TacHel

The brothers purchased Postcard booklets in France which they used to keep detailed journals of their time at the front. These are also included.

The set includes the Belgian and French award citations for Major Laviolette.

Both officers' commissions. One Victorian (and in French to boot! Can't be that common!?!), the other George V.

Also included are these 2 medals which I am unfamiliar with. And the 2 Mother's Crosses as set on their mother's rosaries...

These are his brother Alexandre's medals, MC, BMW and VM.

The reverse of the MC and the 2 European awards.

Major Lambert Dumont Laviolette's set include: -Military Cross (named to major Laviolette). -1914-14 Star (named to lieutenant Laviolette). -British War Medal (maj). -Victory Medal (maj) - Odd that there was no MID. -French Croix de Guerre with Palme -Belgian Civic Medal All documents are included in the set, including the major's original 1869 Victorian officer's commission!

As you can see, both had earned the Military Cross.

I was asked by one of my squadron mates to appraise a set of WW1 medals from his wife's family for insurance purposes. I really wasn't expecting what I saw, this goes way above my talents. Below are the 2 sets to brothers who both earned the Military Cross and who died in combat in WW1, both were French Canadians from the province of Quebec. I understand that in the UK, this might not be that rare, but in Canada and more particularly in French Canada, this is about as rare as it gets!! Both were officers, one in the 22nd French Canadian Battalion (later to be the Royal 22nd Regiment, the "Vandoos"), the other if I read it correctly was in the 80th battalion out of Nicolet Quebec. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3030-1242953512.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3030-1242953518.jpg Lambert Dumont Laviolette & Alexandre Laviolette

Here are the 4 "original" ones... Medal though to gold.

No, but a ribbon different from the Honour Cross ribbon so we can tell the difference when only the ribbons are worn. Seems every single Bundeswehr ribbon always has the national colours. A little variety wouldn't hurt don't you think? I didn't know that... Hmmm... Thanks for that info! :cheers:

Do Cossacks join the regular armed forces or do they form their own units?

Your new finds never cease to amaze me... Always of the highest quality!

I think a modernized "Pour le M?rite" would be great! (Apologies, I'm no graphic expert... ) They could even have it in different grades (chest and neck). Maybe one day?

At the very minimum... They could've at least changed the bloody ribbon!

Thank you for that bucket of cold water... (No joke) That was really required to prevent a tangent into never land. A very good point that was omitted from the start. You do however agree that the award is, shall we say... Extremely poor. I'm just trying to imagine a member of the Bundeswehr being presented with this "thing" upon his return from Afghanistan following an act of courage in combat. It doesn't even compare to cheap costume jewelery!

A valid point. Still, it's a shame that a nation's symbol for valour was so atrociously perverted by a dictator over a mere 6 years when you consider it's history dating back to 1813. When one thinks of military valour, the VC, LoH, MoH and Iron Cross immediately pop into mind. But you're correct, history and politics will most probably never allow it to be reinstated. And I do agree that some other awards would be great if reinstated. But how would one choose from the dozens and dozens? Bavarian Order of Military Merit? W?rtemberg's Wilhelm's Cross? Saxon Albrecht Cross? I wouldn't want to be the one having to pick through the multitude of great choices available. Would a reinstated and modernized "Pour le M?rite" be well received as the bundeswehr's top award for valour? I think it would be awesome! Or how about a modernized Prussian "Milit?r Verdienstkreuz"? By "modernized" I mean replacing the Prussian eagles by the modern Bundes Adler. And possibly changing the ribbon. The red painted honour crosses just don't cut it... Not even close. I can only imagine how a deserving member of the Bundeswehr feels when presented with this "after thought" of a pseudo decoration...

They recently changed that. They now paint the outer part in red... (Not impressed!) http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3030-1242661965.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3030-1242661975.jpg The history of the Iron Cross predates the horrors of WW2 and IMHO it should be reinstated. Really sad that some people cannot differentiate between valour in the field and politics...The French Legion of Honour and British VC were also bestowed during "somewhat questionable periods", yet these countries recognize the difference and have retained these awards.

I have the listings of just about every single pre WW2 and WW2 Luftwaffe unit and I find no unit designation beginning with "V1". Are you sure about this? The only other possibility I can think of is a manufacturer's code used prior to delivery to an operational unit... But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

Nice set! Even if only minis, the document really adds a great touch.

OK... I found out a lot after a short search (which I should've done in the first place). Wikipedia on Cossaks Another site Russia's Cossaks rise again! Wow! Read this article!! Armed Cossacks pour in to fight Georgians It's like the last 100 years never actually happened... "...Under Russia law, Cossacks - the descendants of runaway serfs and outlaws who in the past were employed to protect the country's southern border - are allowed to carry arms and carry out policing functions in cooperation with interior ministry forces..."

You'll forgive my ignorance on the subject... Are we talking about a distinct ethnicity here? Or simply "tribal"? (for lack of a better word). Religious?

Like I said, drop Tony an e-mail. He's incredibly helpful. He'll tell you exactly what to do and might even direct you to the parts you require.

Go to this site Kaiser Bunker Drop Tony an e-mail, he's the web master and owner of everything on the site. Prepare yourself for a shock! It's an absolutely INCREDIBLE collection.

S-U-P-E-R-B! :jumping: