Does anyone out there speak Czech.

[macandpud]

As well as collecting badges,I sometimes pick up other things of interest.A few years ago I picked up this substantial group of ww1/2 medals to a Czech officer. Its pretty impressive and came with an unnamed group photo and the man`s certificate for his ww1 Victory Medal. I can make out that in ww1 he was a Captain in the Czech Russian Legion but i cannot make out the mans name. Its written in a Particular script and I need a Czech speaker to decipher it.I`m sur there must be one amongst the thousands of members out there. The photo shows a mix of Czech army and Air force officers with British officers on a War time airfield.I suppose one of them is him. I should think that by then he was pretty high ranking.Any help or ideas will be most appreciated.Andrew

[Chipper]

Hi Andrew, I'm in Hong Kong at the moment, but I have 2 Czech friends back in France, If you don't get an answer before I am back (in 2 weeks), I'll run it past them.

Cheers, Tim

[macandpud]

Cheers Tim. I knew there would be someone out there who knows.All the best Andrew

[Busy Bee]

Good evening.

I speak not a word of Czech, but I was struck by the picture. The posture of the men and the mix of uniforms struck a chord.

I am probably completely wrong, and you will think this is barking mad, but try Googling images of Bomber Harris.

I'd be prepared to lay a small bet that the chap second from the left in the front row is Harris. And, I have a suspicion I recognize the man third from the right in the front row too.

Regards

BB

[macandpud]

Dear BB .Interesting!!!! He is certainly wearing an Air Officers piped side cap,has three rows of medals and has one thick and it looks like three narrow braids on his sleeve but i can`t see a moustache. I believe Bomber Harris always sported one but it could be the angle of the picture? Cetainly worth a second look.Many thanks.Andrew

[Alex Rice]

My wife's family is Czech but I'm away at the moment. Will be home in 10 days and if you're still stuck, I'm sure I can get it translated.
Cheers,
Alex

[macandpud]

Many thanks Alex.I would be most grateful as then I can really start to research the group.All the best Andrew

[Alex Rice]

Hi Andrew
PM sent.
Cheers,
Alex

[Paul Spellman]

You could try a google translation but this may be of interest
www.fcafa.com
Paul

[skyeman]

pm me, Czech is my 1st language.

[David Tremain]

I don't see anyone looking like Bomber Harris.

David

[Chipper]

Hi Andrew, not sure if this has been resolved yet, but just in case not, Mt Czech friend has finally come back to me, and this is what he had to say:

It certainly Czech, it seem like some Certificate from Minister of defence of Czechoslovakia from the time of so called first republic (1918 - 1938).

"I dont understand why it has such a fancy font, it is difficult to read even for me and doesnt make 100% sense for me even after I transfered the font, I think it should be in normal font "kapitánu ruslegií za Vlleskému" maybe you can see it now as well.
it means in english to "captain of Russian legion Mr. Vllesky" (the name is conjugated, so I assume it should be Vllesky, but it doesnt sound like typical Czech name with double LL."

Hope this helps a bit

Cheers, Tim

[macandpud]

Many thanks Tim,that`s a good starting point for me researching the group of medals.All the best to you and your Czech friend.Andrew

[Chipper]

Glad to be able to help. Let us know how you go

Cheers, Tim