peter monahan

Several possible explanations come to mind. The first is that he was attached to French troops, possibly colonials, and did some noteworthy service, either gallantry or distinguished service. Several recipients of the Black Star for the WWI period include a Belgian fighter ace, a balloon buster, and an American army officer who worked on ordnance and armaments in France. Neither had any connection to French West Africa nor, in the strictest sense, to the French Army but presumably were recognized for general 'service to the Allied cause. Your man may be a similar case. The second explanation is slightly less flattering, but only slightly. The Allies tended to 'swap' awards, sending round lots of decorations with the suggestion that they be given to deserving souls. I once owned a group to an Indian Army cavalry officer [37th Lancers] who got the Roumanian Order of the Crown with Swords for WWI service. The explanation, offered by a fellow officer of the regiment, was that he didn't quite qualify for an MC for some brave exploit, that the Roumanians sent round a basket of gongs to the British at Christmas and that this was his consolation prize, so to speak. Has a frightening ring of plausibility to it, IMHO, and there are certainly examples of awards by Allies to others who had clearly had no links, direct or otherwise, to the Allied nation making the award. Perhaps as simple as a newspaper or gazette entry or MID catching the eye of a French general. So there are two theories. I'm sure there are more. Hope it helps. Peter

Grimble Just noticed your reference to ordnance work. There are lots of possible explanations but if he was enlisted as an officer that implies some education or professional training and its possible he was involved in mining in BC, with knowledge of explosives, or something to do with chemicals [gas]. If he were i foirestry, BCs other big industry, I'd expect a transfer to the Cdn Forestry Corps instead. Interesting puzzle!

There was for many years in the '60s and '70s a Canadian Army officer who was entitled to wear an Iron Cross for his WWII service if he chose to. I'm not sure he ever did, but he was fairly well known. There were, of course, many German Jewish scientists who were recruited for war work in the UK, at least a few of whom were initially rounded up for potential internment when the war began. Your man probably had little difficulty convincing the authorities that he'd be no help to Hitler in the Aussie Army!

Could be. I may be wrong but by the time I saw them out here in the colonies, I recall there being a price attached. Possibly re-sales? That's a looong time ago and I've been hit on a head a few times since then!

And so you should be! If 'awesome' weren't such an overworked word I'd say it was awesome. Fabulous seems to fit. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks, Paul

Yes, I recall them coming out about the time I was in univ - mid/late '70s - but never bought a set as I had no $ and what I did have was saved for real badges. Quite possible brought over by a trooper or sent to him by his mom.

Kit I assume that opne was custom made for the memorial. What size crown do you need? In bronze, like this one?

Even thought they're lions and not wolves? Interesting. Thanks for the ID.

I suppose one can wear the medals any way he wishes, if he's back in civvy street and not too fussy about protocol. Having said that, I doubt I'd keep the 'original mounting' were they mine. Done up proper, with either these ribbons or new ones would add immensely to their eye appeal. [thumbs up]

Father and son, or older and younger brothers, perhaps? I think I see some slight resemblance, but that may be wishful thinking.

The Gazette's own search engine was notoriously cranky and the new one seems worse. I'll adopt Micheal's trick, I think, in future.

Paul That can't be the original mounting! He, whoever he was, would never be allowed to wear them like that in uniform or even I suspect, in a Legion parade! WWII medals to the Indian Army were issued named but I'm not sure that would apply to British officers attache for the duration originally from non-IA units. Certainly not if the medals were issued in the UK.

The unit is still in existence, using Scimitar and Spartan AFV, most latley in Afghanistan, so in theory, any time from 1902 to the present but I suspect WWII or shortly after, possibly as part of the British forces in Germany, which would explains its presence in Hungary.

Yes, that seems like pretty conclusive evidence! Thank you, Chris.

That was my thought as well, Tony. I believe Muckaroon was wondering whether any of the Vic Medal mavens had come across this before.

This is inspired by the article on malaria mosquitos and their effect on the British at Yorktown. A chap told me of some recent metallurgical of metal buttons worn by Napoleon's soldiers. Apparently their composition would have made them extremely brittle in very cold temperatures. Perhaps one cause of the loss of the Russian campaign was the necessity for the Crapaud's to hold their pants up [and coats closed] while fighting and marching, after their button popped off. I have NOT traced down this story yet, but thought it worth sharing in a light hearted vein.

Cool!

The 1924 Indian ARMY List lists a Subadar Muhammad Baksh, 2/2 Punjabis as having been awarded the IDSM on Sept. 8, 1922 but this may not be the same man at all. Sepoy to Subadar would be a big jump in 4-6 years.

Kit This may have been custom made for the memorial it is on. What size is it?

posted on her Facebook page by a friend of mine after our weekend in a WWI reenactment.

Just came across "Schlanke Emma" or 'Skinny Emma' for a 305mm howitzer, with shells weighing some 380kg, manufactures by Skoda. Also typical soldier humour!

I agree - not at all helpful for we oldsters used to the old regime!

On a related note, I think, there is a Canadian artist/writer/actor chap who has begun a project to remember ALL the dead of World war One as well. Years ago he had the names of all 67,000 of Canada's First war dead projected on the side of Canada House in Trafalgar Square over a 7 night period. Her Majesty was present for the first night. He has done this in other places and the current plan is to compile and display the names of the soldiesr of all the belligerent powers who wish to participate. It looks as if he may lose the Russians over the Crimean mess - apparently Putin was very bullish on the project but he has recruited 26 nations thus far. Details of the project are available here: http://theworldremembers.ca/about-the-world-remembers/

I wonder whether the fact that he survuved the action, even by a day, meant that it wasn't considered 'posthumous' in the same way that an award tio someone who ddidn';t survive the action would be. Here's an interesting tidbit too. Haven't read the warrant(s) for the VC, but I assume its probably correct, as the article does cite the relevant Army order: A Guide to British Awards for Gallantry or Meritorious Service in WW1 Originally the Royal Warrant for the award did not cover the issue of the award posthumously. Although this was not officially changed in the warrant until after the First World War, a quarter of those recipients who were awarded the Victoria Cross during WW1 were killed as they carried out their deed of valour. found at: http://www.greatwar.co.uk/medals/ww1-gallantry-awards.htm