30 December 2011

WWI rank abbreviations

Another question I get asked a lot is what do the abbreviations that are stamped on WWI medals stand for. The abbreviations on the second line of a star just before the initials and name donates the rank. The third line on the star designates the unit or organisation the soldier belonged to. On the British War Medal and the Victory Medal the naming is around the rim and begins with the number, then the rank, followed by the initials and name and finally the unit. These photos show examples:














The following list of rank abbreviations was compiled by Richard (RWF) of the British Medal Forum who has kindly allowed me to reproduce it here. I have removed those that specifically do not relate to Australia or Great Britain although in some circumstances I have left interesting ranks like 'Cattleman'. The AIF did not use all the ranks listed but many are common on medals issued to British soldiers. I hope that this is a search-able resource for people to use if they are looking for a particular rank that is on a medal.



A-A. FWN. Acting Assistant Forewoman A-FWN. Acting Forewoman
A-N. SISTER Acting Nursing Sister A-P. CPL Acting Provost Corporal
A-SURG Acting Surgeon (3rd Class) A-U. ADTR Assistant Under Administrator
A.A. ENGR. Acting Artificer Engineer A. ADTR. Assistant Administrator
A.B. Able Seaman A. BMBR. Acting Bombardier A.C. Armourer's Crew
A.C. CTR. Assistant Chief Controller A.C. SGT. Acting Colour Serjeant
A.C.Q.M. SGT Acting Company Quarter Master Sergeant
A. COMM. Assistant Commissary A. CPL. Acting Corporal
A.D. COMM. Assistant Deputy Commissary A. FWN. Assistant Forewoman
A. INSPR. Assistant Inspector A.L. CPL. Acting Lance Corporal
A.M.1. Air Mechanic 1st Class A.M. GR.1. Air Mechanic Grade 1
A.S.M. Assistant Station Master A.S. SJT Acting Staff Serjeant
A. SGT. Acting Serjeant A. SJT Acting Serjeant A. SN. MR Acting Station Master
A. SUPDT. Acting Superintendant A. TRSR. Assistant Treasurer
A.W.O. CL.2. Acting Warrant Officer Class 2
A/S. Q.M. SJT. Acting Squadron Quarter Master Serjeant
ACCT. & TR. Accountant & Treasurer ACT. A.M.1. Acting Air Mechanic 1st Class
ACT. AR. MT. Acting Armourers Mate ACT. ARMR. Acting Armourer
ACT. C.M.M. Acting Chief Motor Mechanic ACT. CH. ARM. Acting Chief Armourer
ACT. E.R.A. Acting Engine Room Artificer ACT.L.S. Acting Leading Seaman
ACT. L. STO. Acting Leading Stoker ACT. S.P.O. Acting Stoker Petty Officer
AD. SVT. Admirals Servant ADJ Adjutant ADMIRAL Admiral AGENT Agent
AMT. Q.M. SJT. Armament Quarter Master Serjeant
AMT. S. MJR. Armament Serjeant Major APPCE. Apprentice
AR. CR. Armourers Crew AR. MTE. Armourers Mate ARB. Labourer
ARMR. Armourer ARMR. S. MJR. Armourer Serjeant Major
ART. ENG. Artificer Engineer ART. HVLDR. Artificer Havildar
ARTFR. Artificer ASST. Assistant ASST. BUTCHER Assistant Butcher
ASST. CK. Assistant Cook ASST. FRN. Assistant Foreman
ASST. LNDRYMAN Assistant Laundryman
ASST. PAYR. Assistant Paymaster ASST. SGN. Assistant Surgeon
ASST. STD. Assistant Steward ASST. TD. Assistant Steward
ASST. STO. Assistant Stoker ASST. SURGN. Assistant Surgeon
AUDITOR Auditor
B'SUN Boatswain B. ART Boy Artificer B. BUGR. Boy Bugler
B. CK. Boy Cook B.K.M.S. Battery Quarter Master Serjeant
B.Q.M. SJT. Battery Quarter Master Serjeant B.S. MATE Blacksmiths Mate
B.S. MJR. Battery Serjeant Major B. SHAWISH Bash Shawish
B. SMITH Blacksmith B. SVT. Boy Servant B. TEL. Boy Telegraphist
BAKER Baker BANDMASTER Bandmaster BAR TDR. Bar Tender
BARBER Barber BD. CPL Band Corporal BDN. Bandsman BDR Bombardier
BDMR Bandmaster BDSM Bandsman BDSMN Bandsman
BED. STD. Bedroom Steward BGLR. Bugler BK. S. MJR. Barrack Serjeant Major
BKR. Baker BLK. Blacksmith BLKS. MTE. Blacksmith's Mate
BLKSTH. Blacksmith BLRMKR. Boilermaker BLYR. Bricklayer
BMBR Bombardier BMKR. Boilermaker BNDSMN Bandsman
BNDSMN Bandsman BOAT HD. Boat Hand BOATSN Boatswain
BOSN. Boatswain BOY Boy BOY. SIG. Boy Signaller
BOY. TEL. Boy Telegraphist BOY 1 Boy 1st Class BR Bearer
BRIG. Brigadier BRIG. GEN. Brigadier General BRUGL Bugler
BUG. Bugler BUGLR. Bugler BURG Burger BUTCHER Butcher
C. OF. H. Corporal of Horse C. CENSOR Cable Censor
C. DVR. Crane Driver C.E.A. Chief Electrical Artificer
C.E.R.A. Chief Engine Room Artificer
C.M.M. Chief Motor Mechanic C.M. STKPR. Chief Medical Storekeeper
C.P.O. Chief Petty Officer C.P.O. MECH. Chief Petty Officer Mechanic
C.P.O. WR. Chief Petty Officer Writer C.Q.M.S. Company Quarter Master Serjeant C.Q.M. SJT. Company Quarter Master Serjeant
C.S. MJR. Company Serjeant Major C. SJT. Colour Serjeant
C. SMITH Copper Smith C.Y.S. Chief Yeoman of Signals
CAMP. SUPDT. Camp Superintendant CAPT. Captain
CAR. CR. Carpenters Crew CAR. MATE Carpenters Mate CARP. Carpenter
CARPR. Carpenter CASHIER Cashier CATTLEMAN Cattleman
CD. CK. Commissioned Cook CDR. Commander CDR. Conductor CFN. Craftsman
CH. ARM. Chief Armourer CH. ART. ENG. Chief Artificer Engineer
CH. BOSN. Chief Bosun CH. BSN. Chief Bosun CH. CAPT. Chaplain Captain
CH. CK. Chief Cook CH. ENG. Chief Engineer CH. GEN. Chaplain General
CH. GNR. Chief Gunner CH. OFFR. Chief Officer
CH. S.B. Chief Signal Boatswain CH. SH. CK. Chief Ships Cook
CH. SHPT. Chief Shipwright CH. SIG. Chief Signalman
CH. SKR. Chief Skipper CH. SPT. Chief Shipwright CH. STO. Chief Stoker
CH. WR. Chief Writer CH. Y.S. Chief Yeoman of Signals
CH. YEO. SIG Chief Yeoman of Signals CHKLR. Chuckler CHLRNTR Chlorinator
CHMN Chinaman (Labourer) CIV. Civilian CK. Cook CK. MTE. Cooks Mate
CL. MIL. Military Assistant CLERK Clerk CLK. Clerk CLKR. Caulker
CMPDR. Compounder COL. Colonel COL. COMDT. Colonel Commandant
COMM Commissary COMP Compounder COMMR. Commander
CONDR. Conductor CONST Constable COOPER Cooper
COPPER SM. Copper Smith COX'N Coxswain CPL Corporal
CPL. MECH Corporal Mechanic CPL. MJR. Corporal Major
CPR Cooper CPTR. FMN. Carpenter Foreman CR. SGT. Colour Serjeant
CTN & TRP. DK. STD. Canteen & Troop Deck Steward
CTN. ASST. Canteen Assistant CTN. CLK. Canteen Clerk
CTN. MGR. Canteen Manager CTN. SR. Canteen Server
CTR. Controller CYC. Cyclist
D. ADTR. Deputy Administrator D. COMM. Deputy Commissary
D. CTR. Deputy Controller D.H. Deck Hand D. HD. Deck Hand
D.M. & LIEUT. Director of Music & Lieutenant D. RDR. Despatch Rider
DENT. SURG. Dental Surgeon DISPENSER Dispenser DK. ENG. Deck Engineer
DK. STD. Deck Steward DKYN. Donkeyman DMR Drummer DNKYMAN Donkeyman DR. Driver DRDG. MTR. Dredging Master DRESSER Dresser
DRM. MJR. Drum Major DVR-A. WHL. Driver Acting Wheeler DVR. Driver
DWR. Driver DYMN. Dairyman
E.A. Electrical Artificer E. ERECTOR Engineer Erector
E.L. & ST. S. MJR. Engineer Ledgerkeeper & Storeman Serjeant Major
E.M. Electrical Mechanician E.R.A. Engine Room Artificer
E. ST. S. MJR. Engineer Storekeeper Serjeant Major ENG. CAPT. Engineer Captain
ENG. COMMR. Engineer Commander ENG. CR. Engineer commander
ENG. DVR. Engine Driver ENG. DVR. Engine Driver ENG. LT. Engineer Lieutenant
ENG. LT. CR. Engineer Lieutenant Commander ENG. S. LT. Engineer Sub Lieutenant
ENGN. Engineman ENGR'S. STRKPR Engineers Storekeeper ENGR. Engineer
ER-SGT. Engineer Serjeant EX. CHEF Extra Chef
EX. S. MJR. Experimental Serjeant Major
F. CADET Flight Cadet  F.M. Field Marshal
F. OF W.S. MJR. Foreman of Works Serjeant Major FAR. CPL. Farrier Corporal
FAR. CPL. MJR. Farrier Corporal Major FAR. S. MJR. Farrier Serjeant Major
FARR Farrier FARR. S/MAJ. Farrier Serjeant Major FLR Follower
FLT. S. LT. Flight Sub Lieutenant FLWR. Follower FMN. Fireman
FRGMN. Forgeman FSHMN Fisherman FSR Fusilier
FT. PAYR. Fleet Paymaster FT. SURG. Fleet Surgeon FTR. Filter
FWN. Forewoman
G.M. SRVT. General Mess Servant G.R. CK. Gun Room Cook
G.R. STD. Gun Room Steward G.R. SVT. Gun Room Servant
GARR. Q.M. SJT. Garrison Quarter Master Serjeant
GARR. S. MJR. Garrison Serjeant Major GDMN Guardsman
GEN. SVT. General Servant GENERAL General GN. Gunner
GNGMN. Gangman GNR Gunner GNR-A. BMBR. Gunner Acting Bombardier
GSR. Greaser GUARD Guard
H. CPTR. Head Carpenter H. KDR. Head Conductor H. KPR. Horse Keeper
H. SMITH Head Smith H. WCHMN. Hydraulic Winchman H. WDR. Headman Warder
H/SMIT Shoeing Smith HD. Hand HD-TRANSLATOR Head Translator
HDMN. Headman HDMN. S.B. Headman Stretcher Bearer HKPR. Housekeeper
HMRMN. Hammerman HON. LT. Honorary Lieutenant
HOSP. ATT. Hospital Attendant HRDSMN. Herdsman HSMN Horseman
I. AGENT Intelligence Agent I.BEARER Indian Bearer
ICE MECH. Ice Mechanic ILLALO HDMN. Illalo Headman
INSPR. Inspector INSTR. CKY. Instructor of Cookery
INTER. Interpreter INTERP. Interpreter INTR. Interpreter
J.R. Junior Reserve J.R.A. Junior Reserve Attendant
K. DMR. Kettle Drummer
L. & S. INSP. Land and Ship Inspector L-CPL Lance Corporal
L-DFDR. Lance Dafadar L. BMBR Lance Bombardier
L. CK. MTE. Leading Cooks Mate L. CPL. Lance Corporal
L.D.H. Leading Deck Hand L.M. Leading Mechanic
L.P.M. Leading Patrol Man L. PTR. Letter Painter L.S. Leading Seaman
L. SIG . Leading Signalman L. SJT . Lance Serjeant L. STO. Leading Stoker
L. TEL Leading Telegraphist L/C Lance Corporal LABR. Labourer
LG.BTN. Leading Boatman LG. C. CREW Leading Carpenters Crew
LIEUT. Lieutenant LNMN. Lineman LPTMR. Lamptrimmer LT. Lieutenant
LT. COL. Lieutenant Colonel LT. CR. Lieutenant Commander
LT. GEN. Lieutenant General
M.A.A. Master At Arms M.B. Motorboatman M. CYCLIST Motor Cyclist
M.E. Mechanical Engineer M.G.P. Machine Gun Porter M. GNR. Master Gunner
M.M. Motorman Mechanic M. MECH. Motor Mechanic
M.S. FMN. Machine Shop Foreman M.S. MJR. Mechanist Serjeant Major
M.T.S.T.C CLK Motor Transport Supply Corps Clerk
M.W. TEL. O. Marine Wireless Telegraph Operator MAH Orderly
MAJ. GEN. Major General MAJOR Major MASON Mason MATRON Matron
MEC Mechanic MECH. Mechanic MECH. S. SJT. Mechanist Staff Serjeant
MESS MARSHAL Mess Marshal MESS STD. Mess Steward MID Midshipman
MIDS Midshipman MLDR. Moulder MLWRGHT. Millwright
MMN. Machineman MR. Mister MR. GR. Master Gunner
MSTR. MECH. Master Mechanic MT. DVR. Mechanical Transport Driver
MTE. BKR. Bakers Mate MTR. Master MTR. BOY Motor Boy
MUS. Musician MUSN. Musician N. CONST. Native Constable
N. NURSE Nursing Nurse N. ORDERLY Nursing Orderly N. SERJT. Native Serjeant
N. SISTER Nursing Sister NAFAR Private NSG. SISTER Nursing Sister
NURSE A.I.F. Nurse
O. BDR. Lance Bombardier O.C. Officers Clerk O.C.S. Officers Chief Steward
O. KPL. Lance Corporal O.R. SJT. Orderly Room Serjeant
O. TEL. Ordinary Telegraphist O/SERS Lance Serjeant OFF. CK. Officers Cook
OFF. ST. Officers Steward OFFICE SUPDT. Office Superintendent
OILER & GR. Oiler & Greaser OPTR. Operator
ORD. Ordinary Seaman ORD. CLK. Orderly Clerk OVERSEER Overseer
OX. DVR. Ox Driver
P.A.T.I.G. Personal Assistant to Inspector General P. AGENT Political Agent
P. FLT. OFFR. Pilot Flight Officer (Probationary) P.H. SUPDT Superintendent
P.M. SJT. Provost Marshal Serjeant P. MATRON Principal Matron
P. MJR. Pipe Major P.O. Petty Officer P.O. CK. Petty Officer Cook
P.O.M. Petty Officer Mechanic P.O. MTR. MECH. Petty Officer Motor Mechanic
P.O.S.M. Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic P.O. TEL. Petty Officer Telegraphist
P. STD. Pantry Steward P/NURSE Probationary Nurse P/NURSE Probationary Nurse
PAYM. Paymaster PAYR. LT. CR. Paymaster Lieutenant Commander
PAYR. S. LT. Paymaster Sub Lieutenant PBY. NURSE Probationary Nurse
PEON Peon PILOT Pilot PILOTS ASST. Pilots Assistant PIPER Piper
PKRMN. Packerman PATER Plater PLATER LABR. Plater Labourer
PLM. Plumber PLTR. Plater PNR Pioneer PNR. CPL. Pioneer Corporal
PNR. SJT. Pioneer Serjeant PORTER Porter PROF. Professor
PROV. SERS. Provost Serjeant PTE. Private PTR. Painter PTYMN. Pantryman
PURSER Purser PYMSTR. Paymaster Q.M. Quarter Master
Q.M. & CAPT. Quarter Master & Captain
Q.M. & LIEUT. Quarter Master and Lieutenant
Q.M. CPL. MJR. Quarter Master Corporal Major
Q.M. SJT. Quarter Master Serjeant Q. SIG. Qualified Signalman
R. ADMIRAL Rear Admiral R.K.M.S. Regimental Quarter Master Serjeant
R.M. & LIEUT. Riding Master and Lieutenant R.P.O. Regulating Petty Officer
R.S. MJR. Regimental Serjeant Major R. WDMR. Reserve Wardmaster
READER Reader REF. ENG. Refrigeration Engineer
REFG. GR. Refrigeration Greaser RES. WD. MTE. Reserve Wardmasters Mate
RES. WDMSTR. Reserve Wardmaster RESVT. Reservist REV. Reverend
RFLM. Rifleman RFMN Rifleman RFN. Rifleman RFM. Rifleman
RT. REV. LORD BISHOP Right Reverend Lord Bishop RVTR Riviter
S. & C. SMITH Shoeing and Carriage Smith S.A. SGN. Sub Assistant Surgeon
S. ASST. SGN. Sub Assistant Surgeon
S. A. S. I. M. D Sub Assistant Surgeon Indian Medical Department
S. ATTDT. Smoke Attendant S.B.A. Sick Berth Attendant
S.B.P.O. Sick Berth Petty Officer S.B.S. Sick Berth Steward
S.B. STD. Sick Berth Steward S. BR. Stretcher Bearer
S.C.P.O. Stoker Chief Petty Officer S.C.P.O. Supply/Stores Chief Petty Officer
S. CONDR. Sub Conductor SD. S. SJT. Saddler Staff Serjeant
S. HD. Spare Hand S.LT. Sub Lieutenant
S.M.P. Special Military Probationer S. MJR. Serjeant Major
S. MJR. (A.C.) Serjeant Major Artillery Clerk
S. MJR. INSTR. Serjeant Major Instructor S.O.O. Ship's Ordnance Officer
S.P.O. Stoker Petty Officer S.Q.M. SJT. Staff Quarter Master Serjeant
S.R. Senior Reserve S.R.A. Senior Reserve Attendant S.R.N. SISTER Nursing Sister
S.S.A. Ships Stewards Assistant S.S. ASST. Ships Stewards Assistant
S.S. MJR. Staff Serjeant Major S. SERS Staff Serjeant S. SJT. Staff Serjeant
S. SJT. MJR. Staff Serjeant Major S. STH. Shoeing Smith
S.T. MKR. Saddle Tree Maker S. TAALIM Battalion Serjeant Major
S. TAYIN Battalion Quarter Master Serjeant S. TYPIST Steno Typist
S.V. Staff Nurse S/MAJ Serjeant Major S/NURSE Staff Nurse
SADR Saddler SAIL MTE. Sailmakers Mate SALN. BRMN. Saloon Barman
SAN. INSPR. Sanitary Inspector SAR. Sarwal SAWAR Sower
SCHOOLMASTER Schoolmaster SCMN. Sculleryman
SD.Q.M.-CPL. SGT. Saddler Quarter Master Corporal/Serjeant
SDLR. Saddler SEEDIE Seedie SEN. RES. Senior Reserve SEP. Sepoy
SERS. Serjeant SGLN Signalman SGLR Signaller SH. CPL. Ships Corporal
SH. STD. Ships Steward SHAWISH Serjeant SHMKR. SJT. Shoemaker Serjeant
SHPT. Shipwright SHPT. APPC. Shipwrights Apprentice
SHPT. LT. Shipwright Lieutenant SHUNTER Shunter SIG. Signaller
SIG. BOY Signal Boy SISTER Sister SJT. MECH. Serjeant Mechanic
SKP. Skipper SKTR. Skutter Rifleman SLMKR. Sailmaker
SLMKR. MTE. Sailmakers Mate SMITH Smith SMN. Seaman
SMN. RIGGER Seaman Rigger SNR. Signaller SOL. CLERK Soldier Clerk
SOWAR Sowar SP. AM. MTE. Supply Armourers Mate SPR Sapper
SQ. CPL. MJR. Squadron Corporal Major
SQ. Q.M. CPL. Squadron Quarter Master Corporal
SQ. Q.M. SJT. Squadron Quarter Master Serjeant
SQ. S. MJR. Squadron Serjeant Major
SR. ASST. SGN. Senior Assistant Surgeon SRN Sarwan
SR. N. SISTER Senior Nursing Sister SRGT. Serjeant SRVR . Surveyor
SRVT. Servant ST. PAYR. Staff Paymaster STD. Steward
STDESS. Stewardess STEW BOY Steward Boy
STH. Q.M. SJT. Smith Quarter Master Serjeant STKPR. Storekeeper
STKR. Storekeeper STN. MR. Station Master STO. Stoker
STO. P.O. Stoker Petty Officer STORES SUPDT. Stores Superintendent
STPR. Strapper STRKPR. Storekeeper STRMN. Storeman
SUB. CDR. Sub Conductor SUB. CONDR. Sub Conductor
SUPDT. Superintendent SUPDT. CLK. Superindending Clerk
SUPT. Superintendent SUPVR. Supervisor SURG. CAPT. Surgeon Captain
SURG. GEN. Surgeon General SURG. LT. Surgeon Lieutenant
SURG. PROB. Surgeon Probationer SWPR.
T-NURSE Temporary Nurse T.2. CPL. Transport 2nd Corporal
T. ATDT. Transport Attendant T.C. CTR. Temporary Chief Controller
T. ORD. Telephone Orderly T.Q.M. DAF. Transport Q.M.Dafadar
T. SJT. Transport Serjeant T.W.O. CL.1. Transport Warrant Officer Class 1
T/CPL. Transport Corporal T/SGT. Transport Serjeant TE. Telegraphist
TEL. Telegraphist TKT. CLK. Ticket Clerk TMPY. NURSE Temporary Nurse
TP. Q.M. SJT. Troop Quarter Master Serjeant TP. S. MJR. Troop Serjeant Major
TPR. Trooper TR. Trimmer TR. CK. Trimmer Cook TR. DR. Transport Driver
TRP. CK. Troop Cook TURNER Turner TYPIST Typist
U-ADTR. Unit Administrator
V-ADMIRAL Vice Admiral V.A. Victuallers Assistant V.ASSTT Vetinary Assistant
V.A.R.N. Victuallers Assistant R.N. V. ADMIRAL Vice Admiral
V.C.P.O. Victualling Chief Petty Officer V. CAPT. Veterinary Captain
VEN. ARCHD. Venerable Archdeacon VETY.ASST Vetinary Assistant
VLCNZR. Vulcanizer VOL. Volunteer
W.O. CL.1. Warrant Officer Class 1 W.O. CK. Warrant Officer's Cook
W.R. CK. Ward Room Cook W.R. OFF. SVT. Ward Room Officers Servant
W.R. ST. Ward Room Steward W.R. STD. Ward Room Steward
W.R. SVT. Ward Room Servant W. SRVT. Ward Servant
W.T.O. Wireless Telegraph Operator W/SERS Acting Serjeant
WATER CARR. Water Carrier WCHMN. Winchman WGHMN. Weighman
WGNR. Wagoner WHLR. Wheeler
WHLR. Q.M. SJT Wheeler Quarter Master Serjeant WKR. Worker WMN. Wireman
WR. Writer WR. CK. A. Ward Room Cooks Assistant WSHRMN Washerman
WT. Warrant Electrician WT. ENG. Warrant Engineer
WT. MECH. Warrant Mechanician WT. TEL. Warrant Telegraphist
WTCHMN Watchman WTK. Mechanic WTR. Writer
Y.S. Yeoman of Signals YEO. OF SIG. Yeoman of Signals

27 December 2011

Order of wearing and post-nominals

I'm often asked about the order of wearing of medals and the meaning of post-nominals (the letters after a persons name). I thought the best way to answer this was to reproduce the relevent document from the its an honour web site as published by Government House. The text didn't quite cut and paste well so I've aligned the award with the post-nominal.

  

THE ORDER OF WEARING AUSTRALIAN HONOURS AND AWARDS
Honours and Awards listed in the Schedule and Annexes in BOLD print are:

·         those within the Australian System of Honours and Awards;

·         those conferred by The Sovereign in exercise of the Royal Prerogative;

·         those within the Order of St John; and

·         foreign awards, the acceptance and wearing of which have been authorised by the Governor-General.
-                all imperial British awards made to Australian citizens after 5 October 1992 are foreign awards and should be worn accordingly.

Those Honours and Awards listed in the Schedule and Annexes in UNBOLDED print are Imperial awards.
THE ORDER OF WEARING AUSTRALIAN HONOURS AND AWARDS
THE SCHEDULE

VICTORIA CROSS  (1)           VC

George Cross                           GC
CROSS OF VALOUR              CV
KNIGHT/LADY OF THE GARTER    KG/LG
KNIGHT/LADY OF THE THISTLE    KT/LT
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath    GCB
ORDER OF MERIT    OM
KNIGHT/DAME OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA  (2)       AK/AD
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George   GCMG
KNIGHT/DAME GRAND CROSS OF THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER     GCVO
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire     GBE
COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA    AC
Companion of Honour      CH

Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath    KCB/DCB

Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George  KCMG/DCMG

KNIGHT/DAME COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER  KCVO/DCVO

Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire  KBE/DBE

Knight Bachelor (NB: Confers title of “Sir” - no postnominals)
OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA      AO
Companion of the Order of the Bath    CB

Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George  CMG

COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER       CVO
Commander of the Order of the British Empire     CBE
STAR OF GALLANTRY      SG
STAR OF COURAGE          SC
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order        DSO
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS       DSC
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA   AM
LIEUTENANT OF THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER    LVO
Officer of the Order of the British Empire    OBE
Companion of the Imperial Service Order    ISO
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER   MVO
Member of the Order of the British Empire   MBE
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS   CSC
NURSING SERVICE CROSS    NSC

Royal Red Cross (1st Class)     RRC

Distinguished Service Cross    DSC

Military Cross     MC
Distinguished Flying Cross   DFC
Air Force Cross    AFC
Royal Red Cross (2nd Class)    ARRC
MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY   MG
BRAVERY MEDAL   BM
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL    DSM
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL      PSM
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL    APM
AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL   AFSM
AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL    ASM
EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL   ESM
MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA   OAM
ORDER OF ST JOHN  (3)                                                                                            
Distinguished Conduct Medal       DCM
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal    CGM
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)  CGM
George Medal      GM
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL  CSM

AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MEDAL  (4)     AAM

Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry     QPM
Queen's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry    QFSM
Distinguished Service Medal        DSM
Military Medal    MM
Distinguished Flying Medal    DFM
Air Force Medal        AFM
Sea Gallantry Medal     SGM
Queen's Gallantry Medal    QGM
ROYAL VICTORIAN MEDAL     RVM
British Empire Medal    BEM
Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service  QPM
Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service      QFSM
COMMENDATION FOR GALLANTRY
COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
War medals, campaign medals, active service medals and
    service medals
(see Annex 1)
POLICE OVERSEAS SERVICE MEDAL  (5)
HUMANITARIAN OVERSEAS SERVICE MEDAL  (5)
CIVILIAN SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945
Polar Medal
Imperial Service Medal
Coronation, Jubilee, Remembrance and
    Commemorative medals
(in order of date of receipt)  (see Annex 2)
DEFENCE FORCE SERVICE MEDAL
RESERVE FORCE DECORATION        RFD
RESERVE FORCE MEDAL
DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDAL
NATIONAL MEDAL
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL

AUSTRALIAN CADET FORCES SERVICE MEDAL

CHAMPION SHOTS MEDAL
Long Service Medals  (6)
ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL SERVICE 1951-1972 MEDAL
Independence and Anniversary Medals (in order of date of receipt)
Foreign Awards (in order of date of authorisation of their acceptance and wearing)

Notes:

1.                  Refers to the Imperial Victoria Cross and the Victoria Cross for Australia.

2.         Provision for further awards at this level within the Order of Australia was removed
by Her Majesty The Queen on 3 March 1986 on the advice of the Prime Minister.

3.         Listed to indicate where any awards within the Order of St John should be worn; however, the Service Medal of the Order of St John should be worn as a Long Service  Medal after all other Imperial Long Service awards. Post-nominals within the Order of St John are not recognised as notified in the Governor-General’s media release of 14 August 1982.

4.         The Australian Antarctic Medal was known as the Antarctic Medal until
18 December 1997.

5.         Clasps to these medals should be worn on the ribbon in order of date of receipt
commencing from the bottom of the ribbon.

6.         Includes Imperial efficiency and long service awards.

General Notes:

The Unit Citation for Gallantry, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Group Bravery Citation are not positioned in The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.  For members of uniformed services, they should be worn in accordance with the dress rules of the particular Service concerned.  Civilian personnel awarded the Group Bravery Citation should wear the insignia on the left lapel or left breast.  Should other honours or awards have been awarded, the Group Bravery Citation should be worn centrally, approx 10mm above these.

The insignia for The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct is worn directly on the coat after any medal ribbons.

The Mention in Despatches is an Imperial award.  It is not positioned in the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.  The Department of Defence provides advice on the wearing of the emblem.


Annex 1 to
Schedule on the Order of Wearing
Australian Honours and Awards

WAR MEDALS, CAMPAIGN MEDALS, ACTIVE SERVICE MEDALS

AND SERVICE MEDALS  (1901 onwards)

South African War

Queen’s South Africa Medal
King’s South Africa Medal

World War I

1914 Star
1914-15 Star  (1*)

British War Medal

Mercantile Marine War Medal

Victory Medal

Naval General Service Medal 1915-62  (2* & 3*)
General Service Medal 1918-62  (2* & 3*)

 World War II

1939-45 Star
Atlantic Star  (4*)
Air Crew Europe Star  (4*)
Africa Star
Pacific Star  (5*)
Burma Star  (5*)
Italy Star
France and Germany Star  (4*)
Defence Medal
War Medal, 1939-45
AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-45

Post-World War II

AUSTRALIAN ACTIVE SERVICE MEDAL 1945-1975  (3*)

Korea Medal

United Nations Service Medal for Korea  (6*)

Naval General Service Medal 1915-62  (2* & 3*)
General Service Medal 1918-62  (2* & 3*)
General Service Medal 1962  (3*)

VIETNAM MEDAL
VIETNAM LOGISTIC AND SUPPORT MEDAL  (7*)


Annex 1 (continued)

AUSTRALIAN ACTIVE SERVICE MEDAL  (3*)
INTERNATIONAL FORCE EAST TIMOR MEDAL
AFGHANISTAN MEDAL
IRAQ MEDAL
AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL 1945-1975  (3*)
AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL  (3*)
RHODESIA MEDAL


Notes:

1*.        Recipients of the 1914 Star are not eligible for the award of the 1914-15 Star.

2*.        The order of wearing of the Naval General Service Medal 1915-62 and General Service Medal 1918-62 (Army and Air Force) will vary from person to person depending on when the person earned the first clasp.  If the first clasp relates to service between World War I and World War II, the medals should be worn immediately after World War I war medals.  If the first clasp relates to service after 2 September 1945, the medals should be worn immediately after the United Nations Service Medal for Korea.

3*.        Clasps to these medals should be worn on the ribbon in order of date of receipt.

4*.        Only one of these three Stars could be awarded to an individual.  Should a person have qualified for two of these awards, the Star first earned is worn with the Clasp of the second Star.  Only one Star and one Clasp may be worn even if the person qualified for all three Stars.

5*.        Only one of these two Stars could be awarded to an individual.  Should a person have qualified for both the Pacific Star and the Burma Star, the Star first earned was awarded together with the appropriate Clasp denoting the service that would have qualified for the other Star.

6*.        Uniquely, although a foreign award, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea is worn immediately after the Korea Medal.  All other foreign awards for which official permission has been given to accept and wear are worn as Foreign Awards.

7*.        A person who has been awarded the Vietnam Medal, or who is eligible for the award of the Vietnam Medal, is not eligible for the award of the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal.  These medals are of equal status.



Annex 2 to
Schedule on the Order of Wearing
Australian Honours and Awards

CORONATION MEDALS, JUBILEE MEDALS, REMEMBRANCE MEDALS

AND COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS (1901 onwards)


KING EDWARD VII’s CORONATION MEDAL
KING GEORGE V’s CORONATION MEDAL
KING GEORGE V’s SILVER JUBILEE MEDAL

KING GEORGE VI’s CORONATION MEDAL

QUEEN ELIZABETH II’s CORONATION MEDAL
QUEEN ELIZABETH II’s SILVER JUBILEE MEDAL
80th ANNIVERSARY ARMISTICE REMEMBRANCE MEDAL
AUSTRALIAN SPORTS MEDAL
CENTENARY MEDAL

26 December 2011

Distinguished Service Cross post update

The post about the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to Lieutenant Commander George Raymond Grandage has been updated with new photos and can be found at this link.

21 December 2011

John Mitchell - British War Medal

24421 John William Mitchell served with the 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column during WWI and he went on to serve during WWII. Mitchell was from a large family and six of his seven brothers also served in WWI. Unfortunately, Mitchell didn't have any children of his own so our search looked at his extended family. Thanks to the Australian Surname Group we have located one of Mitchell's nieces and his British War Medal will be returned to this branch of the family.
Thanks to Dennis F for sending the medal to me.
The returned medal tally is now 1058.

David Pattrick NZEF medals

This is the story of two medals that perfectly fits the lost medal criteria.
The 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal awarded to 23/552 Rifleman David Pattrick NZEF remained in the family for many years until 2007. At this time they were found by Australia Post having become separated from their packaging. My contact in Australia Post, Jackie E, forwarded the medals to me but I had limited initial success. Pam recently had a fresh look at the Pattrick family and found a critical lead that put me in contact with Parrtick's daughter who still lives in NZ. She tells me that in 2007 she posted the medal to her grandson who now lives in Brisbane but the medals never arrived. I'll shortly be sending the medal back to the Pattrick's daughter.
The returned medal tally is now 1057.


Thomas Douglas Baillie NZEF Victory Medal

34326 PTE Thomas Douglas Baillie NZEF served with the 3rd Battalion of Auckland Regiment. He died of disease on 4 Oct 17. Thomas was the son of a prominent New Zealand family and his father was a long serving member of the NZ Legislative Council. Thomas was married to Alice and they had two children. Their son Arthur died in an aircraft accident in 1924 while serving the RAF. The daughter Mabel had four children, one of who is alive and well. I'll soon be returning Thomas' Victory Medal to his nephew.
Thanks to Jackie E of Australia Post who sent me the medal and to Pam who put all the clues together and pointed me in the right direction to locate the family.
The returned medal tally is now 1055.


12 December 2011

Norman McInnes - British War Medal and Victory Medal

This search has been a difficult and rather strange one so I'll let Bill tell the story:

'Our search for a next of kin begins more often than not with medals that provide us a name and a service number.
For those of you who are always trying to fit a person into a family tree, just for a moment consider the opposite, proving that someone was not a member of a family tree, extended or otherwise. This was what happened with the search for the next of kin of 1691A Norman AllanNeil McInnes. Our first action was the need to demonstrate to the family who had the medals that Norman was not a long lost great uncle who served during the Great War, even though the medals had resided in the family medal box for longer than anyone could remember.
Then came the search for the real next of kin, and in this case may I say it never got easier. However, it was recently arranged for the Montmorency RSL to conduct a 'Returning Ceremony', to return to Norman's family his long lost medals.
 The questions still to be answered and which I have left to others is how did Norman's WW1 medals end up in another family’s medal box while Norm's WW2 medals are still with his family.'

The medals returned were the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The returned medal tally is now 1054.

07 December 2011

Norman Collis

NX195001 Norman Reginald Collis commenced his WWII service as a member of the militia and then transferred to the 2nd AIF. His nominal roll entry shows his posting on discharge was the Papuan Infantry Battalion, AIF, which also fought on the Kokoda Track with the 39th Battalion.
This medal is from the NSW box and will be returned to Collis' nephew. The returned medal tally is now 1052.





Update 7 Dec 2011
I have just been sent a picture of Collis to post with the picture of his medal.

Thomas Hardwick

This Australian Service Medal 1939-45 was awarded to 29616 Thomas George Hardwick who served with the RAAF. The medal was originally set to me by the WA RSL and thanks to Nicolle who located Hardwick's daughter.
The medal returned tally is 1051.

06 December 2011

RNZIR Vietnam War medals

When I was in The Sudan I still received many requests for assistance from people who had medals and wanted to see them returned.
This pair arrived in January and even from Africa I was able to narrow down the search for 302986 Leslie Kairau very quickly. MAJ Malcom A, a NZDF officer serving with me in UNMIS also helped out. But as is often the case, we ran in to a big brick wall.
From the blog of the Royal New Zealand Artillery Association I learnt that Les died in 2008 and the area where he had been living. Several online mentions of Les proved to be dead ends. The RNZAA kindly put a post on their blog, Muzzle Flashes. Les' grand daughter came across the post and I now have an address so that I can return these medals to Les' wife.
Thanks to Narelle M for sending the medals to me in the first place. The medal returned tally is now 1050.


Alfred Ryman - British War Medal and Victory Medal

In August I received a WWI pair awarded to 10275 Sapper A Ryman RE. I was able to access his Medal Index Card from the UK national archives but the only additional information I could get was his first name - Alfred. This proved to be enough and by using ancestry.com I could narrow down the family and I've recently been in contact with Ryman's grand son's family.
Thanks to SGT Paul C of the RAAF who sent me the medals which are in wonderful condition.
The returned medal tally is now 1048.

Father and son single medals

I often get a single medal which has come away from a large group or the group has been split so that children get a medal each. It is uncommon to see single medals to a father and son from different wars and countries.
The first medal is a 1914-15 Star awarded to 2168 Richard Carruthers who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The second medal, a Pacific Star, was awarded to Richard's son, WX15641 John Carruthers. Both of these medals will be returned to the next generation of the family, John's daughter Annette.
Nicole is responsible for the research to find the family. These medals came to me from the WA RSL. The returned medal tally is now 1046.

Robert Vernon Gordon - WWII medal group

WX35201 Robert Vernon Gordon commenced his WWII service in WA but moved to NSW after the war. He continued to serve and was awarded the Efficiency Medal. This EM is the ERII version and I suspect that Robert must have been one of the first to have received this medal following the Queen's accession and the new medal being struck. Also with the group is the miniatures.
This group is from the the NSW box and the returned medal tally is now 1044.




Update

Unfortunately, I've been unable to fully post details of returns over the last couple of months. This post is of some pictures I have only just been able to take. I hope they help round out the story of these servicemen and their medals.
The post about Charles Frederick Fitzner now has photos.
This is the BWM awarded to 6787 Francisco Del Reigo as mentioned in this post.






This is the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 awarded to Athol Stewart Carter as first mentioned in this post. This medal is from the NSW RSL box. I've mentioned before the difference in naming styles between RAN, Army an RAAF medal awarded for service in WWII and this is another example of RAN naming.





In this post I mentioned the pay book of Clifford Normanby Graham. In fact the bundle of documents I received for this soldier also included his demobilisation procedure book and his record of service.