TacHel

Is this really where the "gun run" originated?

Wow! This is worthy of a book! The amount of information and artifacts you have amassed is simply amazing! I read every single word and am thirsting for more. The historical importance of the event goes without saying, your research is absolutely spellbinding. Thank you for sharing! And seriously consider publishing your findings!

I have also found variations such as these 2 below. Notice the top of the badge which is similar to the old Soviet design instead of bearing the flag of Russia.

Those of you that collect Soviet breast badges might be happy (or not) to learn that the various badges for excellence instituted for the most part in 1942 are being once again manufactured. BUT... The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are NOT bestowing them to deserving personnel. These are unadopted prototypes! Below is but a small sample of available badges on the market.

I'm no expert in Austrian ODMs... But isn't he wearing his awards backwards? :unsure:

Wow! His children will be pleased as punch with this info that they didn't have! Let me wholeheartedly thank you on their behalf! :D

Hi Ed, Plating, or dipping medals as you call it, was and is still very common in Canada. And BTW, Alexander is on a dais! Our recipient was 5'10''...

The crown is just coloured thread. I have his rank insignias also for the frame. I'll ask her if she has the actual citation for the BEM and get back to you ASAP.

I can't help you on the crowned badge but the wreath with wings and star is a miniature of French air force pilot's wings.

Sorry to possibly disapoint you but this is a normal patch made to be worn on civilian clothing.

Can anybody tell me approximately when this was produced? Where? By who?

Here are 7 variants of the "M?daille des Bless?s"

A great picture of the President's Regiment colour party with the Regimental Standard.

Here are 2 more models of the "m?daille des bless?s"

No doubt some of you have noticed the FSgt isn't wearing "CANADA" shoulder titles. His entire service was spent in Canada where this was very common during WW2, only when transferred overseas would most airmen slap on the "CANADA" on their shoulder patches. Another bit of info. Viscount Alexander is decorating mister Mercier in one of his very first official duties as Governor General of Canada.

Below are great pictures of the recipient. The gent decorating him in 1946 in none other than Field Marshal the Viscount Alexander.

I'm presently framing this set for the friend of a colleague at work and thought I'd share it with you gents. A WW2 RCAF set to FSgt Joseph Mercier of Montreal Quebec.

FYI, Canada customs checks about 1 out of every 7 packages that comes into the country. A few things that will make your life MUCH easier in the future. -Insist that the shipper place a customs declaration on the parcel, this saves a lot of problems! They won't even open the package if a declaration is on it, unless of course the Xray shows the contents to be completely different than the list. -Marking the item as a "gift" often saves you the customs fee (GST). When/if you receive the parcel with customs requesting more money than the actual worth of the item, it is because they will slap an automatic $500 to $1000 value on militaria that isn't properly identified on a customs declaration. This has happened to me in the past, mailing them the receipt or a print out of the eBay page resulted in me receiving a full refund in the mail within a week. I've received countless parcels from all over the World in the past 30 years, I've only run into minor problems when the parcel didn't have a customs declaration on it. Mind you, I've also been extremely lucky that most of them were in between the "every 7 checked". :rolleyes:

Sounds like a family affair... Things that make you go "Hmmmmmmmm..." I love stories like this. Great stuff!

Patch worn on the right shoulder of the uniform. Flag of the Russian Navy.

Salut Christophe! I said "decorations"... (higher than medals) And Christophe is right, some medals (very few) are also numbered such as the Interior Ministry's medal for combat service in the Caucasus.

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Ceremonial Guard.

More pictures of the President's Regiment Ceremonial Honor Guard. The 4 pics below are from the unit's own web site (courtesy of the Russian Government).