At the recent Market Garden commemoration I saw this veteran wearing a 1939-45 star, but no other campaign-specific stars. Surely that is impossible (unless he's lost a medal). A soldier had to serve 6 months anywhere to get the 1939-45 star, but to get a campaign-specific star, eg Burma, France and Germany etc, the qualification period was less. So you might earn a campaign-specific star but not the 1939-45 star. But the other way round was impossible. I'm not an expert on this. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong.
He's wearing the same medals as my grandfather. He got a 39/45 Star and War Medal for service with the BEF 1939-40 and then the Defence for service in the UK. Men who were killed in 1939-40, or were taken POW in 1940, only got the 39/45 Star and War Medal. Because they did not serve in any later campaigns they got no other Stars.
Thanks Paul. That's clear. BTW I saw a surprising number with the France and Germany Star but no 1939-45 Star, meaning I presume that they arrived in the Netherlands in 1945. Bart
At the recent Market Garden commemoration I saw this veteran wearing a 1939-45 star, but no other campaign-specific stars. Surely that is impossible (unless he's lost a medal). A soldier had to serve 6 months anywhere to get the 1939-45 star, but to get a campaign-specific star, eg Burma, France and Germany etc, the qualification period was less. So you might earn a campaign-specific star but not the 1939-45 star. But the other way round was impossible. I'm not an expert on this. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong. Bart, an old Veteran I know has very similar medals. He joined up in 44, but didnt serve abroad, as was still carrying out basic training, but still qualified for the 39-45 star. 1st action he saw was Palestine post war. P
Phil, That's odd. According to this website you had to serve OVERSEAS to get the 1939-45 Star. Ministry of Defence | Defence For... | Veterans | Medals | 1939 - 1945 Star
