Italy, Kingdom. A Cased Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, Grand Cross Breast Star, c. 1900 by Cravanzola of Rome Auction with a crown and crescent

with a crown and crescent moon indicating German manufacture and a silver content number of “800”

where the unit suffered heavy casulties

A gas shell explosion forced him back into the trench

the left collar tab displays three silvered rank pips

Italy, Kingdom. A Cased Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, Grand Cross Breast Star, c. 1900 by Cravanzola of Rome Auction with a crown and crescent(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro). Instituted September 16th, 1572. (c. 1900 issue). Constructed of silver, consisting of an eight pointed star with a multi faceted surface, the obverse with a white enameled Shamrock Cross with three raised roundels on each end of the cross, with green enameled fans in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the reverse plain, with a barrel hinge, tapered vertical pinback, and rightward opening broad wire