Kev in Deva

Hi Doc, sorry to hear that, I was hoping you Gentlemen, would see fit to bury the hatchet, and help with your expertise & knowledge what could be a very interesting thread. Kevin in Deva (Once a U.N. Peacekeeper, always a U.N. Peacekeeper )

Hallo Gents, in the book " Wound Medals, Insignia And Next of Kin Awards Of The Great War" by Arthur H. Houstan & Vicken Koundakjian, on page 85, under Germany it states: By a Royal Decree of 3 March, 1918, published in the Army Gazette (Armee-Verordnungsblatt) for 9 March 1918, The Emperor Wilhelm II created the Army Wound Badge. The enabling statute reads "In extraordinary appreciation I wish to confer a special badge of recognition on all those soldiers who have been wounded (lost blood) for the Fatherland and those who have lost their health during service against the enemy and have been invalided from service. The Ministry of War will issue the required orders and regulations . . . " Shortly thereafter, on the 11 March, 1918, the King of Bavaria authorised the award of this essentially Prussian insignia to Bavarian servicemen under the regulations to be promulgated by the Minister of War. Part of the Articles states. . . "that such insignia can be validly conferred only during the receipient's lifetime; i.e., such badges were apparantly not given posthumously or bestowed upon the next-of-kin. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gentlemen, I would like to add pictures of my un-numbered piece (on the wrong ribbon) and then ask both Greg and Doc to take a look and offer opinions, I obtained it about 8 years ago while living in Germany, at a flea-market. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Brian it looks like a typical un-official Regiments medal, the ribbon is the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War ribbon for the Combatants medal, later this ribbon was hi-jacked for the 1934 Hindenberg Cross of honour for Combatant and Non-Combatant of WW1. There are many and varid German patriotika, regimental and commemorative medals out there and it would be easy to amass a great collection at a relative low price. Who knows it might be reason to look for a special catagory to be created for these items at a future date Kevin in Deva

Chris, for a very informative site with regards Purple Heart naming see: http://www.purplehearts.net/index.html the site shows a lot of examples of original and faked engraving to Purple Hearts. The Bronze Star was for Bravery. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Charles, Best wishes on your appointment, drop by the Lounge for a virtual pint or three on me Kevin in Deva,

Hallo Noor, Welcome to the Forum, I believe that your medal is a commerative / patriotic piece and not one that would have been issued to a soldier, the ribbon ring being the giveaway, normaly they were threaded to a piece of ribbon in the Prussian colours of red, white and black. I attach a picture of a similar piece, patriotic medals were sold to raise funds, to commemorate past wars, and as unofficial Regimental items. They were made in the thousands, particularly as WW1 progressed, many were made in zink, but earlier pre-WW1 pieces were made in the new wonder metal of the day, Aluminum!! Kevin in Deva (originaly from Castlebar, Co.Mayo.) (I hope you had a good Paddy's Day.)

. . . . . . .on a large pension no doubt Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, Taken from the net at: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/14032007/325/fami...ed-admiral.html Family seeks pardon for executed admiral Wednesday March 14, 02:45 PM LONDON (Reuters) - The descendants of an 18th century admiral shot by firing squad after his failure to "do his utmost" to defeat the French are pressing the government to grant him a posthumous pardon. On the 250th anniversary of Admiral John Byng's execution in 1757, family head Lord Torrington has written to Defence Secretary Des Browne asking for a pardon. "I have asked the Defence Secretary to consider the matter because Admiral Byng has been judged not guilty by the fullness of time," he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper. "At the most, he made an error of judgement, but he was in no way a coward." The family hopes their ancestor's name will be cleared in the same way 306 executed World War One soldiers were pardoned last year. Great War soldiers who were shot for cowardice or desertion were posthumously pardoned after the Defence Ministry decided last August to end the "stigma" overshadowing the living relatives of the executed men. But an MoD spokeswoman said Byng's case was different from those of the soldiers, where direct relatives were still alive. "We have now received the letter so we can look at it," she said. "But I suspect that it's not going to be sensible or in general practical to review decisions that are really widely accepted as being part of history now." Early in the Seven Years' War between 1756 and 1763, Byng was called on to relieve the St. Philip Fort on the Mediterranean island of Minorca which was being attacked by French forces. He was dispatched with a small, undermanned fleet, several ships of which were badly damaged in subsequent skirmishes with the French, prompting Byng to turn back to Gibraltar. The fort was eventually forced to capitulate. He was brought home, court-martialled and executed for breach of Articles of War. Many believed at the time he was made a scapegoat to conceal government mismanagement of the navy and that his execution was a travesty of justice. But general editor at the National Maritime Museum Pieter Van Der Merwe believes that historical events can not be judged from the perspective of the present. "In the terms of the middle of the 18th century, justice was done," he told Reuters. "There is no point in historians today saying it was wrong or right. That's judging 250 or 300 years after the fact." Byng's death inspired Voltaire's epigram in his novel Candide "in this country, it is wise to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others." Admiral Byng is buried in the family's vault at Southill, Bedfordshire. His epitaph says: "To the perpetual disgrace of public justice, the honourable John Byng, admiral of the blue, fell a martyr to political persecution on 14th March in the year 1757, when bravery and loyalty were insufficient securities for the life and honour of a naval officer." Byng supporters were gathering at his grave on Wednesday to commemorate him, with attendees including Royal Naval representatives and various Naval historical societies. - - - - - END OF ARTICLE. - - - - - Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Bob A great selection of items and very well presented for public viewing, thanks for shareing these great pictures with us Kevin in Deva

Hallo Jacky, you are correct, missed the intials on the box!!! Now I know I need new glasses Kevin in Deva

Hallo Harvey, The Romanian Order of the Crown, is probably missing the rear medalion as well, so that would reduce any value drastically, pity to see it in this condition Kevin in Deva

Hallo Mike, I believe you have hit the nail on the head with your identification, I must admit it was not till I copied and highlighted the rear of this medal could I make out any of the detail!! (I know, New Glasses needed) Pity its not the Gold version though Kevin in Deva

Whose a pretty birdy then?? Polly want a cracker?? Nice Bird to have roosting at home Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Mike, With regards the Coronation Medal of 1911: "Those who were also entitled to the Delhi Darbar Medal received a crowned clasp inscribeded DEHLI if they had been previously been awarded the coronation medal. this was the first occasion that the medal might be awarded to those not actually present at the ceremony itself." Page 273 Coronation and Jubilee Medals, The Medals Yearbook of 2006. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo michmuch, you have in your pictures The Queen Victoria Egypt Medal (1882-1889,) with Suakin Clasp 1885, along with the Khedive's star 1882-1891. Minitures of the above group. On the big bar with two medals is: India General Service Medal with Abor 1911 - 1912 clasp. Ribbons for the 3 WW1 Service Medals. Coronation Medal 1911 King George V and Quuen Mary 1 Order Of the British Empire (O.B.E). Unknown to me eppulatte. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Chris with regards Verdun, are you familiar with this website: http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War...un_Color_00.htm Kevin in Deva

Would it have been another "masterpiece" in beton / concrete?? Kevin in Deva

Hallo Ed, My point exactly, as stated in my post preivious Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Rick, I believe its the first Model of the Crown of Romania with Sword at that!! Harvey, were was the picture taken, through the window of a "Ye Olde Worlde antique shoppe" Kevin in Deva, (Transylvania)

Hallo Doc, I even sent the seller an email via ebay to inform him these are not real, and his reply "IF" he could he would try to amend the auction descriptions, (that with over 3 days to go). Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents Spotted this while surfin: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...ME:B:WNA:UK:122 One of the questions and answers posted by the seller: Q: is this a genuine issued war medal 11-Mar-07 A: Hi i bought on the understtanding it was. His other item for offer was a "genuine" 1870 Iron Cross Ist Class, with a WW1 style pin to the rear, with the word DEUSCHELAND on the lower arm in big letters http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-1870-GERMAN...1QQcmdZViewItem Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Dave, Mine are two outie's Howzat? Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, at the end of the day it seems to boil down to the seller wanting a good return for his items, we might consider it bad taste to split items up but many people dont care about the history of the man or his items. We, can stand and shout about it from the rooftops, and post about it till the cows come home but, in reality the seller is exercising his right under a free and democratic world to do with his property what he wants. So it will always remain a "put up" (more cash) or shut-up debate. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Ed, with regards the highlighted parts on your post (see quote) you might have been talking / writing about the local Hobby Clubs in Romania, but the one you went to seems to have plusher seating than my local one in Deva Kevin in Deva