Introduction

Over the past decade we have noticed a rampant increase in the number of people who are wearing their orders, decorations and medals incorrectly. The cadre of people who flagrantly violate the official rules on how you are supposed to wear your medals ranges from the average veteran right up to current and former Governors General. Indeed, there is much evidence to suggest that the higher the rank of the individual the more likely they are to just wear whatever they want, however they want. We like to think of this as “Instant Dictator Syndrome” or self-aggrandizement at its most obvious.

Why do people wear their medals incorrectly? Often it is because they simply do not know any better. If you are one of these people you should consult WEARING ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS which is available from the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall. This guide will help you figure out how you are supposed to wear your officially granted orders, decorations and medals.

When it comes to wearing your medals incorrectly the worst offenders tend to be former Governors General, Lieutenant Governors and retired Generals. When these people – all in authority and all surrounded by staff who know better – wear their medals wrong they are obviously suffering from the dreaded Instant Dictator Syndrome. The attitude accompanied with this most severe condition is “the more medals I wear the more important I will look.”

This simple blog is aimed at revealing the myriad of fellow Canadians who cannot seem to wear their medals correctly.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

So Many Errors: Offender of the Summer

A loyal reader came across this photo of Roy H. Vickers, CM, OBC, displayed on the front of a magazine. Mr. Vickers is a well regarded artist and motivational speaker. We can only hope that he does not wear his medals frequently. It is also our sincere hope that in speaking motivationally he does not delve into the topic of wearing medals.


So what all is wrong with our Offender of the Summer as shown on the right? We will not pass judgement on his lack of a neck or bow tie.

Mr. Hugo Vickers (aka Mr. Wrong)


Around his neck, where he should be wearing his full size Order of British Columbia, we see Mr. Vickers wearing some sort of amulet? Perhaps he has been watching too many Dracula movies.

When dressing as Count Dracula,
avec amulet/neck doodad,
you do not wear full or miniature
size medals on the breast.

When wearing medals gentlemen should refrain from wearing amulets or necklaces -- this is a rule that will serve any man well, regardless of whether or not he is wearing medals. If you happen to be Dracula or a member of his clan you are exempted from this rule thanks to Hollywood custom. 


Placing the lack of a neck or bow tie and presence of the amulet/neck doodad to the side, we pass to Mr. Vickers' group. He seems to be following the mix-and-match method of medal wear. The Member of the Order of Canada insignia is being worn correctly, then we have a miniature Order of British Columbia, for which there is NEVER an occasion to wear when also wearing your full size insignia Member of the Order of Canada insignia or full size medals. This is followed by a blue and white ribbon, which looks very much like the ribbon from the Egypt Medal (1882-1889), a medal awarded to just under 400 Canadians who served as boatmen on the Nile in the 1880s. Perhaps Mr. Vickers is wearing this in honour of some long departed relative who served on the Nile. Needless to say, this blue and white ribbon needs to be removed. The Egypt Medal ribbon is followed by his Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in full size form, which is correct. 


Mr. Vickers, given that you received a Diamond Jubilee Medal last year, we here at Wearing Your Medals Wrong strongly suggest that you have your medals properly mounted. Your full size group (for wear during the day) should display as follows:-  Member of the Order of Canada, Golden Jubilee Medal and Diamond Jubilee Medal, with your Order of British Columbia worn around the neck (in place of the amulet thing you have on in the photo presented here). For your miniature group (for wear in the evening) you will have to purchase these yourself, other than the miniature OBC which you already have, and your mini group should display:- Member of the Order of Canada, Order of British Columbia, Golden Jubilee Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal, and you should wear your full size OBC around your neck on a miniature ribbon. Any military tailor will be able to assist you in correcting your medals faux pas. We are a forgiving lot here at Wearing Your Medals Wrong and would take great pleasure in adding an entry about how you have reformed. 

Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Here's one:

    http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/06/18/toronto_star_staff_among_recipients_of_diamond_jubilee_honours.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 5, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    I might add this one:
    http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Bravery+personified/4742881/story.html

    Never one to begrudge a brave firefighter from wearing their medals, and I understand the MB was just awarded - it is properly laced anyway - the recipient is wearing a swing mounted medal bar with the ghastly OFFMB and another medal at the end of his original bar which look incongruent. Not because of the odd size of the OFFMB, but also because they should have been court mounted. The last medal looks like it's falling off.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)