Hi Marion, This link is for a Friendly Society Research Group, who may be able to identify the sash and symbols for you (I have to wonder what a donkey is doing on a shepherd's sash?) http://www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/friendly-societies-research-group/fsrg-about-us.php There's a bit of background information on the Society on this One Name Study at the bottom of the page - http://www.yeosociety.com/biographies/selwoodfamily.htm Cheers Trish Nowra NSW > A relative has a blue and white sash about 6 inches wide with the > lettering L U O A S on it. Also there is an eight starred 'medal' fixed > which looks like one person giving a helping hand to somebody on the > ground. In the background there is a donkey. On the bottom of the sash > there appears to be a 'beehive' shape in what may have been gold rope with > tassels on the shape and also at the very bottom of the sash. If anybody > can give me any help/information/suggestions on what this may have been > for I would be very grateful. On the reverse of the sash it has G.Tutill > 83 City Rd London, we have contacted the address but this company no > longer exists. > Marion

Hi Trish, The reason for a donkey being depicted on the sash of the Ancient Order of Shepherds is probably based on which animal the 'good shepherd' entered Jerusalem? It is a matter of trying to put your head in the mindset of the time and at that time Christianity coloured every other consideration including friendly societies. Best D. Stuart Hammond

Hi Stuart (what's the D stand for?), Thanks for the explanation, I guessed it was something along those lines, although searching with google on a couple of Symbolism/Bible sites it shows the donkey as being the symbol for carrying a burden, and bees/beehives as a symbol of human social order (co-operative and productive) and their never-flagging labours made them an emblem of hardwork, industriousness, teamwork, charity, etc. Its an interesting subject, I found both my great-grandfather and one of his brothers were both Grand Masters in the Order of Oddfellows, and their regalia is fascinating, I'm still trying to decipher all the symbols. Cheers Trish Nowra NSW > Hi Trish, > The reason for a donkey being depicted on the sash of the Ancient Order of > Shepherds is probably based on which animal the 'good shepherd' entered > Jerusalem? > D. Stuart Hammond

Hi Trish, My grandfather Henry Sisley BIRCH was a member of the 'Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffalo' and when I found this out I became quite fascinated by their history and charitable activities. The D. is for my first name which I do not use. D. Stuart Hammond