Orders & Medals Research Society Australian Conference 2012

I have just returned from the very successful OMRS Australia Conference 2012 held in Canberra at the Mercure (formerly Olim's) Hotel from 19-21 October. Having been to the 2010 Conference, I can say that it continues to go from strength to strength with strong attendence this year, including several members from New Zealand. It's always great that collectors, researchers and historians can come together and share their knowledge and experience in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Happily, I was also able to have an 'Old China Hands' reunion with two other former members of the Hong Kong branch: Brian and Chris. Both are former Presidents of the HK Branch and I took over as Honorary Secretary from Chris in 2003. During the dinner held on the Saturday night Chris was also presented with the Society's Award of Merit in Gold in recognition of his contributions to medal collecting at large and the Hong Kong branch in particular. Well done Chris, a richly deserved award and long overdue. The Award comes with a certificate signed by the OMRS patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC. Brian was also there to talk about his new book on Corunna, his seventh military history publication. He brought several copies which were eagerly snapped up by the attendees.


Over the two days there were several presentations and a medal sale that included some spectacular lots including several Australian WWI casualties, a Royal Household group, several gallantry groups including MMs and MCs, and some foreign medals I was trying to sell but unfortunately didn't in the end. In the displays, some of the best groups I've seen in a long time included a Star of Courage group to an SAS soldier, and an OAM QPM group to an Australian policeman. There were also excellent displays ranging from the Boer War to the Dutch Expeditionary Cross.

As an aside, I was also able to pick up a great group to a Hong Kong fireman that somehow turned up in a dealer's auction in Canberra. It's a bit of a long story, so I'll leave it for another post.

What a great weekend it was, and full credit to the organisers Graeme and Mike. I can't wait until the next Conference in 2013!

Hong Kong medals - Poon Kwok-kuen, HK Civil Aid Service

My last post mentioned medals issued to members of the Hong Kong discplined services. What they did in the wake of the Hong Kong ferry disaster was certainly worthy of recognition, and our thoughts and prayers still go out to those affected by the tragedy of 1 October.

Hong Kong has several disciplined services ready to serve and protect and who issue medals to recognise that service:

HK Police Force
HK Auxiliary Police
Fire Services Department (includes Ambulance services)
HK Customs
HK Immigration
HK Correctional Services
Government Flying Service
HK Civil Aid Service (a volunteer civil defence service)
Auxiliary Medical Service (volunteer medical support force)
St. John Ambulance

I acquired the group above earlier in the year and it comprises the following medals (from left):

• Civil Defence Long Service Medal (EIIR) - unnamed
• HK Civil Aid Service Long Service Medal in Gold (engraved Poon Kwok Kuen in Chinese and English)
• HK Civil Aid Service Long Service Medal in Platinum (engraved Poon Kwok Kuen in Chinese and English)

The group was awarded to Senior Section Officer Poon Kwok-kuen, who joined the Civil Aid Service in 1971. The Civil Defence Long Service Medal is awarded for 15 years service. After Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, this was replaced by the Civil Aid Service Long Service Medal which comes in four classes:

Platinum - 30 years service
Gold - 25 years Service
Silver - 20 years service
Bronze - 15 years service

After the 1997 handover, those who had British long service awards automatically received the equivalent post-handover version. Mr. Poon therefore received the award in Gold as soon as the handover occurred, and the Platinum class in 2001. It would appear that members only received the one medal to recognise prior service, so Poon did not receive the Bronze and Silver classes as well.

Hong Kong medals very rarely come on the market, and intact groups even less so, and I'm very glad to have this rarity in my collection along with a number of other Hong Kong groups. Details of these other groups are for a later post though!

Over spent, AGAIN....

Just had a bit of a shopping spree during the long weekend and bought a few interesting items. They weren't overly expensive individually, but I had intended to set myself a low budget and ended up buying more items than originally expected!

List for this weekend:

British War Medal to the Army Ordnance Corps
Cuba - Order of Carlos Finlay
Cuba - Order of Lazaro Pena
Cuba - Medal of Emilio Barcenas
Indonesia - Group of 6

I seem to have developed a bit of an affection for the Cuban medals - I guess it's just the sheer variety (well over 60+ orders and medals to collect) plus the colourful and interesting designs, especially for the orders. They're also fairly cheap to obtain if you know where to look.

The Indonesian group is interesting; I have another group of 5 which I bought years ago for over US$200 but this new group of 6 cost less than US$70. Very happy with this purchase given the rarity of Indonesian mounted groups out there. Will be posting pics once the various purchases arrive.

On a different note, I just learned this morning of the maritime disaster in Hong Kong where two vessels collided last night, resulting in one sinking and killing at least 36 people. It's no doubt a tragedy but I can't help wondering what medals are going to be awarded for bravery?? The Firies in Hong Kong are super professional and masters of what they do (they once had to airlift my Dad from the bush when he got into difficulty during his usual Sunday hike). I have huge respect for them and no doubt there will be a few medals dished out by the HK Govt. I am always impressed at the professionalism and efficiency of the displined services back in HK so kudos to them for the great work done overnight in rescuing those affected by the disaster.