. In almost 18 years of being in the Middle East I have not seen one for sale either locally or by auctiion in the West. The two I know of are the set you have referred to in the past and the one on display at the King Feisal (Al Saud) Institute here in Riyadh. To my mind it should be not be quite as scarce as it appears to be. I have seen numerous photos of the opening of Parilament with various worthies bedecked with awards including the OoF and I am surprised that one hasn't appeared fon the market. Going back to the Rafidain, the junior medal, instituted by Faisal II, is also scarce and whilst not particulary valuable, it is again an award which has not appeared for sale. I don't believe that this award was carried over into the Republic. Regards, Owain

Ed, Thanks for you kind words. I would even dare to suggest that $2,000 is excessive. Obvioulsy I come from a collecters perspective and thus, as do all collectors, begrudge pay over the odds and at current exchange rates this equates to one thousand pounds which by any stretch of the imagination is too much. When buying orders and medals in the Middle East (which is difficult enough anyway) as a bench mark I refuse to pay any a UK dealer/auctin house would charge the UK. Whilst collectors usally are not collecting to invest, at least not in the shoprt term, there is no point in buying something out of Baghdad which if you tried to sell the next day in London or New York which would realise an immediate loss. Of course there are exceptions and I have in mind British issued awards to local units e.g. Aden Protectorate Levies, Trans-Jordanian Frontier Force, Iraq Levies, etc. where it is the scarcity of unit and not the award itself which impacts on the price. Some years ago, 1996, whilst in Cairo I was offered a group of mounted Royal Egyptian Awards consisting of a Nile, Military Star, 2nd issue Khedive Sudan, WW1 Trio, Osmanie, Medjide and Belgian Order of Letters for $4,000. I didn't have the money (and still don't!) and explained to the very sociable vendor, lots of tea drinking etc., that the probable value then was perhaps no more the $2,000 to $2,500. He politely agreed, but observed, "Well, it's stock and paid for. If I wait long enough someone will pay what I want......" The inference was that the someone would more than likely be from the US! Regards, Owain

Personally I am of the view that the Rafidain generally is overpriced. The best quality pieces are the Garrard Monarchy issues - the Bertrand/Huguenin issue Monarchy and Republican are not quiet as good. I would suggest if you canot afford or don't agree with the price pass on it, as sooner or later another will appear. The Order is not one of the 'holy grails' of the Arab world. I suspect dealers are hyping the price on the basis that sooner or later someone with deep pockets wil cough up the asking price. American military personnel are no doubt chaasing all Iraqi militaria as souveniers.Najaf, whilst have good pieces for sale, do make a tidy margin. Compare the hammer prices on items they purchased at the Morton & Eden auction of the American Numismatic Collection with their asking prices now - this is not a criticism but an observation applicable to most dealers - they need to make a living like everybody else. Now a really scare modern Iraqi piece would be the Order of the Republic instuituted by Qassem in 1958 and lapsed after his overthrow or the jewelled Order of Qaddisyiah Saddam from the Iraq/Iran War and its later transformation in to the Order of the Mother of Battles. Of course a breast star of the Order of the Hashemites would be nice...... Regards, Owain