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I have found the below picture of my ancestor. It was taken approximately in the early 1900's in New South Wales, Australia.

I don't think he was knighted. I have found a census record that he was a dispatch clerk though. I didn't think the attire would be so complicated for that. Perhaps he was promoted.

What is he wearing?

Man from New South Wales, Australia, early 1900's

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    It doesn't look like he's wearing a uniform - rather a simple suit, shirt and necktie. However, he is obviously wearing some kind of sash with a tassled star and some other decoration, on top of a ribbon with another medal. I'm trying to dig up some information on honours/awards from the period, but not matching anything yet.
    – user13123
    Jul 14, 2017 at 4:22
  • Is it possible that your ancestor had a knighthood?
    – user13123
    Jul 14, 2017 at 4:24
  • I don't think he was knighted . I have found a census record that he was a despatch clerk though. I didn't think the attire would be so complicated for that. Perhaps he was promoted
    – Bradley Harding
    Jul 14, 2017 at 4:28
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    It could be a freemason's regalia (or similar organisation), they do have these neck collars and sashes (with a variety of embellishments).
    – Steve Bird
    Jul 14, 2017 at 5:08

1 Answer 1

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I agree with the comments, it doesn't look military in nature. Looking at various organization, I finally found an item listed on ebay which seems to match both the wide emblem and the tasseled 8-point star with cross inset.enter image description here

I've zoomed in on part of the image showing the large emblem on the sash, revealing the motto Amicitia Amor et Veritas or in English: "Friendship, Love and Truth". So it appears your ancestor was an Odd Fellow (no insult intended).

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    Excellent find - that must have taken some work.
    – user13123
    Jul 15, 2017 at 1:00
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    Just got a lucky hit on the search phrase. (After eliminating military medals from the era, and some reading on the Organizations in Australia from that time period).Wish I could find the meaning of the star however.
    – justCal
    Jul 15, 2017 at 1:18

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