I joined RAF in Feb '43, demobbed direct from Occupation Forces in Germany in Jan '48. Still on active service in '45, when the range of intended Campaign Medals was approved, we were only issued with medal ribbons for our uniforms. If you wanted to receive your medal entitlement you had to apply for them to be sent to you by post. Both of my brothers saw overseas active service at the same time as me, one in Burma and the other in Africa. Eventually, years later, some well-intentioned member of the family decided, as a surprise Christmas present, to apply for the medal entitlements on behalf of all three of us. Subsequently, mine resided in their original box in a drawer in the garden shed and half of the box got eaten away by mice. Nobody talked about their wartime experiences, for there was no point in doing so! At that time, all of our circle of friends and associates had experienced the London Blitz before enlisting, or those who hadn't had had other wartime experiences. They were a thing of the past and best forgotten. We were too busy dealing with the complexities of food and clothing rationing, hire purchase of utility furniture and post-war austerity living to relive earlier events. It wasn't until I took up the offer, in 2004, of a Lottery Grant to return to Normandy that I decided I should retrieve my medals and have them mounted for the trip, like the other returning veterans. It was then that I discovered there was no recorded history of the RAF chums I lost on Omaha Beach, and that the bemedalled 4-star US Generals and politicians I met there weren't even aware of the service the RAF had provided to protect their assault troops on D-day, and subsequently throughout the battle of Normandy. My years of action to rectify this serious omission is extensively recorded on another thread.
Doctor D - Know the feeling..how many time have I heard - " what were you doing in Italy during the war " my usual response was - "dodging D Day " Cheers
Dad only ever wore his medals twice, 1994 & 2004, 50th & 60th anniversaries. Dad got £20 in 1950, annuity for the Military Medal, He referred to it as Churchill's blood money.
It truely sickens me the way that our service men & women are neglected, then & now. I almost joined up with the Army when I was 17. I am still deeply divided about whether I was right not to. I hear of so many stories of insufficient & faulty equipment etc. Maybe in part, that's another reason why I am passionate about our troops & troopesses <sic>. I have the utmost respect for anyone serving our country. I wear a poppy, of one form or another all year round & that doesn't include my tattoo. I am also a member of the Women's Section of the RBL. My sincere gratitude to all those who fought the fight & continue to do so. Pierce, I will happily post a picture of my tribute frame
There are many points of view to be considered regarding the so called Commemorative medals. These include the entitlement of next of kin to wear, on their right breast in commemoration of his/her service, the decorations and medals awarded to a deceased close relative. Also the recognition of those who served their country in a location, or at a time for which the authorities have made no provision for its recognition, e.g. National Service medal. Furthermore, some of those countries we liberated wish to demonstrate their gratitude by issuing a "Thank you" medal to those who participated in specific events, e.g., the Dutch "Thank You Liberators" medal. Although WW2 Veterans return to "commemorate the memory of those who fell", each French town holds an annual ceremony "to celebrate their liberation", with the French government issuing a commemorative decoration to veterans who return on a significant anniversary. Although I have personally never applied for any of them, I seem to have acquired a fair collection, sometimes by well intentioned junior members of my extended family in return for aid in their pursuit of school WW2 projects. My own release having been extensively delayed through the shortage of RAF personnel who were qualified in my "trade", I served alongside National Service recruits who found themselves posted to Germany for two years, but had nothing to distinguish them from other National Servicemen who served in closer proximity to their families. Although the RBL prohibits the wearing of such commercially- generated commemoration medals at official events, I have every sympathy for those who wish to demonstrate the contribution of their service to their country in respect of the National Service and the BAOR medals; and there may well be other similar criteria to consider such as the Hors de Combat medal I know from personal experience over the years that, if I'm standing fully be-medalled, my presentation attracts a monetary advantage to my Poppy Appeal collection box over those earlier occasions when I was seated without such adornments. This eases my embarrassment at being festooned like a Christmas tree - especially when one youngster exclaimed "Cor Mum, look at all his badges". :redface: :redface: We have still a long way to go to equal US military personnel! And if a red face means more money in the box, so be it!
I just posted on the previous thread on related matters. I am very interested to see the views and discussion here. My personal view as a Historian and Museum professional is that a person's individual service was important and the evidence of it is of vital importance to future understanding of what went on. This means we strive for unadulterated evidence. Similar to a legal case, any question of adulteration of the evidence can call it all into question. Of course it is up to you how you honour anyone's service - and well done, doing nothing is not an option - however please show caution in 'reconstructing' the past. Too many times I have had to try to pick out the real badges, documents and artefacts actually worn/used in service from replicas and commemoratives added by well meaning relatives. The oddest was dealing to the veteran who replaced the original badges on his jacket with "more correct" replicas especially for the museum. Early in my career I naively upset a widow of a London Blitz Volunteer Ambulance man by pointing out that "the torch he used to find bodies" had a 1960's patent date, despite looking like the one in the picture. The important point, I hope all you veterans can verify, is that wartime service was not done 'by the book'. Important lessons about the human condition in war have been learnt from evidence on uniform modified, badges (possibly locally made) worn in an unorthodox way, kit misused, and so forth. From the discussion so far I can see research into badges or awards authorised but not widely issued or used (e.g. wound stripes) would be valuable. Please bear in mind that altering the genuine evidence leads to problems down the line (what will it all look like in 50 years time - differences obvious to us may be hard to spot then). I hope this does not sound like a rant or dogma (NEVER be dogmatic!). Just food for thought. Thanks Keith
This is my work in progress. I am currrently waiting for an Hors de Combat miniature, a Normandy Campaign miniature & a wound stripe. I would appreciate any feedback on whether the beret is "fitting" or not. The background is a picture that I "borrowed" from the internet. It was originally colour, but I transformed it into black & white, except for the poppy. I appreciate that commemorative medals is a divisive subject. I sincerely hope that my use of them hasn't offended anyone. The very last thing that I would wish would be to undermine the significance & historical value of campaign medals. My Grandad's campaign medals mean so much more to me than they did to him.
That's a very nice collection and arrangement MJ, you should be happy with your efforts. I also have the POW medal which I keep separately in the box it was sent in.
Keith, misused kit has served me well!! i've used all sorts of radio equipment and crap left in the back of a wagon to cook in/eat out of in the absence of anything sensible or made for purpose. Mandy, Thats a lovely collection and one that's very well put together. when i said i'm not a fan of commemorative medals, it was a personal view of wearing them. i would never be offended and hope i haven't offended anyone with my views. the beret looks great by the way.
Thanks very much Bamboo & Pierce :biggrin: & no, Pierce, no offence taken! Owen....since you asked.... Bamboo, where did your POW medal come from?