paul wood

Very nice group, nice to see everything kept together with the cases. Any details of his wartime service. Paul

I believe the large medals are worn from the neck, the small ones on the breast. Paul

Aha saw one of these a few years ago, at last I know what it is. Paul

Avsar, All you need now is a mint state 3rd and 4th Class Sava to put in the cases. Paul

I suspect it's one of those large gold or silver award medals, which one I'm not sure, there are about 8 with the same ribbon Paul

Absolutely fantastic Nick, all you ever needed to know about Manchukuo awards but were scare to ask. Paul

Fantastic, The medals turn up not that infrequently but to have a nicely hallmarked piece in case of issue really takes the biscuit, what a present better than the crap socks and underwear I get for my birthday (what with the 2 miniatures you have been very lucky, perhaps you should be like the Queen and have two birthdays a year). Paul

All Russians are Saints! I agree Nick, it's mainly those who come from former Soviet Republics that are the problem. Paul

First is a State Militia badge, Nicholas II issue, very common. The other I suspect is for attaching to a cap and bears the Cypher of Alexander I. Really all one can say. Paul

So the last buyer was from Russia but didn't pay. Not the first time such a thing has happenned and possibly not the last. Unfortunately while the vast majority of Russian buyers are prompt payers there are still a few who don't understand that buying something involves actually parting with money, not just being the highesr bidder. Paul

Its the Cross of Merit of the Central Lithuanian Army, given to those who fought for the Liberation of Wilno from the Russians with General Zeligorski in 1920. It was awarded to Military and civilians for acts of bravery in the field, established in 1922 it was awarded until 1926. The government of Poland adopted it as a national decoration, the central disc on the reverse should be nuumbered. Your example does not appear to be so. As such it may be a copy or at best a specimen. Paul

Looks like a cast to me in silvered metal, I have something very similar in the fake trays. Paul

Thanks for clearing that up. These pseudo decorations seem to spring up like a swarm of locusts. I am sure if I wished to get some awards given a few bob I could get a chestful. Paul

Tudor Tucker was commisioned in late 1897, he was a Queen's India Cadet at Sandhurst, Tirah was his first blooding, after that anything else was easy, by 1901 he was with the political service working in the civil administration and was still in the political service in 1913. He died of Typhoid in Dera Ismail Khan in the Winter of 1917. Winter in the NWF was not pleasant and many British and Indian troops sucumbed to disease (I have a group to a a former missionary who was with the IMD who succumbed at Bannu in a similar manner). At the time of his death he was Political Service, attached to the 21st Punjabis. I am sad to hear this is the last of the medals as you have regaled us with so many pearls. All the best, Paul

Kerry thanks for that. Paul

I found this on the internet, may be relevant. The Federation des Combattants Allies en Europe (FCAEE) (The Allied Forces in Europe Veterans' Federation) was created in France in 1968. Its brochure states that its aim is to maintain the bonds of friendship forged in the second World War between members of the Allied forces, resistance fighters and deportees as well as with veterans of the Algerian and Indochina wars. The leaflet reveals that in 1971 the FCAEE was coupled to the Interallied Military Organization Sphinx (IMOS) which had seen the light of day two months earlier and whose president was colonel Poziemski (13). The honorary president was "General" Zdrojevski, (14) "former commander in chief of Polish Forces in France during WWII and former chief of Polish resistance in France." The sheet continues "its second honorary president is British General Sir Collin Gubbins, Chief of the Special Operations Executive during the war". Its president, colonel Poziemski also heads the "National Association of Polish War Veterans" (ZUPRO) as well as the "International I.M.O.S. Academy" of which he is international deputy president. The pamphlet goes on that "the Federation has placed itself under the patronage of two famous but now deceased American generals, Eisenhower and Patton for whom medals have been struck. The Federation has created the Medal of Europe divided into three classes: these three grades are proffered according to the other military awards held by the individual. The lowest grade may be awarded to individuals for distinguished service to the Federation and may include authors Paul

Amazing stuff Nick, I look forward to the resolution of technical problems (not included in the 5 year plan) and look forward to more great pictures after my weekend technology break. Paul

Reasonably early, 3rd quarter of 19th century. Paul

It was posted 5 November 2012 in CMIC topic Serbia Kingdom medal Bar on Ebay (sorry no good at doing links). Not the first piece mentioned but a topic that evolved through postings. It is very nice and looks 100% kosher At least I know that senile decay has not attacked my memory. Paul

I thought I had seen it on this site a few months ago (or at least a Serb group with a Military Cross). Paul

What a group and what long service. The medal that comes first is the second one illustrated, the India General Service 1854-95 with clasps Umbeyla and Jowaki, Umbeyla was a particularly bloody campaign it took place between October and December 1863 against Muslim tribes in Sittana on the North West Frontier,over 900 casualties were sustained and it was the worst bloody nose that imperial forces received until the Tirah campaign over 30 years later.The Jowaki campaign took place between November 1877 and January 1878, this was a punitive expedition against the Jowaki Afridis on the North West Frontier and was virtually bllodless mainly involving road building. The second Medal, First illustrated is the Second Afghan War Medal 1878-80 with clasps Ali Musjid and Kabul. The first clasp was awarded for the capture of the Hill fortress of Ali Musjid 21 November 1878, the Kabul clasp was awarded for operations at or around Kabul 10-23 December 1879. L.H.E. Tucker served nearly 40 years in the Bengal army, commissioned in December 1860 he retired with the rank of Major-General 27 April 1899. The miniatures are particularly nice and both the large medals will be named on the rim, a classic Indian Army group. All the best, Paul

All Serbian, After the Military Cross, Milosh Obilich Medal "gold", Milosh Obilich Medal Silver, Albanian Retreat Medal 1915, Medal of Military Virtues, Serbo Turkish War 1912, Serbo Bulgarian War 1913, 1914-18 Commemorative. I am sure we have seen this group before. Paul

Missed this one, must have been when I was with her ladyship who insist on minimal technology, computers verboten, mobiles switched off and no televison before 7pm, radio only. Any Idea what they made assuming they were kosher. A first class NC Anne with swords is excesively rare and would only be awarded to somone like a Jap General and if right ought to be worth in excess of £100,000, the Stan should be £50K or so. Unbelievable. Paul

Again a likely presentation to a member of the Royal Household during the President of Germany's visit. It would be worth trying to find out the name of the recipient, her position in the Royla Household and find out of the seller has any related paperwork. Paul

It is the Silver Merit Medal of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, It is aboslutely right and in it Cejalvo case of issue and should be made of silver. The provenance seems logical it is the sort of decoration that a member of the Royal Household would have received during the visit of the Spanish head of state and I the date given appears to ring true. As to value not huge but certainly at least double the silver value and maybe slightly more. It is a shame it has been seperated from the award document which would confirm the provenance 100%. Whish I could find such thing in car boot sales, all I ever find is pure unadulterated junk. Nice find. Paul