RobW

Hello Peter, The responses I've received from fellow collectors in Canada, the United Kingdom and Italy, all point to the same conclusion that it was an unofficial use. It was also indicated that the use of such ribbon on an Italian interallied victory medal could have been due to a lack of the correct ribbon at the time but I think this is unlikely. To commemorate the institution of the 'Italian Empire', the Impero medal was created. The ribbon that you have displayed on the vic on the left was used on that medal. There is one design known that has at least 4 different reverses. Faded ribbons generally do not show the depth of the colours, with the green the first colour to fade as shown in the pic below. As mentioned before I have also heard that the Italian victory medal was 're- used' with this style ribbon to commemorate the concept of the 'Italian Empire' during the rule of Mussolini from 1922 onward, and this would be consistent with the period. Details and images of the 'Impero' medal and ribbon (look under the heading of 'Italian Empire') can be found at: http://www.saintjohn...Page6/index.htm There were quite a number of unofficial Italian medals that were issued by the Blackshirts, including a number of Regimental medals and they also used this ribbon style among others. While a lot were worn most were not made official. The Blackshirts were Fascist paramilitary groups in Italy during the period immediately following World War I and until the end of World War II. Blackshirts were also known as the National Security Volunteer Militia (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale, or MVSN). One of the main references on Italian medals by Alessandro Brambilla mentions the use of such ribbon in footnotes in that book. (Alessandro Brambilla, Le Medaglie Italiane Negli Ultimi 200 Anni, vol. 2, Milan, 1997) Either way it is an unusual re-use of an existing medal with a commonly enough seen Fascist period ribbon. It would be an interesting side-point in a victory medal collection, and I have one in my collection. I hope this has helped. Regards, Rob

Hello Mervyn and others, To aid in seeing the difference here is a pic of both Australian Army Major and WO2 rank slides for comparison (Major on the left, WO2 on the right). As can be seen while both ranks wear a crown it is a different crown. Of course some comment could be made on the relative size of the crowns but ... I hope this is of use. Regards, Rob

Hello Mervyn, You are correct in indicating that one could confuse a WO2 rank slide with that of a Major. The main difference is that the WO2 rank is surrounded by the square border and the Major is not. That prevents the confusion although they are still hard to read from a distance. When I have time I will find some others to post a comparison pic. Regards, Rob

Australian Army WO2, embroidered, service dress, current issue. Mess dress is the same just on a white background. The backing patch is designed to be large enough to cover the previous rank, after its removal. Regards, Rob

Australian Army WO2, embroidered, DPCU, worn on top part of the sleeve before rank was moved to the front of the chest, c.1990's-2000's

Australian Army WO2, embroidered, polyester general dress & jungle greens, c.1995, 4.5cm x 4.5cm

Australian Army WO2, embroidered, jungle greens, c.1955, 6cm x 6cm

Australian Army WO2, worsted wool, c.1960. Worn on service dress on the lower sleeve.

Australian Army WO2, worsted wool, c.1960. Worn on battledress on the lower sleeve. Minor variations on crown compared to the one above.

Australian Army WO2, worsted wool, c.1950's. Worn on battledress on the lower sleeve.

To all, To continue with some Australian flavour here are some more. Staff Sergeant Major, Class 3, embroidered, c.1950. Regards, Rob

To all, To add some purely Australian flavour, here is a signaller skills badge, service dress on khaki, c1940. Regards, Rob

Hello William & SasaYu, Details and pics posted at the 'Serbia - Different Types of Commemorative WW1' thread. Regards, Rob

Here is the award document. It was awarded to a French soldier as late as November 1930. While they may be difficult to ascertain on this scan there are two embossed seals on the document; one near the centre adjacent to the serial number and a further one at the bottom of the document underneath the right hand signature. Again such lovely detail on the certificate. It is also a longer document which meant it was scanned in two parts and rejoined. Hope these are of use to others. Regards, Rob

Here is the inside of the box. Apologies for the blurriness of the inside box top.

Here is the outside top and bottom of the box.

Here is the Huguenin Frères produced medal. It is suspended by what appears to be a thick wire or tab suspender. Of note is that the 1917 on the reverse is missing the usually seen crossed 7.

Here is the award document, issued by the Town of Belgrade to an official in the Headquarters of the Drina Division's area. Dated 22 August 1925 it is also signed (stamped) by the Head of the Town of Belgrade Assembly. A very lovely decorative award certificate it is. It is a longer document which meant I had to scan it in two parts and then rejoin it.

Here is a French produced medal. It is suspended by a small ball close to the planchet of the medal.

To all, Here are some recent pickups of a couple of Serbian War Commemorative Medals and their award documents. First will be a French produced medal and then an award document to a Serbian soldier. The second will be a Huguenin Frères produced one, with its box, and an award certificate to a French soldier. Hope they are of use to others. Regards, Rob

Here are the close-ups. Note the shallower detail and barrel suspender that is soldered to the planchet. This solder is visible on the reverse rear of the barrel. Regards, Rob

To all, Here are some pics of a Great Britain Great War trio (1914 Star with Aug-Nov bar, British War Medal, & vic) with a Mention-In-Despatches (MID) on the vic. Of note is that the vic is a type 1. This is the rarer of the two Great Britain vics and is not often seen. It has a barrel suspender that is soldered to the planchet, is of a chocolate brown colour and has a reduced level of detail than the type 2. This reduced level of detail is attributable to the 'sandblasting' that was used to achieve the dark finish required. The type 1 vics were issued between July - November 1920 or at least before the decision was made to change to a shiny finish where the suspender was not soldered, but actually cut out of the planchet. This changeover occurred in early 1921. Close-up pics to follow. Hope this helps others. Regards, Rob

Hello Peter, I have received a partial response but am waiting for the last person to reply. I should have a response back from him this weekend. Regards, Rob

Tim, I have mused that myself on a few occasions. With all the collectors here on the forums, and the definite international flavour of the victory medal, I find it interesting that there are so few people interested in the vic series. They are either there, and watching but not posting, or they are not there. That raises the perennial question of 'why do people not share their info and pics' but that is better left for another discussion. Time will tell. Regards, Rob

Hello William & SasaYu, The items in question have arrived from Slovenia. When I have time this coming weekend I will scan them and post pics on the thread ''Serbia - Different Types of Commemorative WW1'. Hope it will be of use to all. Regards, Rob