Marco Gollino

2 more examples of the previously discussed medals, also without ribbons unfortunately

Hi guys

Desperately looking for an officer class of L'Ordre National du Zaire (military division) if anyone has one they'd like to sell?

Thanks

The famous photo of I.A. Maisels being hoisted aloft at the end of the treason trial, in which 156 people, including Nelson Mandela, were eventually found not guilty

Israel Aaron Maisels QC

Sir Sydney Kentridge QC said of him,

"Issy was undoubtedly the greatest advocate I have seen in action in any court in any jurisdiction in which I have practised"

Israel Aaron Maisels, QC (1905 – 1994), regarded by many as the leading advocate in South Africa over period of more than 60 years at the Bar, was one of the most influential lawyers of his generation. Particularly after 1948, he acted for people prosecuted for their political beliefs, or who were imprisoned, assaulted and tortured because of them, and he is remembered as leader of the defence in the famous treason trial (1956 – 1961). For these reasons he was never appointed to the bench in this country. His reputation was not, however, only as a fearless defender in human rights cases. His awesome courtroom skills in all manner of prosecutions and legal proceedings earned him international recognition as one of the very best lawyers anywhere. Maisels’ name is to be found on briefs for cases that have made their way into public memory, as well as legal history but for ‘Isie’, these were simply a matter of business as usual.

The Star (5/5/84) reported: "History was made this week at a ceremony in the Royal Palace, Maseru, when Mr Israel Aaron Maisels was made Commander of the Most Meritorious Order of Moh- lomi, one of the highest awards in Lesotho". Here is a photo of him receiving the award:

In WW2 Maisels had served in the SAAF and was involved in the interrogation of Italian POWs.

In 1989 he also received the Presidential Order of Honour from Botswana (pictured below with his WW2 medals). He passed away in 1994.

MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA ON THE DEATH OF ADVOCATE MAISELS

9 December 1994

President Nelson Mandela has learnt with sadness of the passing away of Advocate Israel Aaron Maisels. A humanitarian at heart, Advocate Maisels was a courageous opponent of racism and injustice. He was on of the most outstanding lawyers South Africa had ever produced. Yet because of the system of apartheid and the vindictiveness of its captains, his talent could only be fully realised as a Judge outside South Africa - in Botswana, Lesotho ad other neighbouring countries.

We fondly remember Advocate Maisels as an energetic and brilliant lawyer between 1958 and 1961 in the so-called Treason Trial, and as a person of profound knowledge with whom we consulted on a variety of issues, especially after our release from prison in 1990.

Democrats in South Africa and Southern Africa shall sorely miss this outstanding son of our people. Our nation is the poorer without him.

Our heart-felt condolences go to his family, relatives and friends.

Rest in Peace

Issued by: The Office of the President

I am desperately looking for an example of the Order of Mohlomi, Commander class (The medal Maisels is wearing around his neck in the first photo) to complete this amazing and historically important group. If anyone knows where I can get one please let me know.

Thanks.

Hi Gary

Sorry I did not see your reply until now!

Thanks very much for the link - I contacted them and they were very helpful. I've managed to buy a yard of each of the ribbons I was missing and they are currently on their way to me!

Much appreciated.

Cheers,

Marco

Hi all,

I've had a bit of luck - I found a UK website( www.worcmedals.com ) that has a selection of 30-40 US medal ribbons for sale (not all the ones that I'm looking for) but I should be able to get the remaining couple from a friend.

Thank you to everyone for your help and suggestions.

Cheers,

Marco

Hi guys,

Sorry for the delayed reply on my part. Thanks for the suggestions.

Rick, I tried that but unfortunately none of these websites seem willing to sell lengths of ribbon. It seems strange to me, because as you mentioned they seem to sell every possible badge, patch, medal etc....huge stock lists (for example USAMilitaryMedals.com) - they just don't seem to want to sell ribbon per length. I've tried several now and they either don't respond or tell me they're sorry but they can't help with my request and have no idea who would be able to.

At the moment my only option seems to be Ed Haynes suggestion - and no I'm not currently a member As I don't usually collect US Medals (this is a once off job) it seems silly for me to join the OMSA just to have access to the ribbon bank. I just can't understand why US ribbon is so difficult to get hold of - surely there must be someone who sells it?

I even asked a collector friend of mine who is currently serving in the US Army and he didn't know of anyone selling the stuff either.

Thanks,

Marco

Hi all,

Are there any websites where I can buy lengths of ribbon for US medals?

I have a group that I would like to mount for display myself, but I can't seem to find anywhere where I can buy ribbon to do the job.

I've tried several of the big US medal mounting websites and they all say they can't help me.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Marco

Hi Chris,

It was all in one packet and the story behind it is that it all belonged to one guy, so I'm as sure as I can be based on that.

The guy who sold it to the shop (where I bought it) said he picked it up from the man himself, so I am trying to follow that lead too and see if I can get his contact details and maybe those of the recipient. No luck as of yet though but keeping fingers crossed.

Is it a french style name tag ? Or does it look iffy?

If you can ask on a legion forum I would appreciate it alot.

Thanks. Cheers,

Marco

Hi Hendrik,

Thanks very much, it was driving me crazy!!

What are my chances of finding info on this guy, or a photo ?

Thanks,

Marco

Hi Chris,

No wonder I couldn't identify that last ribbon!

Are there any websites/resources with rolls or citations or anything like that? How would I go about researching him?

Thanks,

Marco

2:

Thanks,

Marco

Hi guys,

Can you help me identify the stuff in the picture? I think I've managed to identify all but the last medal on the ribbon bar (which is proving highly frustrating!)

1:

From what I've read, the badge is that of the 6th Light Armoured Division, and the epaulettes are those of a Lt.-Col. ?

Any idea how I would go about researching it?

Thanks in advance,

Marco

Hi all,

A friend has asked me to enquire here if anyone can help point us in the right direction as far as Italian Badges go. Does anyone know of any resources (be it books/websites or other) that can help in identifying Italian badges? Anything at all?

Thanks,

Marco

Thanks Jim - good idea.

Re your other question: the reverse looks identical to the front. See below:

Cheers,

Marco

Medal close-up:

Thanks again to everyone who helped me.

I finally have the medal to go with the certificate. Here's the result!!

Thanks - PM sent.

Marco,

I am trying to look up your father's award online. Could I have his full name. You can PM me if you do not want to show this on the thread.

Thanks

Jim

Hi Jim,

It was the grade of Cavaliere (Knight)

Thanks,

Marco

Marco,

Which grade of the order was bestowed on your father? I might be able to send you a link or two by PM in the case of officer or commander if that helps.

Regards,

Jim

Hi guys,

Thanks very much for the quick replies.

As my dad's one was awarded in the 80s, I now know for certain that it must be the earlier type he was awarded. As mentioned, I've got the certificate and the letter from the consul, and luckily I have found a website with one of the old type for sale. Probably easier all round if I buy that one - I'm assuming they weren't named or numbered in any way?

Thanks again!

Marco

Hi,

Are there any collectors of Italian orders out there who could clear this up for me?

When did the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana change from the old version to the new version? i.e. which year?

My dad was awarded one but only received the certificate (we think his family in Italy lost the medal). Trying to figure out which type he would have been given - so far the local Italian consul has been no help at all :/

Also if anyone knows who I could write to or email that would be great too.

The old one:

The current one:

Thanks,

Marco

One from my collection:

Medals to Sgt Head Wuranda, SCR, BCR

The Rhodesian General Service Medal is named to R44758 Pte. Head. The Silver Cross and Bronze Cross are unnamed examples, added by myself for display of what his full medal entitlement looks like. The RGSM appears to have been in a fire, at first I assumed that the other 2 medals had not survived. However, I have since located them in another Scout collection, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

----

One of the true legends of the Selous Scouts, Head Wuranda was the holder of both the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia and the Silver Cross of Rhodesia - one of only a handful in the Rhodesian Army to ever achieve this and, together with fellow Selous Scout Trooper Rangarirayi, were the two most highly decorated non-commissioned officers.

In 1975 as part of a team tasked with crossing into Mozambique via the mine belt to capture a FRELIMO commander, disaster struck:

"A sickeningly loud explosion erupted in a fountain of earth amongst them, temporarily blinding those nearest to it and showering all of them with debris.

For Bruce the next few minutes were an eternity, while he peered through a night lit only by a feeble moon, appearing fitfully through the clouds, to determine if a grenade had been tossed at them, or if someone had stepped on and detonated a mine.

When nothing further happened, he braced himself and moved slowly back through the breach until he found Lance-Corporal Wuranda crumpled semi-conscious on the ground. The lower portion of his right foot was missing, blown off by an anti-personnel mine.

It did not need spelling out, The passage through the minefield had not been properly cleared by the Engineers and at any moment another mine could go off? Then, after first aid had been administered to Lance-Corporal Wuranda, the whole patrol gradually moved back one step at a time into Rhodesia, literally stepping in Bruce's footprints.

Lance-Corporal Wuranda was casevaced to hospital where the lower part of his right leg was amputated" (Pamwe Chete by Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly, pg 159-160).

However, this did not stop him and after having an artificial leg attached, he was soon back on operations with the Scouts.

"In November 1976, we received bad news. Sergeant Head Wuranda, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, who had been with the regiment since its inception, had been kidnapped by insurgents while on leave at his home village in the Nyajena Tribal Trust Lands near Fort Victoria.

Every effort was made to find our man. We sent in pseudo callsigns and the Rhodesian African Rifles sent in men too, but nothing was found. Unconfirmed stories indicated that the insurgents had captured and walked him, artificial leg and all, to Mozambique as a prisoner."(Pamwe Chete by Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Reid-Daly, pg 339-340).

His body was never found and he was never heard from again.

Thanks for the pics Eric, some lovely items you have there.

Cheers,

Marco

Nice collection you have there. Alot of medals there that I hadn't seen before (some of the Homelands ones for example). Thanks for displaying them - good job!

Enjoyed reading this thread

Recognise some of the faces (hi James )

Very interesting - keep it coming!

Cheers,

Marco