paul wood

The interest today in Iraq seems to be mainly concerned with the current problems. However, this whole area has been in conflict for over 7000 years that we know of ! During WW2 the Allied Forces were very active in the area of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon - one such unit was the famous Indian, Scinde Horse - in tanks for the war. This picture will be part of a posting for the medals of Capt. M. Gilbert - (British and Commonwealth Medals) however, it clearly shows The Regent of Iraq and His King - only a boy at this time. Perhaps someone can give us details of this young man - and did he ever reign in his own right ?

From left : Lieut. Mike Hamilton. Scinde Horse ; The Regent of Iraq ; The King of Iraq ; Capt. M. Gilbert, Scinde Horse.

Taken in June 1943 at the ROWANDIZ GORGE, Nth. PERSIA.

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

Hello,

This very nice photography is ''big enough'' show the wearing of these five ''Spangen'' :

Gravelotte - Saint Privat (August 8^th) ; Beaune la Rolande (November 11^th) ; Metz (October 27 - capitulation) ; Beaugency Cravant ; and Vionville - Mars la Tour (August 16^th - Rézonville).

These bars correspond to the 10^th Prussian Army Corps, in addition to the bars Orléans and Le Mans (missing here)..

I have not exhaustive information on this corps, but I have noticed that the Füss-batalion from the 3. Hannover. infantry regiment n° 79 (20^th infantry division), has not taken part in the battles of Orléans and Le Mans.

So, that old fogey could be Hannovrian.

Truly Yours

Cussonneau

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

Paul

But a GVI issue?

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

Start with the 1891 census, although you may have to eliminate some names (hope the name isn't Smith).

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

sorry but there is no number will put some picture of the medal and naming up tonight sandy

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

Paul

Neat!

The Halifax explosion and devastation is frightening to think about. They heard the bang in Portland, Maine-@ 600 miles+ away.

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

It's Masonic.

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

Paul

wow!

Very interesting .

Thanks-

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

Westfalische Auktions Gesellschaft, auction 51, september 2009, contained 2 colonial campaign madels: http://www.wag-aukti....de/auktion-en/ click top left „online catalog", click Auktion 51, click Medaillen, click Kolonien, scroll lots 2491 & 2492.

The two medals, with text „Den tapferen Streitern für Deutschlands Ehre", differ only in size.

Lot 2491 ( http://www.grafficse...=2494&typ=popup ) is 27,8 mm and is described as being for coloured. Reference given Slg. Grönegreß 1235, Hüsken 11.11 a.

Lot 2492 ( http://www.grafficse...=2495&typ=popup ) is 32,5 mm and is described as being for whites, Reference given Slg. Grönegreß -, Hüsken 11.10 a.

My question is if these two different sizes do indeed indicate difference of race of the receiver or if there is some other reason why they differ in size.

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

The Trio is named : 88-13220 Pte. A. J. BRUCE A.V.C.

My apologies - when these are dirty it is hard to see the initials - with a big glass, I can see that it is A.V.C. - not A.V.G. - I'm still not sure of unit -could it be Armoured Vehicle Corps ?

Interestingly, he has a Defence and War for WW2 - privately named to : Sgt. A.J. Bruce. 1477415 R.A.

Thankyou for previous suggestions. Mervyn

AVC Army Veterinary Corps

Paul

Paul - fascinating, I've never seen one before. Do you think it was mounted - there appear to be 'bumps' on the sides ?

Bjorn - You should find a current value from Christie's or, Bonham,s and insure it if it it so rare.

Specimens like this were never mounted they were gilt and placed in glazed lunettes. A set of 4 in gold , comprising Candahar Ghuznee Cabul, Kelat-i-Ghilzie, Jellalabad Flying Victory and Meanee-Hyderabad, presented to the Duke of Wellington were sold by Morton and Eden, 3 Oct 2003, lot 583, having previously been sold at Sotheby's 2 July 1980. Specimens, as they were not issued to any recipient, tend to make considerably less than the awarded pieces, probably as little as a few hundred pounds whereas my specimen awarded to the 43rd NI cost many times more.

Hope this is of help.

Paul

What you have is a glazed gilt specimen of the Khelat-i-Ghilzie medal which was produced as a presentation piece originally with a full group of Afghan medals in a leather case. The awarded medal is one of the scarcest of British campaign medals, I have the priviledge to own one, with only 932 awarded, these mainly to Indian and Afghan troops, the fort withstood a siege of 4 months with virtually no casualties. If you can't have an issued piece this is not a bad thing to have as it was produced at around the time (probably a few years later).

All the best,

Paul

Assam Rifle Volunteers?

Paul

Here's a rare one I just pulled from my collection. Thought I'd share it before I sell it and it's gone forever. It was presented on March 6, 1937. I'd consider on the extremely rare side with only a few given out to certain Japanese families and diplomats from the Turkish emabssy in Japan.

And awarded to a female. Very nice. Any more information about the disaster.

Paul

I think it interesting to see how the style of wording has changed over a 47 year period. On the 1891 version all wording is on one side and initials - such as F.D. and Brit. Reg. are used rather than the full words. The 1844 boldly states ' VICTORIA BY THE GRACE OF GOD ' on the

Head side and on the reverse Britain's Queen and Def. Fid.(Defendere Fidelis) 'Defender of the Faith' - a title granted by the Pope to Henry 8th.

Dear Mervin,

Both the coins appear to be very well circulated and as such tend to retail at about £15 each.

Interestingly the 1845 crown also has the regnal year VIII meaning it was struck prior to the June of that year and your coin was struck following June.

All the best,

Paul

I have just returned from a lovely fortnight in Madeira. The first full day I was there I went above Madeira to Monte to see the "5 Gardens of the Emperor" which is where the Emperor Karl lived from November 1921 until his untimely death on 1 April 1922. I was I must admit quite surprised. I was the only visitor there. The garden where quite nice but neglected in places, some of the out buildings have been restored and photos related to the emperor placed on the walls,. The main house however is in a fairly ruinous state and is borded up, the only part restored is at the rear and is used as a public lavatory (taking the Pxxx literaly). It seems such a tragedy that some money cannot be found to restore the house to its former glory. Surely it's a project which Austrian and EU funds could be used for. It is a shame that it seems off the tourist track and if it was better publicised I am sure that more people would visit it. The church where his funeral took place is packed with tourists. I would be especially interested if Christian has any ideas.

All the best,

Paul

I couldnt believe that one just sold for ?5800 on ebay! i will be studying my change from now on!

I suspect that E-bay will be awash the blighters. Friend of mine had one in the pub and a colleague of mine has two. I suspect the price will decline somewhat.

Paul

Hallo Dragomir

thank you for your help do you have any information on why it was made or the time period?

Kevin in Deva.

Probably a commemorative piece issued in 1903 for the Accession/Coronation of Peter I following the defenestration of Belgrade.

Paul

This order was made by a wide variety of manufacturers in both France and Vietnam, hence the quality of pieces varies a lot (as do the boxes of issue). In general the pieces made by French jewellers are of higher quality than the pieces made in Vietnam.

I have never seen a case for an Indo-Chinese one. The cased ones I have seen have always been in standard French cases. If anyone has an Indo-Chinese case I would be interested in seeing a picture.

All the best,

Paul

:rolleyes: You most definitely do not want to buy medals to Indians from the Raj period, terrible investment, honestly.

Paul

hmm, i found this picture of a new breast star on the internet?

the ornament holes in this star are continuous and exactly the same in shape and size. In my medal these ornaments are irregular in size and shape so my medal other than this one is handmade. I read that the old versions of these medals are all handmade but i have no clue when they changed to produce them mechanical? this information would help to at least reduce the time frame of these medals.

1960's or later, can tell by the case.

Paul

?and back.

and the topic description should say "which class" not "wich". sorry but I'm not native english?

thank you

a l e x

Alex of this type there is the Grand Cross Special Grade, Grand Cross and Commanders neck badge with star, so yours is in effect third class.

All the best,

Paul

You are right first French, second locally made. Whenconferred by French authorities to French citizens engaged in service in Cambodia white with orange edges, when conferred by Cambodian government red with green edges. Effectively a French colonial order so arguably should be placed in French forum.

All the best,

Paul

Thank you Paul!

So you think the one above is French made an the other one was made in Indochina?

I love this Medal and the Dragon of Annam for there fine design!

I also mentioned that there are different ribbon colors used on these medals the one above is green/red/green and the other one is yellow/white/yellow, is there any meaning in this to?

Sorry for my curiosity but I'm very interested in the history of cambodia and all of indochina as I traveled laos, cambodia and vietnam so many times.

cheers

a l e x

PS: As a relatively new user of this forum I was not sure to post this under french or SEA, so I was looking on the OMSA site where they placed it. I hope this is ok cause I love this site and really wanna play by the rules...