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The Queen’s Orders of Chivalry The Queen’s Orders of Chivalry by Brigadier Sir Ivan De la Bere is a 1964 revised edition from Spring Books, Westbrook House, London. The book is a hard cover, fully bound volume of 228 pages in 16 chapters with index, black and white illustrations and drawings. It was printed in Czechoslovakia by Tisk, Brno. The original copy- right is by William Kimber and Co. Ltd, 1961. In spite of having only a minor interest in British orders, I find this book fascinating because it contains so much detail on orders, decorations and medals. In addition to giving the Collar Days and the order of precedence of insignia, it has rules for wearing breast stars, for wearing more than one neck-badge, for wearing insignia on mess dress, full evening dress, dinner jacket, etc., for wearing miniatures, and for wearing of insignia by ladies. The general rules for acceptance and wear of foreign orders, decorations and medals are included. De la Bere presents an historical overview of the origins and purposes of honors before describing the specific orders. In his overview he discusses many points in contention such as the need for recognition of sports figures by an unique award, the troublesome increase in awards in contemporary times, substitution of one gallantry cross and one gallantry medal for the military services, the elimination of some awards, and the great amount of insignia of deceased members in the hands of overseas dealers and collectors. Following the discussion of knighthood there are seven fully developed and highly informative chapters on the Garter, Thistle, Bath, Saint Michael and Saint George, Royal Victorian Order and Royal Victorian Chain, Order of the British Empire, and the Orders of Merit and Companions of Honour. These chapters contain from six to forty-three pages of history, protocol, description and characteristics of these unique institutions. Some of the information is now dated, of course, but it is still interesting because of the names of those in the orders by grade at the time of publication, the names of the initial Knights, and the number permitted for appointment by class in most orders. I can not judge the authenticity of the author’s comments and data, but he appears to speak from experience, knowledge and interest. De la Bere served as Secretary of the Central Chancery of Knighthood, Saint James Palace, from 1945 to 1960. In addition, he has been awarded the K.C.V.O., the C.B., and the C.B.E. This book is rich in interesting historical fact and legend about the orders, the recipients, and the personality and motivations of the founding sovereigns. He cites the Canadian Government’s on and off again requests for discontinuence of the granting of titular honors to Canadians in 1919 and again in 1935. He discloses the rule that the Garter is awarded only to Christians and he mentions the sale of honors for donations to political funds controlled by the Prime Minis- ter, David Lloyd George, in the years just after the Great War. There are examples of unsuccessful maneuvers for awards as well as the cor- rect procedures for submitting a recommendation for civilians and for those still in government service. Chapter Ten covers the obsolescent Orders of Saint Patrick, "Star of India, Indian Empire, Crown of India, and Victoria and Albert. The Saint Patrick fell victim to Irish politics and the Indian orders have been discontinued since 1947. The Crown of India and the Victoria and Albert were awarded exclusively to women. In discussing precedence, the author classifies insignia as Special Awards (Victoria Cross and George Cross), Orders of Knighthood and other Orders (including the DSO), Decorations (DSC, DFC, etc.), Medals for Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct (DCM, DSM, MM, etc.), War Medals, Polar Medals, Police Medals for Valuable Services, Jubilee, Coronation and Durbar ~dals, and Efficiency and Long Service Decorations and Medals. This section has notes on Mention in Despatches, King’s Commendations and Queen’s Commendations, including instructions for wear- ing the emblem when a General Service Medal or Campaign Medal has not been granted. He lists 155 items in these classifications including such relatively unusual items as the Ceylon Police Medal for Merit, the Royal Naval Wireless Auxiliary Rescue Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, the Nigerian Independence Medal, etc. The 16th and last chapter deals with the insignia that must be returned at death. Some items are expected to be returned privately and person- ally to the Sovereign by the nearest male relative of the deceased holder (the badge and star of the Garter and Thistle; the badge of Saint Patrick) while other items of the Garter, Thistle and Saint Patrick and lesser insignia are returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. Because this book contains examples of placement of maximum insignia on Army full dress, Air Force home dress and an Admiral’s full dress, details on the next-of-kin presentation ceremonies, categories of persons authorized to attend an investiture at Buckingham Palace, identity of the Grand Masters of the Orders, and descriptions and some photographs of collars, badges and ribbons of orders, it should be a valuable addition to the library of those persons who have a special interest in British orders. For collectors or students interested in other British decorations or medals, De la Bere’s book provides valu- able detail on their relationship to the more colorful, sensational and valuable orders. Glenn A. McConnell, #1019 POLISH MUSEUM PRESERVES CULTURAL HERITAGE The Polish Museum of America is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Americans of Polish descent. Three floors of a building at 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. j Chicago are crammed with memorabilia.to accomplish this end. There are uniformsj medals~ swords~ intricate wood carvings and much more, The Museum is the largest of the kind in this country. Open i to 4 p.m. daily with free parking. A few days after Jesse Owens received the country’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Free- dom, from President Gerald R. Ford, he visited Chairman Arthur M Wood in Sears Tower. As Wood was congratulating the 1936 Olym- pic Gold Medal winner, the com- pany’s chief executive commented that he was there in that Berlin stadium when Jesse Owens won the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400- meter relay and broad jump com- petitions and forced Adolf Hilter to leave the stadium rather than acknowledge the superb victories of a black American. No place for politics As he presented the medal, Ford commented that Owens proved long ago that attempts to use the Olympic Games for international power politics will ultimately back- fire. The President explained to athtetes of the t976 Otympics who were gathered at the White House this month that when Hitler was trying to turn the Games into a spectacle that would glorify racist dogma of the Nazi State, there was a strong movement in the U.S. against our participation in the Games. As it turned out," Ford said, "U. S. participation in those Olym- pics provided a sharp rebuke of Hitler’s racist rubbish. Five black American athletes won eight gold medals in track and field. One American athlete in particular proved that excellence knows no racial or political limits. That man is Jesse Owens." About him, the medal citation reads in part, "his faith in America has inspired countless others to Chairman Arthur M, Wood admires the Medal of Freedom presented do their best for themselves and to 1936 Olympic Gold Medal winner Jesse Owens by P.resident Ford. their country." FROM~ SEARS TOWER NEWS August 20, 1976 Thanks to Stephen Cart .

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