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, November 16, 2010

More BC Follies

At a distance all looks fine, but wait,
what is that he is wearing around his neck?
An observant reader sent this photo of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. All looks fine from a distance, but His Honour is wearing the ribbon of his Order of British Columbia with the neck badge of his Order of St. John. It ceases to amaze me, and many blog followers, the many and sundry ways in which The Honourable Steven Point has managed to wear his orders, decorations, medals and Canadian Forces uniform incorrectly.
The Order of St. John worn with the ribbon of
 the Order of British Columbia
Full size medals with lapel pins?  Where is his OBC?
Mr. Point seems to like the mix and match approach.
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1 comment:

  1. William UnderhillMay 9, 2014 at 1:55 PM

    Slightly off the point, but related as it has to do with general appearance - at least he's managed to carry out the hand salute properly - hand nice and straight, no cocked wrist, etc.

    ReplyDelete

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