Gldank

OK, let me take some pictures and post them here shortly.

These palms look French made. Remove the "A" and you have a French CdG Palm! Interesting!

I just got a nice engraved group of a soldier KIA in the PI late in the war also. Would like to compare notes for battle info! James

Well, the historical importance of the Battle of the Yser is twofold. First, Germany did not manage to defeat the Belgian army and knock Belgium out of the war. Second, the German failure to occupy the last corner of Belgium helped to conclude the Race to the Sea and contributed to the establishment of the Western front. For the Flemish the struggle of the Belgian army to hold on to its territory during the remainder of the war, and especially the experiences of ordinary Flemish foot soldiers, led to an increased Flemish national consciousness in the then overwhelmingly Franco-dominated Belgian society. A great medal awarded for a bitter campaign. Maybe it should have been issued in gilt.

The answer is NO but if you have the money, you can do anything...

Very nice Tim. I really like theses medals too. The green tint is a coating applied to the medal rather than turning that way due to age. Makes the medal and cross look rustic. I also have several Flemish medals and crosses in my collection. Here is one.

Yes, I agree as I have over 1000 of these wrap around lapel pins.

Pin backs

I never thought of these things a cuff links. I always thought they were lapel pins. Here are a few of mine. Many different types and many makers. I have several grave markers if anybody needs pictures of these too. I live in the country away from many collectors so I do not often get to show others my collection.

Most likely the attachment pin broke off the back and the Vet did not have a replacement so had it reattached with thread. Are there holes in the ribbon behind the sewn palm?

You may be right but the sample you linked me to is a flat topped dome. Mine is fully domed which is hard to see on my sample view from the top. Mine is fully domed like the the smile face in this email. Thank you.

And, let us not forget the Leo III...

Here is a raised bubble double Albert. The "A" sits on a raised dome. It is my favorite of the different samples in my collection.

I thought so too but this is the way I received the medal from Belgium many years ago.

Actually my sample has one gilt bar and four silver bars. Color fading with age and patina. Ribbon attachments for this medal include: - Front Bars were awarded for frontline duty, the first silver bar- one year's service, subsequent bars for each additional 6 months. On gilt bar replaced 5 silver ones, - Red enamel cross for each wound stripe, - Black bars for POW's - Crossed Anchors or Single Anchor for Navy personnel and fishermen (Single Anchor only if they had also received a Maritime Decoration). - a crown for volunteers - Members of the Expeditionary Corps to Russia received a bar "1916-R-1917" or "1916-R-1918." I was told that my sample came from a fisherman who became a gun runner during the German blockade. Should have a POW bar also because he was captured later in the war. I lost the fisherman’s name long ago in my collecting but remember that he had also received a British medal of some type too. Darn, I wish I could have researched this one.

Here is one of mine.

These medals were mass produced, different alloy combinations, and different manufactures. This is no surprise to me. Many countries did it throughout history. Every single one in my collection looks different. Well, this is my take on the subject.

Don't get me wrong Tim, this is a very good book and a must in my opinion for the Belgian collector! Let me check with my connections and see if in fact I can procure a copy of the book at a lower price. I paid $40 US for mine some time ago and thought that was high until it was in my hands. Once seeing the contents, the research value became extremely apparent! Although a solid reference in my mind, I have not found a reference on Belgian orders and medals that meets all your standards above. Trust me, there is a real need for one now! Years ago, I sold off my German, British and US collection to concentrate on Belgian historical and militaria at the consternation of my American collector friends. You have a lot of questions regarding Belgian official medals? Try their un-official medals! No reference material at all! I enjoy your interest and posts here on the forum. Keep up the interest and questions. Gosh, this is fun!

Wow! What a price! Is that what the book brings in now! I will sure take real care of my copy! I may need to look into translating the book into English.

Yes! That is the book. Great infor there for the Belgian collector! They are getting harder to get.

On this medal, the ribbon tends to bleed colors. The ribbon is made from a rough woven material (not silk) that appears oily or waxy. If exposed to the sun, the ribbon tends to dry out and fade. But, I have seen samples that were once framed or stored in indirect sunlight bleed their colors. My feeling is that since so many of these medals were produced, the manufacture use cheep materials for mass production. I have several samples in my collection that have bleeding ribbons. James

The top center red ribbon is the British Military Order of Bath. I have a senior US General Group that has the same ribbon. With the LOH next to it, it all makes sence.

Yes, for Belgian collecting, both books are a must!

I have many in my collection too. They are different due to different manufactures.