James Hoard

The prices for German and European publications reflect the quality of the product. They are usually "top" notch in terms of printing, binding, paper quality and pictures. Even when they are printed in Italy, Turkey or Thailand they do not suffer in these aspects one bit. I have never quite understood how a country like Thailand can produce such top quality books in what to them are totally foreign languages, but India cannot. I received another Indian publication from Delhi yesterday. Again, there are places where the printing is ghosted, the paper quality is very poor, common words are not spelled properly and the binding is weak.

Hello Artan Thank you so much for your kind post of the pictures and of the comments. All very useful indeed. Can anyone identify the orders he is wearing in the last picture, in addition to the Black Eagle breast star? I can identify the two bottom most stars as the Italian SS Maurice & Lazarus and the British GCVO. The top far-right badge may be the Austrian Order of Leopold. But what is the star in the middle? Russian perhaps? The badge worn on the necklet looks very curious and interesting also. Cheers James

Vespasian Thank you for your kind post. I have decided to put off my purchase until I have a chance to see a copy at the British Library and have a chance to go though it. Always best to thumb through a book before buying. The book definetely sounds as if it may be over priced. Cheers, James

922F Many thanks for the informative posting. Cheers, James

It seems that the first breast star, upper left, and the sash belong to the Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Rumania. This order had been conferred on the prince in late 1913, shortly before he accepted the sovereignty of Albania. Since he had close connections to Rumania through his wife, eventually settled there and became a Rumanian national, it seems appropriate. I suspect that the Black Eagle insignia were probably not available by 7th March 1914, when the picture was taken on his arrival at Durazzo. Now, I wonder what the unusual third breast star at the bottom is? Cheers, James

922F I am sorry to say that I am still confused. Here are a couple of pictures which may explain what I mean. The Albanian Order of the Black Eagle, Grand Cross breast star as given to Khedive Abbas Hilmi II of Egypt. A larger version of the picture of Prince Wilhelm of Albania mentioned in the post (with three stamps) The badge worn on the necklet is clearly the Johanniter Order. The first small badge on the medal bar appears to be the Prussian Order of the Crown. The second breast star, upper right, is clearly the Cdr GC of the Swedish Order of the North Star. Which breast star are you saying is the Albanian Black Eagle? Cheera, James

I googled a little and found the rank being mentioned in cases of the militia and volunteer battalions during the early peiord of the twentieth century (1900's) in the case of a contemporary history of the Connaught Rangers. The Irish DF also seems to have or had the rank. My pure guess is that the RWAFF, being a very big "unit", may have had both ranks. Perhaps the RSM was a European. The guess is based on the fact that when Nigerianisation was being considered in the late 40's and early 50's, the usual procedure employed elsewhere of commissioning existing talented NCO's to officer rank could not be done because their educational standards were too low. Cheers, James

PK, As far as I am aware, the London Gazette is the official organ of the state where all official appointments are published and is not, therefore, run by journalists. Any entries concerning appointments or award of decorations would have come from the Army itself. While the LG is certainly not free of errors, it would be strange if exactly the same error occurred eleven years apart. Only my guess, but given that the first entry has B.S.M. followed by "(Battalion Sergeant Major)" suggests that the author surmised that a fuller explanation was called for. Cheers, James

I know this picture isn't very large, but I would still be very grateful if anyone could take a stab at identifying the orders and decorations he is wearing. I gather that the broad sash and first breast star are not the Albanian Order of the Black Eagle from http://www.royalark.net/Albania/albania2.htm Cheers, James

PK, Are you sure he was RSM in 1928? His LG award notification for the MM of 16th April 1942 says Warrant Officer Class I (Battalion Sergeant-Major). Ditto with his promotion to Captain, also in the LG which says "B.S.M. Chari Maigumeri, M.M., B.E.M. (R.W.A.F.F.) is granted the hon. rank of Capt., 31st July 1953". Cheers James

I find it impossible to follow what you are saying. The fifth post has no picture whatever. The fifth picture is a hand coloured postcard of marching soldiers and officers, one of which could be the prince but too small to make anything out. You may mean the sixth post, a postcard print of a photograph of the prince with three stamps. If so, the top left star he is wearing has no similarity to the 1st class breast star of the Albanian Order of the Black Eagle. Neither is the sash, since the dark coloured edge stripes are themselves edged with white or light colour. If my posting is of a re-touched photograph then I would be grateful for an identification of the actual orders and decorations in the untouched version. If you do not know what they are. Fine. Say so and we need not trouble eachother any more. This game of cat and mouse where one is perpetually trying to squeeze blood out of a stone is not for me. Thank you. James.

Strictly speaking one should say that "... he was made a Companion of the (Most Eminent) Order of the Indian Empire ... " As currently worded it sounds like the chap received a fellow member of the order at a party to celebrate the King's birthday! Cheers James

Alas, that site does not tell me anything more either. In none of the pictures does he seem to be wearing the Black Eagle. The arms of the first class star and badge were fully enamelled in white (unlike the lower classes which were enamelled red) and the ribbon was either black (or a very dark blue) with scarlet stripes towards the edge. Cheers, James

Can you say where the original untouched version of the photograph may be seen? Is it on the web or in a book? Either way, could you please be kind enough to state the reference. Thanks everyone for all the comments so far. Cheers, James

Certainly not. Only the fourth class of the Order of the Carnivorous Forest Voles of Juxta (sic!)-Nistra Dontatkreuz would ever be worn on a medal bar. Although that class also has a releief bust of a chap resembling a Civil War cavalie,r with long hair and facing left, but most telling of all is the little pimple on the end of his nose. Any fool can see that in the case of the Earl's badge, the fellow does not have a pimple on his nose. Anyway, all classes of the Dontatkreuz order are enamelled green and white, never black and white. One generally posts what one has. Cheers, James

Emmanuel, Many thanks for posting this rare decoration. In Lesotho only the highest order, The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe, has a sash and is equivalent to a Grand Cross award. All the others have the highest class as Knight Commander with breast star and badge on a necklet. The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as the supreme dignity of the kingdom. Conferred on citizens of Lesotho and foreigners for distinguished leadership, particularly in the political sphere, in a single class (Knight Commander-KMDOM). The Most Courteous Order of Lesotho: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as the principal order of the kingdom, conferred for exceptional services by citizens and foreigners. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KMCOL, 2. Commander-CMCOL, and 3. Officer-OMCOL). The Most Loyal Order of Ramat?eatsana: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as an award for distinguished service by members of the public service, armed forced and police. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KCOR, 2. Commander-CMLOR, and 3. Officer-OMLOR). The Most Meritorious Order of Mohlomi: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 as an award to recognise achievement by the fields of community and social service. Awarded in four classes (1. Knight Commander-KMMOM, 2. Commander-CMMOM, 3. Officer-OMMOM, and 4. Member-MMMOM). The Most Gallant Order of Mokoanyane: founded by King Mosheshoe II in 1972 to recognise extreme acts of gallantry and bravery by members of the uniformed services and civilians alike. Awarded in three classes (1. Knight Commander-KMGOM, 2. Commander-CMGOM, and 3. Officer-OMGOM). Since the Order of Mohlomi has a Member class, the Officer grade with be equivalent to OBE in the British system. The English titles given in Werlich are all a bit of eye-wash. He has taken the mottoes which appear on the insignia of the various orders and turned them into names. Like saying the Victoria Cross is the "Order of Valour" or the Order of the British Empire is the "Order of God and the Empire". The Sotho names have completely different significance. Mohlomi, for example, is the name of a famous chief who taught the young Moshoeshoe the art of compromise, self-restraint and self-sacrifice, compassion for the poor and justice for the powerless. Mokoanyane, was a brave and heroic chief of Nguni origin and Moshoeshoe's famous general. Cheers, James

Paul, I have him listed as CIE 3.6.1935. The CBE may be an error. Cheers, James

Dear All, Here's a picture I found of Prince Vidit I (Wilhelm zu Weid), Sovereign Prince of Albania for six months in 1914. He wears an interesting array of medals on his upper chest. One of these is obviously the Medal of the Order of the Black Eagle, but what is the cross and the second medal. The upper breast star appeared to be the Turkish Order of Osmanieh at first glance, but then I noticed that his has too many points. Doesnt the Osmanieh only have eight? The lower star appears to be the Swedish Order of the Polar Star, which he received in 1896. Any identifications and/or comments very welcome. Cheers, James

Yes indeed. The Australian VC is made by the same outfit that make the British VC and from the same ingot of gun metal. The only difference as far as I can see is in the name and in who is responsible for selecting recipients. In all other respects it seems to be identical. Though, no doubt, there may be a republican or two who will explain at great length that the crown appearing in the design is not a crown at all, but an ancient upturned basket device, used by the Torres Strait Islanders to collect sea-shells. The lion is actually not a British lion but a stylised dingo from a cave painting in Deena Reena. No use mentioning democracy to republicans. They lost the vote but don't accept the outcome. As for Aboriginals, I once listened to a republican debate in which they were saying the Queen could not be Head of State because she did not speak with an "Australian" accent. It soon became very clear that an "Australian" accent was not found amongst Aboriginals or immigrants from Italy or Asia. Such folk are simply "used" by the republican lobby, their real intentions are much less wholesome than the pretence.

Good Lord what a lot of urban myths abound in your post. One has to be careful about equating the IDF with the TA. Each of the regular IA regiments had Territorial battalions to which Indians belonged as officers and men. The IDF were really a reserve force in case of the second mutiny which never came. Even though the IDF were mostly composed of Europeans, several units in the more cosmopolitan areas of India included Anglo-Indians, Parsees and even a few Royals from Indian princely states. There was no Teaplanters Rifles in the IDF. There was the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps, but they were not part of the IDF nor was Ceylon ever part of India. I don't know about English upper classes. Mostly British "middling classes" would be a better description. People who could only afford to lead an upper class lifestyle in the empire, never at home. Cheers, James

Sorry Lilo, that is the best I have. I think the last may be the Saxe-Ernestine House Ordrr with Swords. Cheers James

Ferdi the Fox was hardly foreign. He was a Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, though from the Catholic branch of that family. The Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Dynasty ruled in the duchy itself, but also rovided the ruling dynasties of the UK, Portugal, Belgium and Bulgaria.

I do not know for certain one way or the other. That is why I posted the picture, so that you could work it out yourself.

Here's a picture of the Earl of Athlone, then Prince Alexander of Teck, at about the time of his marriage, ca 1904. Perhaps you will be able to spot the medals you are looking for. Cheers, James

Major-General The Rt Hon The Earl of Athlone married, while HSH Prince Alexander of Teck, Duke Carl Edouard's sister. But the marriage only took place in 1904. His wife, HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone lived to a great age and attended the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, having attended all the Jubilees since 1887. She used to be very close to her brother but, of course, she and her husband remained in England while he went to Germany. He husband had a distinguished military career, received the DSO during the Boer War and the CMG during the Great War, became a Major-General in 1918, and later served as Governor-General of both South Africa and Canada. Please note that Earls and above should nout he termed "Sir", even though, for some reason Debrett's Peerage insists on using this incorrect style. Earls and above were classed as Princes and had this in their most formal style. Dukes were styled "The Most High, Noble and Potent Prince (Christain names only), Duke of (place name)". Earls and Marquesses have similar styles but I cannot quite remember them without looking up some references. Cheers, James