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    Posted

    Carl Edward, appointed Colonel in Chief of the Seaforth Highlanders in 1905 through 1915, granted some officers of that Regiment various grades of his Saxe-Ernestine House Order.  Most of these officers received private permission from the Palace to wear the insignia.  For example, I know that officers were decorated in May/June 1907, identifying the decoration as the Order "de la Maison Ernestine".  Efforts to search the London and Edinburgh Gazettes to verify such grants have yet to yield results.  One correspondent advises that private permission wear authorization would not be recorded in a Gazette while others inform that it would be recorded there.  Could anyone offer guidance on resolving official recording practices in 1907 and/or searching for this information?   

    • 2 weeks later...
    Posted

    Such an interesting story surrounding Carl Edward, well worth looking up.

     

    There was it seems only one grade given to foreigners and it was not freely awarded…

    9493427C-102F-47FF-964C-1BA1A2B50767.thumb.jpeg.0f26c27336a901abfd37d2e1ccf9a0be.jpeg


    Re your quest, I could only find this reference to permission to wear it, but it’s not available on line unfortunately 

    61CA1435-4FA8-4945-90D2-96925F3D6F37.thumb.png.84d4a5de366b82f47bb470e49dfaea77.png

     

    8EC1F4B2-4093-48B3-8CC0-E37803867841.thumb.jpeg.93e2eb9673d8070e23644fbc9f53ba02.jpeg

     

    I thought I’d found an interesting thread on GMIC for you but you are in it yourself, it was a while ago mind !

    Cheers

    tony🍻

    • 3 weeks later...
    Posted (edited)

    I've just inherited family papers and photos relating to my great-grandfather, James HW Hay of the Seaforth Highlanders. There is a letter from Buckingham Palace granting permission to wear 'the Gold Medal of the Order of "La Maison Ernestine" presented to you by The Duke of Saxe Coburg & Gotha'. This is November 1910 when the Duke was Colonel-in-Chief of the Seaforth Highlanders, so fits with your information above. 

     

    There's also a newspaper clipping (no date) from when he re-joined the regiment at the start of WWI which refers to his 4 medals 'one of which he will no longer wear, although it will be kept in the family as a curio. It is a gold medal presented to him (for meritorious service) by the honorary colonel of the regiment... a German prince, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha'.

    Sadly, I've no idea where his medals ended up, so only have a paper trail!

    1914 news report JHWHay rejoins Seaforth Highlanders.jpg

     

    1910 La Maison Ernestine medal permission JHW Hay.jpg

    Edited by REdge
    attach better quality image
    Posted (edited)
    On 14/05/2024 at 10:58, REdge said:

    I've just inherited family papers and photos relating to my great-grandfather, James HW Hay of the Seaforth Highlanders. There is a letter from Buckingham Palace granting permission to wear 'the Gold Medal of the Order of "La Maison Ernestine" presented to you by The Duke of Saxe Coburg & Gotha'. This is November 1910 when the Duke was Colonel-in-Chief of the Seaforth Highlanders, so fits with your information above. 

     

    There's also a newspaper clipping (no date) from when he re-joined the regiment at the start of WWI which refers to his 4 medals 'one of which he will no longer wear, although it will be kept in the family as a curio. It is a gold medal presented to him (for meritorious service) by the honorary colonel of the regiment... a German prince, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha'.

    Sadly, I've no idea where his medals ended up, so only have a paper trail!

    1914 news report JHWHay rejoins Seaforth Highlanders.jpg

     

    1910 La Maison Ernestine medal permission JHW Hay.jpg


    That’s brilliant mate, a perfect piece of history, 

     

    cheers 

    tony

     

     

    ps

     

    I found this 

    49B2A371-C8CD-48CF-A14A-6B54A0A1A0D2.thumb.png.4b4848b9ad00d13a4512709624bdea19.png

     

    E54D54B7-5364-46F8-8B8C-B0D257ACB371.thumb.png.4480537113a81d240ae56e6ee1ddfd50.png


    it mentions the

    Gordon highlanders

    Argyll & Sutherland (A&S) highlanders 

    I thought maybe it’s him?

     

    🤷‍♂️


    pps 

    just had another Google and maybe 👆 that’s not him but there are great mentions online, it’s good to see his memory is being kept alive 👍30E4C730-22F6-4FF3-B326-B31A6F4F91AD.thumb.jpeg.ab7b68350b857b68c6c14c86388b89da.jpeg


    tony🍻

    Edited by Farkas
    Pps required
    Posted

    Thanks Tony, 

    You're right, that's not the same James Hay. This is his WWI Medals Roll Index Card. No mention of the La Maison Ernestine Medal of course! 

    James HW Hay British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Card 1914-20.jpg

    Posted

    Thank you both for your fascinating information!  Have been traveling and just saw your replies.  Will try Seaforth's Museum.   

    Posted
    23 hours ago, 922F said:

    Thank you both for your fascinating information!  Have been traveling and just saw your replies.  Will try Seaforth's Museum.   


     

    It was a great subject 922F…

    I knew nothing about ‘Carl Edwards’ and really enjoyed reading his story.

     

    However, REdge certainly delivered the goods, what were the odds of someone having that? and seeing your post… slim indeed.

     

    Keep us posted

     

    cheers

    tony 🍻

     

     

     

    On 14/05/2024 at 10:58, REdge said:

    I've just inherited family papers and photos relating to my great-grandfather, James HW Hay of the Seaforth Highlanders. There is a letter from Buckingham Palace granting permission to wear 'the Gold Medal of the Order of "La Maison Ernestine" presented to you by The Duke of Saxe Coburg & Gotha'. This is November 1910 when the Duke was Colonel-in-Chief of the Seaforth Highlanders, so fits with your information above. 

     

    There's also a newspaper clipping (no date) from when he re-joined the regiment at the start of WWI which refers to his 4 medals 'one of which he will no longer wear, although it will be kept in the family as a curio. It is a gold medal presented to him (for meritorious service) by the honorary colonel of the regiment... a German prince, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha'.

    Sadly, I've no idea where his medals ended up, so only have a paper trail!

    1914 news report JHWHay rejoins Seaforth Highlanders.jpg

     

    1910 La Maison Ernestine medal permission JHW Hay.jpg

     

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