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

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Tag Archives: Decorations

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

No Bar For Maiwand (1965)

No Bar For Maiwand (1965)

“… I should have had a medal …” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) In dusty corners of old curio shops, there is often a little tray of tarnished trinkets. Amongst the buttons and pen-knives, I have sometimes found an old campaign medal with faded ribbon – and finally, after a long search and many… 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

The Unauthorized [and Illicit] Dr. Watson Battle of Maiwand Bar

The Unauthorized [and Illicit] Dr. Watson Battle of Maiwand Bar

“The campaign brought honours and promotion to many, but for me it had nothing but misfortune and disaster.” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) Facsimile of Dr. John Watson’s 2nd Afghan War Medal With the [at last and about time] Long Overdue Maiwand Bar* For the believer in versimilitude actual 2nd Afghan War Medals may… 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

Numismatic Items in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother

Numismatic Items in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother

“… my unhappy brother…” – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) Gene Wilder wrote, directed and starred in the 1975 musical comedy The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother. Wilder would portray Sigerson while being assisted by Marty Feldman’s character of Orville Sacker, a Scotland Yards record clerk with a “photographic” memory for hearing. They would investigate… Continue Reading