ROYAL ORDER OF
THE PHOENIX
(Basilikon Tagma toy Phoinikos)
Instituted on 13 May 1926 as a
Republican Order of Merit reserved for foreigners to replace the Royal
Order of George I. The Phoenix symbolises the re-birth of Hellenism with
the establishment of the Greek Republic. Its design was altered after the
re-establishment of the Monarchy and was renamed the Royal Order of the
Phoenix on 18 January 1936 (Hieronymussen, 1970). The new Order
could now be conferred upon Greek citizens, to reward them for
distinguished military or civil services. In 1941 with the outbreak of the
Second World War a military division of the Order was established. This
was awarded for acts of bravery in wartime.Its was renamed the Order of
the Phoenix and the crown removed on 7 September 1973 after the
proclamation of the Republic. Since then it has had the inscription on the
reverse of the medallion changed a number of times but remains a Greek
Order. The Knights Gold Cross of the Royal Order is shown at left in the
photo by Panos N. Tazedakis (Romanoff, 1987).
The Order has civil and military divisions of 5 classes: The badge of the Order is a
white enamelled 'cross pattée' in gold (silver for the 5th
class) pendent on a royal crown. The centre bears a Phoenix rising from
the ashes. The riband of the order is Orange with black selvedges and the
military badge of the order is provided with crossed swords
(Hieronymussen, 1970).
1st Class - Grand Cross (Badge on sash & Star)
2nd Class - Grand Commander (Badge on necklet & Star)
3rd Class - Commander (Badge on necklet)
4th Class - Knight's Gold Cross (Badge on chest riband)
5th Class - Knight's Silver Cross (Badge on chest riband)
GRAND CROSS WITH SWORDS
Air Marshall Sir Arthur CONINGHAM
RAF, in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the Royal
Hellenes Air Force. Gazetted in London Gazette 6 September 1946.
Previously served as a member of 5th Wellington Regiment in
Samoa 1914 and Canterbury Mounted Rifles on Gallipoli 1915. Later Air
Marshall Sir Arthur Coningham KCB KBE DSO MC DFC AFC Commander in Chief
RAF Flying Training Command 1945 to 1947.
[Gazette Entry] [RAF Web Entry]
KNIGHTS GOLD CROSS WITH SWORDS
20444 Lieutenant Colonel Arthur EDMONDS
Royal New Zealand
Engineers attached to Special Operations Executive and parachuted into
occupied Greece 1 October 1941 serving with Greek guerrillas. Listed in
London Gazette 16 January 1948. Later Lieutenant Colonel Edmonds MC
Mid.
KNIGHTS SILVER CROSS WITH SWORDS
96111 Captain Lewis James FROUDE
New Zealand
Divisional Signals, attached to British Military Mission 210 in 1942, as a
liaison officer with the Greek Signals unit of 1st Royal Greek
Brigade. Gazetted in London Gazette 20 June 1944.[Gazette Entry]
20082 Captain John Richard Saville SEALY
New Zealand Divisional Cavalry, attached to British Military
Mission 210 in 1942, as the Staff Captain of 1st Royal Greek
Brigade. Gazetted in London Gazette 20 June 1944.[Gazette Entry]
1036 Captain Godfrey Harry STACE
New Zealand Divisional Cavalry, it is believed that the award was
for attachment to British Military Mission 210 in 1942, as a liaison
officer with the 1st Royal Greek Brigade, but this is
unconfirmed. Gazetted in London Gazette 20 June 1944. Later Lieutenant
Colonel Stace Commanding Officer Divisional Cavalry March
1944.[Gazette Entry]
25381 Private Walter Alexander SMITH
18 Battalion, 12 Platoon member of the Body Guard for the King of the
Hellenes, Crete, May 1941. Initially gazetted as a Commerative Silver
Medal with Swords of the Royal Order of George I on 24 October 1941 with
the other members of 12 Platoon. However this was substituted with the
Silver Cross of the Order of the Pheonix in the London Gazette of 26
February 1954. The reason for this is unknown.