Vanuatu Blue

thanks for your imput Chris much appreciated. Yes it does indeed say Cote 304 His Regiment says : 3 Bataillon de marche d'infanterie legere d'Afrique. Best, Brian.

Chef de Bataillon Achille Léonard Boniface Villermain. French Army Awards. France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, 5th Class, silver, gold and enamel, severe enamel damage. Order of Agricultural Merit, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel. Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, bronze star on ribbon. Colonial Medal 1893, 1 clasp, Tunisie. (Clip reverse). War Commemorative Medal 1914-18. Victory Medal 1914-18, official type. French Society of War Wounded Medal 1864-66, silver. ‘U.N.C.’ Medal. Belgium, Order of Leopold I, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel. Belgiam, Order of the Crown, Officer’s breast badge, gilt base metal and enamel. Romania, War Commemorative Cross 1916-18, no clasp. Achille Léonard Boniface Villermain was born in Antibes, Alpes Maritimes, on 14 February 1848. He volunteered for military service in Paris on 5 February 1866. He attained the rank of Sergeant-Major in 1869 and in the following year was commissioned Adjutant and Sous Lieutenant. Promoted to Captain in 1883, he subsequently served as Acting Major and latterly attained the rank of Chef de Bataillon of Infantry. With a quantity of original documents and papers, approximately 36, including: Service Book, recording Villermain originally in the 3rd Regiment de Voltigeurs, Garde Impériale; Wound Certificate 1886; notification of the award of the Legion of Honour, dated 1890; Colonial Medal award document, dated 1894; commission documents; military certificates. Retired around 1901 but recalled for WWI service. This post completes my small collection of Croix de Guerre so far, will add to it slowly when items come up.

Hi Chris, Thanks for the translation, very nice indeed, if I ever want to part with him i will let you know. Here is another from my small collection to sergeant Paul-Pierre Ringenbach, 3rd Battalion African Infantry ? KIA 19th May 1916 at Verdun ? Have added a close up of the citation. Best wishes, Brian.

Hi Chris, yes the Benoit frame is most interesting, i'll try and find out more !!! have posted a close up of the Legraverend citation, translation would be nice, if possible, thanks.

Hi Chris, I believe if you click the attached picture it will zoom much larger, you should be able to read then. Regards, Brian.

This is an interesting one awarded to Edouard Ferdinand Benoit.of the 19th Escadron du Tain des Equipages Militaires.Attached to the British Army. If anyone can do a translation of the citation would be nice.

This frame has the awards of two brothers both killed in action. Emmanuel Joseph Marcel Piron 91st Regt Infantry KIA 1st March 1915. Louie Jean marie Piron 130th Regt Infantry KIA 28th March 1918.

This is a great thread, thought I would add a few from my small collection. Below is awarded to Sgt Major Paul Ferdinand Legraverend of the 48th Regt of Infantry 1 leaf and 2 stars on the cross.

A nice addition to the collection. A Soldier of the Xth Sudanese Battalion, Egyptian Army. Awards. Khedives Sudan Medal 1896, clasps: SUDAN 1897, ABU HAMED, THE ATBARA, KHARTOUM, GEDAREF, SUDAN 1899 and BAHRELGHAZAL 1900-02, named, 1952-10. Khedives Sudan Medal 1910, clasp: S. KORDOFAN 1910, named 1952- 10. Queens Sudan Medal 1896, un-named, as issued. Operations of the Xth Battalion. Khedives Sudan Medal 1896-1908. Sudan 1897. This clasp was not awarded for any particular action, but was given to those who had already received the medal and were south of Kerma and south of sixth station between 15th July and November 1897, units present were the 3rd, 8th Egyptian and 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, Sudanese Battalions. Abu Hamed. Fought August 7, 1897, when the Dervish entrenchments outside Abu Hamed were stormed by a Soudanese Brigade, with 2 guns Royal Artillery, under Major-General Hunter. The Mahdist garrison was driven through the town, losing heavily, and their commander, Mohammed Zain, captured. The Egyptian loss was 80 killed and wounded, including 4 British officers 2 from the 10th Battalion. Troops earmarked for this operation were the 9th, 10th, 11th Sudanese, the 3rd Egyptian Battalion, an Artillery Battery and one troop of Cavalry. Atbara. Fought April 8, 1898, between the British and Egyptian army, 14,000 strong, under Sir Herbert Kitchener, and 18,000 Mahdists under Mahmad. The Mahdists occupied an entrenched zareeba on the Atbara, where they were attacked and utterly routed, with a loss in the zareeba of 5,000 killed and 1,000 prisoners, while many more fell in the pursuit. Mahmad was captured. The Anglo-Egyptian losses were 570 killed and wounded, including 29 British officers. Egyptian Army units present were the Egyptian Cavalry, Camel Corps, 1, 2, 4, 5, Batteries Egyptian Artillery, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th Egyptian and 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, Sudanese Battalions. Khartoum. Fought September 2, 1898, between the British and Egyptians, 23,000 strong, under Sir Herbert Kitchener, and 50,000 Dervishes, under the Khalifa. The Dervishes attacked the British zareba, and were repulsed with heavy loss. Kitchener then advanced, to drive the enemy before him into Omdurman, and capture the place. In the course of the operation, however, the Egyptian Brigade on the British right, under General Macdonald, became isolated, and was attacked in front by the centre of the Dervish army, while his flank and rear were threatened by the Dervish left, which had not previously been engaged. The position was critical, but through the extreme steadiness of the Sudanese, who changed front under heavy fire, the attack was repulsed. The British and Egyptian losses were 500 killed and wounded. The Dervishes lost about 15,000. Egyptian Army units present were Egyptian Cavalry, Camel Corps and the 5th, 7th, 8th, 15th, 17th, 18th, Egyptian and 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, Sudanese Battalions. Gedaref. 22nd December 1898, Battle of Gedaref. Egyptian and Sudanese reservists and some tribal “Friendlies” under Colonel Parsons defeat remaining Mahdist foces under Emir Saadullah and capture Gedaref. Lt Hore-Ruthven (later Earl of Gowrie) wins VC. Egyptian Army units present were the Camel Corps, 16th Egyptian and the 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, Sudanese Battalions. Sudan 1899. This clasp was awarded to all those who served on the Blue and White Niles south of Khartoum during 1899. Bahr-El-Ghazal 1900-02. This clasp was awarded to 5 British and 11 Native Officers together with 350 Native troops for policing operations under the command of Sparks Bey, the first British Governor of the Bahr-El-Ghazal Province and also to those who formed the Shambe Field Force under El Miralai Lee Stack, mostly 10th Sudanese. Khedives Sudan Medal 1910-22 S. Kordonan 1910. This clasp was awarded for operations in November-December 1910 against Mek (Chief) Gedeil of Gebel Tagoi near Rashad. The troops involved in the expedition included Cavalry, Mounted Infantry, Artillery, Camel Corps and the 10th and 12th Sudanese Battalions under the command of El Lewa Asser Pasha. It was hoped that such a large force would persuade the Mek to surrender but he and his followers showed considerable fight. He escaped from the inevitable defeat by the Governments troops and later returned to kill the successor who had been nominated in his place, but in April 1911 he was captured and hanged. A smaller patrol under El Kaimakam Conry in the District also qualified for the clasp. Queens Sudan Medal. The medal was awarded to all Officers and Men of the British and Egyptian Armies who took part in the re-conquest of the Sudan 1896-98.

Will, Just seen this thread, well done, a well deserved award. Keep up the good work and stay safe. Regards, Brian.

Hi Paul, yes you are right, I have started to look but it is very labourious !!! Best Brian.

I have since discovered the below information of (Kaimakam) Lieutenant Colonel Yusef Eff Dervish, OBE. From the Sudan Government Staff Lists. Commissioned into the Sudan Government Medical Services on 6th April 1911. April 1920, Medical Officer (El Yuzbashi) at Yei. April 1923, Medical Officer (El Bimbashi) at Kajo Kaji on sleeping sickness duty. April 1924, Medical Officer (El Bimbashi) at Tembura. January 1926 till December 1932, Medical Officer (El Bimbashi) (OBE) at Yei, on sleeping sickness duty. July 1931 promoted to (Kaimakam) Lieutenant Colonel. 8th December 1932, Retiring, (El Kaimakam) (OBE) at Source Yubo. Cheers, Brian.

Will, Great Medal and in perfect condition, thanks for showing, only seen one other before. Regards, Brian.

Hi Chris, Yes I presume the Medjidie was awarded pre war and again remounted post war but do not have any confirmation of this. Regards, Brian

A recent purchese from a UK Auction. Bimbashi (Major) Yusef Effendi Dervish, OBE. A Medical Officer of the Egyptian Army Medical Corps, awarded the OBE for his services in Equatoria. Awards. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type Officer's (O.B.E.) Civil Division breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919. 1914-15 Star (Yuzb. Yusef Eff. Dervish, Med. Corps S.G.). British War Medal (Yuzbashi, Med. Corps E.A.). Victory Medal (Yuzbashi, Med. Corps E.A.). Egypt, Order of the Nile, 5th Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel. Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, mounted court style for display, WO 329 / 2956 Medical Corps Sudan Government "Yuz Yusef Eff Dervish (3) roll dated 23rd December 1918. Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 5th June 1926. Decoration and warrant sent to the Foreign Office on 15th July 1926. O.B.E. Sudan Government Gazette No. 482, 15 November 1926. 'The King has beengraciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the MostExcellent Order of the British Empire for servicesrendered in the Sudan' To be Honorary Officer of the Civil Division of the saidMost Excellent Order. 'El Bimbashi Yusef Effendi Dervish, Medical Officer, Yei.' District HQ Equatoria Province. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star trio as a Yuzbashi (Captain) in the MedicalCorps of the Government of Sudan/Egyptian Army. Regards, Brian

Thanks for your help guys Brian.

A friend at work brought this photo in of his Grandmothers five brothers , three in Guards uniforms, I asume it is the Grenadiers but am not sure, can some kind soal please confirm, I believe it was taken before WWI. Many thanks for assistance, Brian.

Hi Oamotme. What you have there is the 2nd Class order of Gorkha Dakshinabahu / The Most Puissant Order of the Gurkha Right Arm . Value would be around £400 or less ATB, Brian. GorkhaDakshinabahu / The Most Puissant Order of the Gurkha Right Arm -- Awarded to members of the royal family and to Nepali citizens whorender valuable service to Nepal. It may also be awarded to foreign nationals.Established: In 1952 (1895 C.E.) by King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah Dev; awardswere, apparently, suspended in the following year. The award was reinstitutedby King Tribhuban Bir Bikram Shah Dev on 23 B??? 1989 (7 September 1932). KingTribhuban established the medal of the order in 1995 (1936 C.E.). Obverse: Asilver four-pointed star with a silver kukri on a dark blue enameled circle.Ribbon: Saffron. Some manufacturings of the ribbon have a darker red/brownappearance. · original award, 1895-96 · restored award, after 1932: · Param Prasiddha PrabalaGorkhadakshinabahu - sovereign's insignia · Ati Prasiddha PrabalaGorkhadakshinabahu - grand master's insignia · Suprasiddha PrabalaGorkhadakshinabahu - first class · Prasiddha PrabalaGorkhadakshinabahu - second class · Suprabala Gorkhadakshinabahu -third class · Prabala Gorkhadakshinabahu -fourth class · Gorkhadakshinabahu - fifthclass · Gorkhadakshinabahu Padak -medal of the order, established 1995 (1936 C.E.) by King Tribhuban Bir BikramShah Dev.

Yes Will, your right they were engaged in quite a few battles. The XIII Battalion also served during the Darfur and Fasher campaigns, so even better. Regards, Brian.

Congrats Will, Very, very nice group of medals. Would be great to get the full translation of naming. Does anyone have information on the 13th Battalion for this period ? ATB, Brian.

SUDAN DEFENCE FORCE GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, silver, complete with correct ribbon. Instituted in 1933 and was awarded to native personnel of the Sudan Defence Force and Police for minor campaigns, post 1933. It was also awarded for action against the Italian Forces in Southern Sudan from June 1940 to November 1941. Approximately 9000 medals were issued. ATB Brian.

SUDAN DEFENCE FORCE LONG SERVICE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, Bronze, with incorrect ribbon. Instituted in 1933 and awarded to Native Non-commissioned Officers and Men of the Sudan Defence Force for 18 years service.

To follow on from Will's start to this thread on "Governor General's Service Medals" I thought I would post the others in the series to round the tread off. So here they are !. SUDAN DEFENCE FORCE NATIVE OFFICERSʼ DECORATION, silver, complete with correct ribbon. Awarded to Native Officers of the Sudan Defence Force for 18 Years Long and Meritorious Service.

Nice medal Lilo well done. So that's three we know about and besides finding the decree instituting the award, we need to find a fourth one for me !!!!!!!!! All the Best, Brian.