paul wood

It has the post 1900 Imperial crown. Paul

Without a doubt Findlandsky Life Guard Regiment (Patrikeev 3-1-13). Paul

Brian Robson's book Crisis on the Frontier is a superb book for the 3rd Afghan and is also very good read as is his book on the 2nd which at the moment the title escapes me. For the 1st Flashman without doubt. All the best, Paul

The "No Returns" says it all. It seems the site is a rogues charter which in many ways undermines the honest people selling decent items. Paul

Nice Colonial mounted Group turned up in auction at Morton and Eden 3 Oct 2003, EK 1914, 14-18 commemorative, Colonial Medal 5 clasps Togo 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, SudwestAfrika 1903-04, SWA medal 4 claspsHereroland, Onganjira, Waterberg, Omaruru, made nearly £1,000 then. Paul

Most definitely wrong, whether an old unofficial issue or a modern copy I cannot be sure but any similarity between the illustration in Diakov and the illustration of this piece is purely coincidental. All the best, Paul

3 and 4 Wei Pei Fu Sharpshooter medal. All the best, Paul

Ghazi was 27 when his open top sports car hit a telegraph pole, while of no great age hardly a young boy. Paul

Ah the blessings of an English public school education.

The officers badge has the crown enamelled the Knight's badge does not. Paul

The officers badge has the crown enamelled the Knight's badge does not. Paul

First is the Tsao Kun Inauguration October 1923, the second is the Wei Pei Fu award for distinguished qualification to the Military School. All the best, Paul

1 has the centre missing but I suspect it is a provincial commissioners medal early 1920's possibly Chili province, 2 is the silver medal for the inauguration of president Tsao Kung in October 1923. 3 and 4 are provincial rifleman's awards from the same province and 5 & 6 look like presidential inauguration medals. My hunch is that they are probably good. I assume that 5 and 6 have something on the the other side if possible a scan of the reverses would be interesting. All the best, Paul

Slight mistake in info given his father Ghazi died in a motor "accident" in 1939. Paul

Faisal II was six year old when his father King Ghazi was killed in a motor accident in 1941. He was educated at Harrow in england returning to Iraq in 1952 and assuming the throne in his own right in 1953. He was murdered in 14 July Revolution of 1958 by General Kasim Qarim's men bringing the 37 year old Hashemite dynasty in Iraq to and end. Paul

I suspect the old girls hat is one of Lilenthal's experiments in gliding that went slightly wrong. Paul

Darrell Very unlikely but not impossible some government workers until post war worked well past the past the present retirement age, rural postmen amongst others he could have been serving in Afghanistan aged 18 and still delivering the letters aged 78, basically especially pre war as long as you were healthy (or had money) you worked The medals with the greatest longevity are the MSMs. I have seen a Burma 1885-87 with a 1949 MSM. He was lucky to survive to receive it. Paul

I have seen quite a few Boer War Great War ISM groups, usually to Prison Officers who were originally recruited from the services. So yes in theory it is possible to have an Afghan and ISM. A sergeant who retired at say 30 in 1882 and joined a branch of government service could have received the ISM (type 1) in around 1910 although have never seen one. All the best, Paul

Try the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, Hants PO4 9PX they are usually very helpful. Paul

Michael, Congratulations. Probably the most interesting story I have heard behind what is basically one of the most humble decorations of the British Empire as you say usually issued to lower ranks of the Civil Service as a retirement present, All the best, Paul

Should be transferred to the masonic forum probably a positive id there. Paul

Absolutely superb puts bones on the official histories. Paul

Rick, I would agree with you, All the "Native" issues I have seen are in virtually mint condition which would suggest that they are unissued specimens. British medals to Africans(especially the AGS 1902) often look as if they have passed through the digestive tract of a wildebeest. It would be interesting if any forum members have seen any obviously worn native issues of the Colonial medal. All the best, Paul

My understanding is the smaller ones were issued to native troops while the normal size were issues to white troops. The native issue is somewhat scarcer. Paul

AVC Army Veterinary Corps Paul