Irregular Postings on Coin Collecting & Numismatics - Both Canonical & Conanical

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Tag Archives: Orders

Sherlockian Honoured with British Empire Medal

Sherlockian Honoured with British Empire Medal

“You just do it for the honour of the thing”

– The Valley of Fear (VALL)

On December 27, 2019 the full 2020 New Years Honours List was announced. 315 people, out of 1,097 individuals on the entire list, were to become Medallists of the Order of the British Empire. In reviewing that list, we find the following entry:

Catherine Marie Cooke          For services to Libraries

Cooke is the Meetings Secretary for the Sherlock Holmes Society of London and received her investiture of “The Book of Life”in 1994 from the Baker Street Irregulars. She can now use the post-nominal letters “BEM.”

The British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service was created in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire and was replaced, in 1922, with the current British Empire Medal. Created originally with military and civil classes, it has only been awarded to civilians since 2012.

Suspended from a rose-pink ribbon with pearl-grey edges, the medal’s obverse features a seated Britannia while the reverse features the monogram of her majesty..

Congratulations to Ms.Cooke on this honour.

Thanks to the 13th Garrideb, Peter E.Blau, and to the 48th Garrideb, Roger Johnson, for alerting us to this news item.

The Decorated Sir Elton John

The Decorated Sir Elton John

“… Holmes refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described.” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs – (3GAR) Elton John receiving his Knighthood, 1998 During his long and illustrious career, Elton John has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II on three separate occasions, in addition to being awarded the Legion… Continue Reading

Holmes and Watson in the Great War: The Decorated Duo of Rathbone and Bruce

Holmes and Watson in the Great War: The Decorated Duo of Rathbone and Bruce

The noteworthy British actors received military honors NIGEL BRUCE (left) AND BASIL RATHBONE portrayed Dr. John Watson and detective Sherlock Holmes in the 1939 film adaptation of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. From 1939 to 1946, well-known British actors Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce costarred in 15 films and 220 radio programs as Sherlock Holmes and… Continue Reading

Michael Palin Now a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

Michael Palin Now a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

“If you have a fancy to see your name in the next honours list” – The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC)   Monty Python’s Michael Palin hosted the April 8, 1978 episode of Saturday Night Live and portrayed Holmes in a sketch Michael Palin’s name is familiar to fans of Monty Python, but many are not… Continue Reading

Faces of Holmes: Charlton Heston

Faces of Holmes: Charlton Heston

“… possible actors in this drama…” – The Adventure of the Second Stain (SECO) Charlton Heston as Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood Charlton Heston was a prolific actor in Hollywood. Upon his death in 2008, noted film critic Roger Ebert commented, “Heston made at least three movies that almost everybody eventually sees: Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments and Planet of… Continue Reading

Faces of Moriarty Leo McKern

Faces of Moriarty Leo McKern

“… an incomparable actor” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) Reginald “Leo” McKern (March 16, 1920 – July 23, 2002) was an Australian actor. While our group will focus on his portrayal of Professor James Moriarty in the 1975 musical comedy film, The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother, he is better known for his role as… Continue Reading

Faces of Mycroft: Hugh Laurie

Faces of Mycroft: Hugh Laurie

“If you have a fancy to see your name in the next honours list…” – The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC) Prince Charles presents Hugh Laurie with his CBE, November 21, 2018 We share the following report from the BBC: Hugh Laurie made a CBE by Prince Charles Actor Hugh Laurie has been made a… Continue Reading

Faces of Holmes: Peter Cushing

Faces of Holmes: Peter Cushing

“… this man here – is an actor.” – The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place (SHOS) John Mills as Watson, Peter Cushing as Holmes in The Masks of Death (1984). This would be Cushing’s last role as Holmes. My first introduction to Peter Cushing was as Grand Moff Tarkin in a 1976 movie Star Wars. I would later become familiar… Continue Reading