IrishGunner

I don't think he meant that the medal was earned on the Thor - only that this was PO1 Marr's ribbon bar when he served on the Thor. He then would have earned the medal prior to reporting aboard the Thor.

It has a certain reserved dignity to it I think. I agree - a nice bar showing honorable service - and some history.

Noor and I were having a great discussion the other day in GMIC chat about the medals and history of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers; so, I thought I'd post my only pair to the Regiment for further discussion if possible and warranted. I've done no research as of yet; but have learned from Noor that Pte. Cyril S. Cullum (41358), enlisted 29 June 1916; transferred to the Royal Irish Reg; discharged 14 May 1919; entitled SWB. (PS: I tried to do a rim shot of the name, but haven't perfected this technique.)

Petty Officer, First Class

National Defense Service Medal with star means he probably was on active duty 50-54 during Korean War (but no Korea service) and 61-74 for Vietnam War (but no Vietnam Service - although the AFEM could be for VN service prior to 65). So, a career sailor with his only campaign being recognized by the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and his unit being recognized with the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. Let's see...I'll guess he was on a ship during the 1961 Cuban Missile Crisis. The first operation that was entitled to the AFEM. Another possibility is that he was on a ship in 1968, during naval operations in defense of the USS Pueblo, which was seized by North Korea. No Vietnam service though...so maybe those early actions aren't plausible. With that many oak leaf clusters on the Navy Good Conduct Medal I don't think it would be later - he would probably have some other individual award. I'd go as late as 1975 and the The Mayaguez incident.

Nice photo. Serious looking young man.

Chris, have you read anything that explains the reason behind the regulation location for the EK1 being the lower left side. Always seemed an unusual location to me... Any reason other than this was the traditional place for breast stars?

Man, you can almost feel the history of that EK1. Electric.

F.A.B 260 would be FussArtillerie Batterie 260 A really nice card and note in my opinion.

Pretty good condition from the Somme too! :whistle:

I don't have the actual history - thought if you were away from internet and needed something simple, I could do a simple search for you.

When it was worn by Michael Jackson while holding his baby out of a Berlin hotel window?

Something specific you need? Or basic info? I can go a quick search for you if need be...

Yes, a good news story for such a historically significant - unique - group. Nonetheless, to play devil's advocate; while possible - it is not by any means certain, that the the group would be split if sold to US collectors. As a US collector, I find that part of the article just a bit disingenuous. Just because the items were physically located in the US doesn't mean British collectors - or German - or any nationality - could just as well buy and split the group given the world-wide nature of auction houses etc. Why not just say "collectors" in the article without a modifier? And even then, I think it's not certain it would be split up; I would expect the price tag would attract a true collector from anywhere in the world who wouldn't even think about splitting. But that's not the most salient point I'd like to make - it's a double-edged sword for us, isn't it? We see this as good news (and again, I agree in this case it is); however, if families didn't offer their ancestor's awards for sale we'd have almost no hobby would we?

Nicely done - and I was impressed at first with the fish and chips. I too like that ribbon with the mini-EK device. The look of a real veteran. What song did you have to sing? :whistle:

Splitting a group does not destroy anything but the continuity of the group. You still have a whole helmet or whatever. I agree with Chris - destruction of the document isn't necessary to collect the autograph. It's just simple idiocy. I don't suffer idiots too well.

I'm not an expert, but the 94th Air Squadron patches look a little too well made to my eye to be WW1 era. The 94th has existed since WWI as a unit - and still exists today in the USAF; these could be from a later period or even be souvenir pieces. Considering the lineage and Rickenbacker connection, I'd expect a single original 94th Aero Sqdn WWI era patch to go for more than $70 a piece. Like I said, I'm not an expert, but I think this falls into the too good to be true category. Only one I can find online - and it's round. Looks a little more original, but then again; one never knows for sure. (Original site is an auction site with hidden "sold" prices.)

Oh so true about buying/bidding when you see it and not waiting for the "right" moment. The stories we all could tell would be a blog all it's own. Better luck next time.

Jens is spot on with the Bavarian identification - the Bavarian artillery didn't go to the ball on the helmet until 1916. The field piece appears to the be the 7,7cm Feldkanone 96 a/A (alte Art or old type). Most added a shield and a new recoil system in 1904 to become the FK 96 n/A (neue Art or new type). Some 96 a/A remained, but I would guess these were in not in active regiments. The 96 a/A were more likely in Landwehr units; I'm not a Landwehr expert, but this doesn't look like a Landwehr unit to me... So, I'd say one of the 12 Bavarian Feldartillerie regiments and put the date closer to the -5 years that Jens suggests; right around the turn of the century. Definitely pre-war. And as Jens suggests, probably an annual maneuver picture. Is there anything on the back?

I stand corrected about the Garter - you are right; that's the one just under the medal bar. St. Patrick is the same shape, but the center is the giveaway for Garter. But isn't the Bath the one around his neck? So, I still say the one below Garter is Thistle - because of it's shape. Now, the one you are asking about - on the right side; I am a bit dyslexic in this regard. I was looking on the right side of the viewer - not the wearer. Now, that "fern like" object is harder to discern, isn't it?

If you are talking about the star just under the medal bar; isn't that the Order of St. Patrick? If you are talking about the lower star, I think that one is the Order of the Thistle. Scotland's order. Thistle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Thistle St. Patrick: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Patrick Both are listed in the Duke's ODM's in his biography.

Well, Noor has an eye and a knack for getting the really sweet items. So, I won't be surprised. :catjava:

A VC? Now that would be the luck of the Irish. :P

Great shot showing them putting the ribbons into their buttonholes.