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Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen:
While at a garage sale I was going through a box full of costume jewelry and in the bottom of the box I spotted a medal ribbon.....
On pulling it out of the box attached to the ribbon I found the Canadian Centennial Medal......
I asked the seller what they wanted for it and was told $1.00 Canadian which I gladly paid.....
I was then informed that there were some certificates in the house that are about the man who was awarded the medal......
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The first to be handed to me was the framed award certificate for the Canadian Centennial Medal, shown and described below.....
Surmounted by the Canadian Coat of Arms
On the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary
of the Confederation of Canada
the Centennial Medal is conferred on
Frank G. Ballachey, Esquire
In recognition of valuable service to the nation.
July 1st, 1967
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The second frame that was given to me held a Letter from the then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.......
Surmounted by the Canadian Coat of Arms
Prime Minister - Premier Ministre
Ottawa, K1A 0A2
November 29, 1985
Dear Mr. Ballachey
I am writing to thank you for your outstanding contributions to our country as a member of the Study Team on Culture and Communications Task Force on Program Review.
Your experience, dedication and leadership have contributed greatly to the study team. I know that my colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister, is most grateful for your volunteer contribution.
The decision of the Task Force Ministers to include both private and public sector individuals in their work is a welcome experiment in public administration. I am particularly grateful to you for so generously making your time available to the Government of Canada.
Again, thank you for your dedicated services to your country.
Yours Sincerely,
Brian Mulroney
Mr. Frank George Ballachey
Consultant,
F. Ballachey Associates Inc.,
Suite 310
90 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5T6
There is also a small card.........
Deputy Prime Minister (Canadian Coat of Arms) Vice-premier ministre
In grateful appreciation
of your
dollar-a-year contribution
to Canada
And a Framed Dollar Bill......
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I feel that this is the crowning piece, apart from the medal of course............
In the Upper Left is the Great Seal of Canada with the signature Alexander of Tunis
Below the seal....
(Signature Unable to read)
For Attorney General, Canada
CANADA
George the Sixth by the Grace of God of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith.
To All and Singular to whom these Presents shall come,- Greetings
Whereas We have thought it necessary for encouraging Canadian citizens trading to China to appoint as Vice Consul of Canada at Shanghai China, to take care of Canadian citizens and to aid and assist them in all their lawful and mercantile concerns.
Now Know Ye that We reposing special trust and confidence in the discretion and faithfulness of Our Trusted and Well Beloved
Frank George Ballachey
Esquire have nominated and constituted and appointed, as We do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint him the said Frank George Ballachey to be a
Vice Consul of Canada in China
As aforesaid, hereby giving and granting unto him Full Power and Authority by all lawful means to aid and protect those Canadian citizens who may trade with or visit or reside within his Consular District, and to hold the said office during our pleasure with all rights, privileges and immunities thereunto appertaining.
And We do hereby strictly enjoin and require all Canadian citizens to take due notice of this Our Commission and yield obedience thereto.
In Testimony Whereof We have caused by these (Our) letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.
Witness: Our Right and Trusted and Well beloved Cousin Harold Rupert Leofric George Viscount Alexander of Tunis, Knight of (Our) Most Noble (Order) of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of (Our) Most Noble Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of (Our) Most Distinguished (Order) of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion of (Our) Most Exultant (Order) of the Star of India, Companion of (Our) Distinguished Service Order upon whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross, Field Marshall in (Our) Army, Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada.
At (Our) Government House, in (Our) City of Ottawa, this third day of June in the year of (Our) Lord one thousand, nine hundred and forty-eight in the twelfth year of (Our) Reign.
By Command
Louis St. Laurent
Secretary of State for External Affairs
Recorded 14th July 1948
Liber 401, Folio 542
(Unable to read signature)
Acting Secretary of State of Canada
(Unable to read signature)
Deputy Registrar General of Canada
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Most of the signatures have very badly faded as this Commission must have been left hanging in the sun.....
I again asked the seller what she wanted for all the pieces and was quoted a price which gave me change from a $20.00 bill....... To me it is a priceless piece of Canadian history especially when you think of what was happening in China in 1948 and onwards......
Additional Information:
A search of his name shows that he was a bit of a mover in the political field, should be some good research, as well as China I note that in 1955 Mr. Frank Ballachey, was, Acting Canadian Commissioner, International Commission for Supervision and Control in Laos (Aug.-Sep.55); Adviser to Canadian Commissioner, International Commission for Supervision and Control in Laos (Sep 55.-April 56).. He would have been entitled to the International Commission for Supervision and Control medal and if he received that he would have been eligible to claim the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal.
There appears to be mentions in a couple of books about Canadian peace keepers, and a document concerned with the US Flying Tigers in China in 1948, Writen by a Paul W. Frillmann, 1912-1972 (Male, Missionary) possible due to his China / Shanghai consul work?, in one book there is a copy of a document with his signature on. link to document:
Http://books.google.com/books?id=aaJPdaCsXewC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=f+g+BALLACHEY+a+canadian+peacekeeper&source=bl&ots=LuZDO9XRWB&sig=YN-aWzCpP4-3fPb_5Bf4QVrulkU&hl=en&ei=5gOUSu6yN5a8jAfjt8zrDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
The name of the book is, Land of a Million Elephants: Memoirs of a Canadian Peacekeeper, By John E. G. De Domenico
He appears to have resigned from the Canadian Dept. of External Affairs in July 1960
I contacted the National Archives and Dept.. Of External Affairs......
Rec'd a reply from National Archives...... They say that due to his Diplomatic work his files and papers have been sealed until the year 2035...... Will I still be around in 2035 I certainly hope so......
I phoned them and talked to a clerk and found that they can send me some very basic information if I sent it a Freedom of Information Act request but on the whole his files would be heavily censored......
They said also I could contact Dept.. of External Affairs.....
I still think that I will be the proud custodian (for a time, at least to 2035 I hope) of a very important piece of Canadian and World history.....
Mike
While at a garage sale I was going through a box full of costume jewelry and in the bottom of the box I spotted a medal ribbon.....
On pulling it out of the box attached to the ribbon I found the Canadian Centennial Medal......
I asked the seller what they wanted for it and was told $1.00 Canadian which I gladly paid.....
I was then informed that there were some certificates in the house that are about the man who was awarded the medal......
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The first to be handed to me was the framed award certificate for the Canadian Centennial Medal, shown and described below.....
Surmounted by the Canadian Coat of Arms
On the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary
of the Confederation of Canada
the Centennial Medal is conferred on
Frank G. Ballachey, Esquire
In recognition of valuable service to the nation.
July 1st, 1967
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The second frame that was given to me held a Letter from the then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.......
Surmounted by the Canadian Coat of Arms
Prime Minister - Premier Ministre
Ottawa, K1A 0A2
November 29, 1985
Dear Mr. Ballachey
I am writing to thank you for your outstanding contributions to our country as a member of the Study Team on Culture and Communications Task Force on Program Review.
Your experience, dedication and leadership have contributed greatly to the study team. I know that my colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister, is most grateful for your volunteer contribution.
The decision of the Task Force Ministers to include both private and public sector individuals in their work is a welcome experiment in public administration. I am particularly grateful to you for so generously making your time available to the Government of Canada.
Again, thank you for your dedicated services to your country.
Yours Sincerely,
Brian Mulroney
Mr. Frank George Ballachey
Consultant,
F. Ballachey Associates Inc.,
Suite 310
90 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5T6
There is also a small card.........
Deputy Prime Minister (Canadian Coat of Arms) Vice-premier ministre
In grateful appreciation
of your
dollar-a-year contribution
to Canada
And a Framed Dollar Bill......
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I feel that this is the crowning piece, apart from the medal of course............
In the Upper Left is the Great Seal of Canada with the signature Alexander of Tunis
Below the seal....
(Signature Unable to read)
For Attorney General, Canada
CANADA
George the Sixth by the Grace of God of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith.
To All and Singular to whom these Presents shall come,- Greetings
Whereas We have thought it necessary for encouraging Canadian citizens trading to China to appoint as Vice Consul of Canada at Shanghai China, to take care of Canadian citizens and to aid and assist them in all their lawful and mercantile concerns.
Now Know Ye that We reposing special trust and confidence in the discretion and faithfulness of Our Trusted and Well Beloved
Frank George Ballachey
Esquire have nominated and constituted and appointed, as We do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint him the said Frank George Ballachey to be a
Vice Consul of Canada in China
As aforesaid, hereby giving and granting unto him Full Power and Authority by all lawful means to aid and protect those Canadian citizens who may trade with or visit or reside within his Consular District, and to hold the said office during our pleasure with all rights, privileges and immunities thereunto appertaining.
And We do hereby strictly enjoin and require all Canadian citizens to take due notice of this Our Commission and yield obedience thereto.
In Testimony Whereof We have caused by these (Our) letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.
Witness: Our Right and Trusted and Well beloved Cousin Harold Rupert Leofric George Viscount Alexander of Tunis, Knight of (Our) Most Noble (Order) of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of (Our) Most Noble Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of (Our) Most Distinguished (Order) of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion of (Our) Most Exultant (Order) of the Star of India, Companion of (Our) Distinguished Service Order upon whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross, Field Marshall in (Our) Army, Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada.
At (Our) Government House, in (Our) City of Ottawa, this third day of June in the year of (Our) Lord one thousand, nine hundred and forty-eight in the twelfth year of (Our) Reign.
By Command
Louis St. Laurent
Secretary of State for External Affairs
Recorded 14th July 1948
Liber 401, Folio 542
(Unable to read signature)
Acting Secretary of State of Canada
(Unable to read signature)
Deputy Registrar General of Canada
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Most of the signatures have very badly faded as this Commission must have been left hanging in the sun.....
I again asked the seller what she wanted for all the pieces and was quoted a price which gave me change from a $20.00 bill....... To me it is a priceless piece of Canadian history especially when you think of what was happening in China in 1948 and onwards......
Additional Information:
A search of his name shows that he was a bit of a mover in the political field, should be some good research, as well as China I note that in 1955 Mr. Frank Ballachey, was, Acting Canadian Commissioner, International Commission for Supervision and Control in Laos (Aug.-Sep.55); Adviser to Canadian Commissioner, International Commission for Supervision and Control in Laos (Sep 55.-April 56).. He would have been entitled to the International Commission for Supervision and Control medal and if he received that he would have been eligible to claim the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal.
There appears to be mentions in a couple of books about Canadian peace keepers, and a document concerned with the US Flying Tigers in China in 1948, Writen by a Paul W. Frillmann, 1912-1972 (Male, Missionary) possible due to his China / Shanghai consul work?, in one book there is a copy of a document with his signature on. link to document:
Http://books.google.com/books?id=aaJPdaCsXewC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=f+g+BALLACHEY+a+canadian+peacekeeper&source=bl&ots=LuZDO9XRWB&sig=YN-aWzCpP4-3fPb_5Bf4QVrulkU&hl=en&ei=5gOUSu6yN5a8jAfjt8zrDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
The name of the book is, Land of a Million Elephants: Memoirs of a Canadian Peacekeeper, By John E. G. De Domenico
He appears to have resigned from the Canadian Dept. of External Affairs in July 1960
I contacted the National Archives and Dept.. Of External Affairs......
Rec'd a reply from National Archives...... They say that due to his Diplomatic work his files and papers have been sealed until the year 2035...... Will I still be around in 2035 I certainly hope so......
I phoned them and talked to a clerk and found that they can send me some very basic information if I sent it a Freedom of Information Act request but on the whole his files would be heavily censored......
They said also I could contact Dept.. of External Affairs.....
I still think that I will be the proud custodian (for a time, at least to 2035 I hope) of a very important piece of Canadian and World history.....
Mike
