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Everything posted by azyeoman
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The first one is the Edward VII Coronation 1901 and in an the initial position means that it was an older mounted bar. The second medal is the China Campaign Medal for the Opium War, the third medal is the Abassynian Campaign Medal and the fourth medal is the Territorial Decoration (Officer) that was awarded during Victoria's reign, thus the "VR". The China and Abassynian Medals should be officially named. Interesting group. I believe Peter Ustinov's father had a "mixed" medal bar of Imperial Russian, Imperial German and British Medals. I wonder if anyone has a photo of that group?
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Owain, you're a good man to make sure the family is reunited with a medal from a family. I've only had that pleasure once and you'll find it interesting a I bought the medal in the souk in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It was a BEM disc (military) missing it's suspension and named to a New Zealander who had served in Korea in the RNZA. I had done the research on it for a short article that was published in the OMRS Journal back in the 80s and in which I published that he was one of five New Zealanders who had been awarded the BEM (military QEII) for the Korean War. At any rate, the recipient's friend read the article while working in Sabah and wrote me asking if he could get it for his best friend who had returned to New Zealand after working in Borneo. It seems the medal was in a house fire and one of the workers who had helped in clearing up the remains of the house helped himself by taking the medal and eventually he went on Haj and sold it in Jeddah where I bought it at the old airport souk back in '85. I parted with it to the man's friend and he returned it to the man and he sent me a thank you letter and was happy to get at least that medal back. He is still missing the Queen's Korea and the UN Korea. A second somewhat related story is that of my brother who wrote a Canadian dealer just asking him to keep an eye out for a WWI pair to an uncle of ours and who was a Pte. in the RHC; low and behold, about six months later, he came across the BWM, which my brother now has. Talk about needles in haystacks... I love it when the medals go back into the families (when they're truly interested in the relative/ancestor; if it's just for profit, forget it; keep it where it'll be appreciated).
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Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Can you show the reverses and close ups please. : )
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The Korean War is NOT forgotten
azyeoman replied to azyeoman's topic in Modern Campaigns and Conflicts
I can only imagine the situation there, but have seen how it went in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, which I hope never happens in S. Africa. I'm amazed at the price differences between S. African WWI and WWII items and sincerely feel that wonderful historical groups can be had for a fraction of the price of those from Britain, Canada, New Zealand and of course Australia where prices have skyrocketed. I can only hope that those who emigrated will continue to remember and appreciate S. Africa's contribution in the world wars and military history prior to '94. All the best, John -
It's all history and so all interesting to study; I personally can't say that I would ever not buy something because of one or more medals; that's just the way they are. As for "ugly" medals, I must add that the US medal for aid is particularly ugly and that hand looks like it's going to give a slap. Why the govt. couldn't come up with something more fitting and more aesthetically pleasing, I'll never know. Saying that, it shows service and as such is part of the group.
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The Korean War is NOT forgotten
azyeoman replied to azyeoman's topic in Modern Campaigns and Conflicts
Do you see much in S. Africa dealing with the Cheetah Squadron? Are there any veterans organizations that recognize its contribution to the Korean War?