TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

[Antonio Prieto]

National Awards were first granted in 1969, seven years after Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Britain. These awards are presented to commemorate the Anniversary of our Independence.

The site:

http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?...3&tabid=121

[Paul R]

Very interesting! What were they awarded for? Surely they were not all commemorative awards?

[Megan]

Trinity Cross

Instituted: 1969.

Awarded: For distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago, in a single grade.

[Megan]

Chaconia Medal

Instituted: 1969.

Awarded: For long and meritorious service promoting national welfare or community spirit.

Grades: 3 (Gold, Silver and Bronze).

Gold:......

Silver:....

Bronze:..

(Sorry - pictures not particularly good, but they are all I have!)

Edited August 17, 2007 by Megan

[Megan]

Humming Bird Medal

Instituted: 1969.

Awarded: For loyal and devoted service beneficial to the state in any field, or acts of gallantry.

Grades: 3 (Gold, Silver and Bronze).

Gold......

Silver....

Bronze..

(Again, not very good ones.)

Edited August 17, 2007 by Megan

[Megan]

Public Service Medal of Merit

Instituted: 1969.

Awarded: For outstanding and meritorious service in the public services, protective services or defence.

Grades: 3 (Gold, Silver and Bronze).

Gold:

Silver:

Bronze:

[Paul R]

That would make for an interesting ribbon bar!

[Dave Danner]

Here is Brigadier General Edmund E. Dillon, Chief of Defence Staff, TTDF. His 2nd and 3rd ribbons are the Efficiency Decoration and Efficiency Medal, and the last is the U.S. Army Commendation Medal (probably from Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti). What would the first one be?

[Paul R]

That is a great photo! I would have thought that he would have gotten a higher medal than an ARCOM... unless he was a much junior ranking at the time of the award..

They have very attractive and colorful uniforms.

I cannot wait to see the verdict on the #1 ribbon.

Paul

[jasmor58]

Very interesting and informative post on these little known medals. Thanks for showing them to us.

Regards,

Jim Morrison.

[IVB]

Hello, here is the law about Order of Trinity:

LETTERS PATENT establishing the ORDER OF THE TRINITY

110/1983.

*deemed to be issued under section 6 of the Act

Effective: 30th August 1969

Dated: 26th August 1969

TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come or whom the same may in anywise concern,

GREETING:

WHEREAS it is desirable and the Cabinet has advised that Letters Patent do issue establishing a society of honour in Trinidad and Tobago to be known as the Order of the Trinity, for the purpose of according recognition to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and other persons for distinguished or meritorious service or for gallantry.

NOW LET IT BE KNOWN that by and with the advice of the Cabinet a society of honour to be known by, and have forever hereafter, the name, style and designation of the ?Order of the Trinity? is by these Presents established and constituted.

AND IT IS ordained, directed and appointed by and with the advice of the Cabinet that the said Order shall consist of the President of Trinidad and Tobago and such members together with honorary members as the President shall in accordance with the Constitution of the Order from time to time appoint.

AND IT IS FURTHER ordained, directed and appointed that the said Order shall be governed by the Constitution of the Order of the Trinity set out in the Schedule hereto.

Given the 26th day of August, 1969.

*These Letters Patent were originally issued by Command of QUEEN ELIZABETH The Second, then Queen of Trinidad and Tobago, and have been modified in accordance with section 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Act so as to be brought into accord with the Act (and the Constitution).

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF THE TRINITY

THE ORDER OF THE TRINITY

1. (1) The Order of the Trinity, hereinafter called ?the Order? shall consist of the President of Trinidad and Tobago and the members and honorary members of the Order.

(2) Every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to whom the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal, the Humming Bird Medal or the Medal of Merit is awarded is a Member of the Order.

(3) Every person other than a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to whom the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal or the Humming Bird Medal is awarded on an honorary basis is an Honorary Member of the Order.

2. The President of Trinidad and Tobago shall, by virtue of that Office, be the Chancellor of the Order.

3. The Chancellor is charged with the administration of the Order.

4. The Secretary to the President shall be Secretary of the Order and shall maintain the records of the Order, arrange for investitures and perform such other functions in respect of the Order as the President may require him to perform.

5. The President may appoint such other officials for the Order as may be necessary.

6. (1) There shall be a standing National Awards Committee for the Order hereinafter called ?the Committee? comprising?

(a) the Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago who shall be the Chairman of the Committee;

(b) the Chairman of the Public Service Commission;

© the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission;

(d) the Chairman of the Elections Commission;

(e) a Senior Public Officer appointed by the Prime Minister;

(f) two persons representative of the General Public appointed by the Prime Minister. Such appointment shall be for a period not exceeding three years but a person whose appointment so

expires shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(2) The Committee shall have a Secretary who shall be appointed by the Prime Minister.

7. A person is not a member or honorary member of the Order by reason only of his being a member of the Committee or an official for the Order.

8. The Committee shall?

(a) consider nominations of persons of merit who are citizens of Trinidad and Tobago together with recommendations and supporting material received by the Committee for awards of the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal, the Humming Bird Medal, and the Medal of Merit;

(b) compile separate lists in respect of the Trinity Cross and of each medal of those nominees to whom an award may be made;

© forward to the Prime Minister the lists compiled pursuant to paragraph (b) together with its recommendations respecting awards;

(d) advise the President in respect of any other matters concerning the Order referred to it by the President for consideration.

9. Any person or organisation may submit to the Committee for its consideration a nomination of a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago for an award of the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal, the Humming Bird Medal or the Medal of Merit.

10. (1) Awards of the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal, the Humming Bird Medal and the Medal of Merit shall be made by Instrument signed by the President and sealed with the Seal of the Order and shall have effect from the date of the affixing of the Seal unless another effective date is specified in the Instrument.

(2) The power conferred on the President under subsection (1) shall be exercised by him on the advice of the Prime Minister given after consideration of the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

(3) Only citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are eligible for the award of the Medal of Merit.

(4) Only persons other than citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are eligible for the award of the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal or the Humming Bird Medal on an honorary basis.

(5) Any distinguished citizen of a country other than Trinidad and Tobago whom Trinidad and Tobago desires to honour may be awarded the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal or the Humming Bird Medal on an honorary basis.

(6) Awards of the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal and the Humming Bird Medal to persons other than citizens of Trinidad and Tobago shall be made on the advice of the Prime Minister.

THE TRINITY CROSS

11. (1) The Trinity Cross of the Order of the Trinity herein called the ?Trinity Cross? may be awarded in connection with the Order to any person who has rendered distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago.

(2) The Trinity Cross may be awarded posthumously but a deceased recipient does not become a member of the Order.

(3) The Trinity Cross shall be awarded only in Gold.

(4) The President may award the Trinity Cross to a maximum of?

(a) ten persons in 1969;

(b) five persons in any year thereafter.

THE CHACONIA MEDAL

12. (1) The Chaconia Medal of the Order of the Trinity herein called the ?Chaconia Medal? may be awarded in connection with the Order to any person who has performed long and meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago tending to promote the national welfare or strengthen the community spirit.

(2) The Chaconia Medal may be awarded posthumously but a deceased recipient does not become a member of the Order.

(3) The Chaconia Medal may be awarded in Gold, Silver or Bronze in accordance with the Committee?s assessment of the value of the recipient?s service to Trinidad and Tobago.

(4) The President may award the Chaconia Medal to a maximum of?

(a) fifteen persons in 1969;

(b) ten persons in any year thereafter.

THE HUMMING BIRD MEDAL

13. (1) The Humming Bird Medal of the Order of the Trinity herein called the ?Humming Bird Medal? may be awarded in connection with the Order to any person who has rendered loyal and devoted service beneficial to Trinidad and Tobago in any field of human endeavour or for gallantry or other humane action.

(2) The Humming Bird Medal may be awarded posthumously but a deceased recipient does not become a member of the Order.

(3) The Humming Bird Medal may be awarded in Gold, Silver or Bronze in accordance with the Committee?s assessment of the level of the service rendered by the recipient.

(4) The President may award the Humming Bird Medal for loyal and devoted service to a maximum of?

(a) twenty persons in 1969;

(b) fifteen persons in any year thereafter.

MEDAL OF MERIT

14. (1) The Public Service Medal of Merit of the Order of the Trinity herein referred to as the ?Medal of Merit? may be awarded for outstanding and meritorious service in the Public Services, the Defence and Protective Services or service with Statutory Bodies performing national functions.

(2) Only citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are eligible for the award of the Medal of Merit.

(3) The Medal of Merit may be awarded posthumously but a deceased recipient does not become a member of the Order.

(4) The Medal of Merit may be awarded in Gold, Silver or Bronze according to the length or merit of the services rendered as assessed by the Committee.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER

15. A person ceases to be a member or honorary member of the Order upon?

(a) his death;

(b) his resignation from the Order which shall have effect on the date on which a resignation in writing is accepted by the President;

© the revocation of his award by the President; provided that an award of the Humming Bird Medal for gallantry or humane action shall not be revoked.

DESIGNATIONS

16. (1) A person to whom the Trinity Cross is awarded is entitled to?

(a) have the letters ?T.C.? placed after his name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and

(b) wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed by the President for recipients of the Trinity Cross.

(2) A person to whom the Chaconia Medal is awarded is entitled to?

(a) have the letters ?C.M.T.? placed after his name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and

(b) wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed by the President for recipients of the Chaconia Medal.

(3) A person to whom the Humming Bird Medal is awarded is entitled to?

(a) have the letters ?H.B.M.? placed after his name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and

(b) wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed by the President for recipients of the Humming Bird Medal.

(4) A person to whom the Medal of Merit is awarded is entitled to?

(a) have the letters ?M.O.M.? placed after his name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and

(b) wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed by the President for recipients of the Medal of Merit.

17. (l) When worn in Trinidad and Tobago by a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago the Trinity Cross shall be worn suspended from the neck and takes precedence of all other decorations.

(2) When worn in Trinidad and Tobago by a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago the Chaconia Medal shall be worn immediately after the Trinity Cross and in front of all other decorations.

(3) When worn in Trinidad and Tobago by a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago the Humming Bird Medal shall be worn immediately after the Chaconia Medal and in front of all other decorations.

(4) When worn in Trinidad and Tobago the Medal of Merit shall be worn immediately after the Humming Bird Medal and in front of all other decorations.

*18. Acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, the President may where in any year exceptional circumstances so warrant, make awards of the Trinity Cross, the Chaconia Medal or the Humming Bird Medal in excess of the maximum number prescribed, respectively, in section 11(4),12(4) or 13(4).

*This section was inserted in pursuance of a Cabinet decision set out in Cabinet Minute No. 3700(1) of 30th August, 1979.

[Paul R]

Now that is some great information!!! Thank you! So the General has Order of the Trinity?

[IVB]

The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was installed as Trinidad and Tobago's new highest national award 2008 and replaces the Trinity Cross for Distinguished and Outstanding Service to Trinidad and Tobago.

Links:

http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?...4&tabid=121

http://news.bn.gs/article.php?story=20080604140437791

[James Hoard]

The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was installed as Trinidad and Tobago's new highest national award 2008 and replaces the Trinity Cross for Distinguished and Outstanding Service to Trinidad and Tobago.

Links:

Many thanks for yor ineresting and kind post.

From the original statutes it would appear that all the decorations, including the Humming Bird Medal and the Chaconia Medal, were part of the Order of Trinity.

Has the Order of Trinity been abolished or only the Trinity Cross?

If the Order has been abolished, do the medals now have their own separate statutes?

Cheers,

James

[Megan]

It was the Trinity Cross that was abolished, being seen as 'too Christian' in design for an inclusive society - a controversy that raged for some time before matters were brought to a head by a non-Christian actually refusing the award due to disliking the name... so the new award, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was brought in to replace it.

The imagery is quite fascinating and intended to reflect Trinidad and Tobago society as consisting of people from all over the world and their descendants, bringing social and cultural attributes to produce a special, talented people with a great potential.

The obverse shows three circles each encompassing a feature of the National Symbols of Trinidad and Tobago, with a crest at the top. Within the crest is a feathered headdress of an Amerindian chief which represents the Aboriginal culture of the twin islands. The centre of the design features a Scarlet Ibis standing on the south western peninsula of Trinidad and the Mot Mot perched on the image of Tobago both imposed in bas-leaf. At the top of the circle is the Chaconia Flower, the National flower of Trinidad and Tobago. In the middle circle there is a display of twelve outer notes of a tenor pan, upon the notes are a pair of pan sticks, a reference to the popular and distinctive ‘steel pan’ music of the nation. There are also images representing the sea and sky: waves at the bottom to represent the sea and the sky by constellations of stars.

The reverse is plain with the words “Order of the Republic” engraved upon it. The award is worn on a short ribbon in the national colours of red, black and white.

[Spasm]

I think the Brigadier General's top bar is their GSM

Edited August 4, 2013 by Spasm

[Megan]

Antonio Prieto Barrio's ribbon chart shows that ribbon as the GSM. The image I have - which I shall be getting to shortly - is labelled 'Anti-Terrorist Action Red House and TTT' with the date 27 July 1990 (obverse) & the defence force badge on the reverse.

[Megan]

And here is the Anti-Terrorist Action Medal. As far as I can find out, it was awarded for service during disturbances in 1990.

[Megan]

Next up, the Efficiency Decoration - for long service and good conduct in the Defence Force, presumably as an officer (as they also award an Efficiency Medal), but not sure for how long you have to serve.

[Megan]

And here is the Efficiency Medal:

[Megan]

This is the Humanitarian Service Medal

[Taz]

A few ribbons and badges in wear.

WOI Martin’s awards and decorations include the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force General Service Medal, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Distinguished Shooters Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, International Students Badge-U.S. Army, Volunteer Service Medal, and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Efficiency Medal.

[heusy68]

A few ribbons and badges in wear.

WOI Martin’s awards and decorations include the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force General Service Medal, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Distinguished Shooters Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, International Students Badge-U.S. Army, Volunteer Service Medal, and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Efficiency Medal.

Hello Taz,

The single ribbon on first row I cannot identify it, but on second row, the medals of WOI Martin are :

T&T Defense Force Medal for Anti Coup d'Etat in 1990 (in 1990 there was a Coup d'Etat attempt by a group of muslim radicalist, it failed).

T&T Defense Force Humanitarian Service Medal

T&T Defense Force Efficiency Medal (the Efficiency Decoration has a slightly different ribbon).

Do you have a close-up view on the medal ribbon bar ?

Here is some info about failed Coup d'Etat. But the T&T Defense Force Medal for Anti Coup d'Etat was insituted much later in 2002.

I was said a few hundred were awarded. Maybe some only get the ribbon bar. No idea if Trinidad & Tobago actually awards medals to Officer,NCO & Private, or if they award ribbon bar to all, but medals only to Officer ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaat_al_Muslimeen_coup_attempt

Emmanuel

Edited April 19, 2014 by heusy68

[Taz]

Hi Emmanuel,

No additional info or photo's i'm afraid, it was a newspaper article if I remember right, while random searching.

Regards Eddie

Edited April 19, 2014 by Taz

[ilja559]

THE MEDAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN.

Medal instituted in 2008. It is to be granted to individuals, for their contribution to the development of women's rights and issues. Like the other medals, with the exception of the Order of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Medal for the Development of Women may be awarded in gold, siver and bronze to a maximum of ten persons a year.

The Proposed Criteria for the National Award for the Medal for the Development of Women

The award categories and the corresponding criteria for those awards are as follows:

CATEGORY 1:
Nominations for Award in respect of a person:
Candidates must demonstrate innovation in the promotion of gender equity for no less than ten (10) years through the promotion of:
• Gender equality in the work place.
• The elimination of all forms of discrimination against women by the promotion of gender equity.
• Legislative and cultural reform to ensure gender equity.
• Institutional mechanisms for the advancements of women.
• Economic empowerment by: Overcoming marginalization, oppressive social norms access and rights to resources; Offering women choices and opportunities; and Encouraging women to fulfill their potential
• Education- based programs, initiatives or personal action in the empowerment of women; and
• Entrepreneurial activities

CATEGORY 2:
Nomination for reward in respect of Organizations
Corporations/ Organizations must demonstrate innovation in the promotion of gender equity for no less than ten (10) years through:
• The empowerment of women through initiatives, policies (procurement, hiring, training, etc.) or corporate social responsibility.
• Outstanding contributions to women’s organizations that support soc-economic empowerment and/or through achievement in the corporate world.

DESIGN:

The medal consists of three parts: a medallion to which is attached a bar and winged shaped which partially surrounds the medallion and is hinged to it.

THE SYMBOLS:

1. Women’s symbol- ( This symbol for the planet Venus is used in Biology for the female sex
and is a stylized representation of Venus’ hand mirror. Generally it is a circle with a small equilateral cross underneath.) In this drawing it occupies the centre of the medal and its cross quadrisect the map of Trinidad and Tobago.

2. A Globe- representing the world is contained within the circle of the symbol.

3. A winged Form- articulated and suspended from the central disc is a stylized winged shaped element whose radial sections are defined in bas relief.