Breast badge, Grand Order of the Armaranth, Major Arthur Laurence Rook, Royal Horse Guards, 1956 (c)

Gilt metal Maltese cross with, on the obverse, a circular central medallion bearing the monogram 'AV' within a circlet inscribed, 'Memoria Dulcis' (Sweet Memory). The reverse bears the inscription, 'D. 6 Januarii 1653. D.24 Julii 1760'.

The Order of the Armaranth was founded in 1653 by Christina, Queen of Sweden, it is currently recognised as a 'social order' by the Swedish Court.

Major Rook was known as 'The Galloping Major' because of his skill as a horseman. He served with the Royal Horse Guards until 1954. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1945 for his bravery in Italy during 1944. He captured a German warrant officer and recovered a Dingo armoured vehicle whilst under fire.

After World War Two (1939-1945), Rook went on to become a European champion in three-day eventing. He competed in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki and, riding 'Wild Venture', he won a team gold medal at the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1956. Rook became a technical delegate for the International Equestrian Federation. Rook retired from the Army in 1954 and died in September 1989.

From a medal group awarded to Major Arthur Laurence Rook, Royal Horse Guards and Royal Artillery.