'Foreign' Medal Awards

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by 2EastYorks, Aug 6, 2010.

  1. 2EastYorks

    2EastYorks Senior Member

    Hi everyone

    Apologies if this doesn't sound 'right'.

    As I've posted previously I wrote to the MOD Medals Office and found out what medals my Grandad was awarded for his service. No-one in the family can ever recall seeing them, although he definitely claimed them, and so I purchased replacements. I'm in the process of looking at having the medals framed as I think that it is important to honour his achievements/service (I know the medals that I've bought are not his medals but I'm sure you understand the sentiment).

    However, my question is I've seen elsewhere around on the net that Vets have been awarded foreign medals from the countries that they helped to liberate. How can I find out if my Grandad was eligible for any of these? Where do I start? Or should I just leave it? I ask the latter question as I wonder if they should just be reserved for the Vets and not someone claiming on their behalf.

    Apologies if that doesn't make sense, I know what I'm trying to say!
     
  2. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Matt,

    I stand to be corrected, but I think that if your Grandfather was awarded a foereign medal for an act of bravery during the conflict, then this would almost certainly be recorded on his military record.

    A lot of campaign type medals were issued by foreign governments as recognition for the veterans service for their country during the conflict.

    These medals were issued post war from the respective government defence departments and not through the MOD system.

    They were sent direct to the soldier after he replied.

    I know in the case of my late father, he found out late in life that he was entitled to a medal from Greece.

    He applied and was asked to provide proof of his service from the MOD, which was provided.

    A nice medal and scroll were later received (See my Profile Page albums).

    When I applied for his service record there was no mention, which is what I would have expected.

    If you know where your father served, than you can contact the respective Military Defence attache of the country concerned via their Embassy.

    I hope that this may be of help to you.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  3. 2EastYorks

    2EastYorks Senior Member

    Hello Tom
    Thanks for that. I've rattled off an email to the French embassy to start off with to see what that brings about, I'll keep you posted with any results.
    I had a look at your albums, your father was a very handsome chap! I liked your medal case, can you tell me where you had that done?
     
  4. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I used to live in Fulwood, the north part of Preston in Lancashire.

    It was at an art shop on Watling street road that I bought all my picture frames from and I asked them to make a special frame for me and I showed them the layout I wanted and left it to them.

    The medals were not in the correct order and after receiving suitable advice from a Veteran on the forum, they are now correct except for the centre Greek medal, which would not normally be there, but seeing that they are purely for private display I thought no harm in placing them all together as the star fits in with the others.

    I am sure that any reputable art shop would undertake the same kind of work for you.

    Best of luck with the enquiries.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  5. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    If this helps? The Normandy Veterans have been awarded quite a few medal by the French and the Dutch since the war, mainly as a thank you gesture. In all, counting the official medals, I have something like 15. They were given as a thank you for their freedom.

    There is a point of view that says...We should only wear official medals. (some are badges) That to me seems churlish, as the medals awarded were given by a grateful country for the sacrifices that gave them their liberty from Nazi rule.. Me? I have worn them but seldom get them out anyway.

    Recently. A respected Normandy dignitary came to my home to award me a bar to one of the medals.... With photographers and press. If it is that important? then surely we should wear them?
    I await your comments ?
    sapper
     
  6. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    If this helps? The Normandy Veterans have been awarded quite a few medal by the French and the Dutch since the war, mainly as a thank you gesture. In all, counting the official medals, I have something like 15. They were given as a thank you for their freedom.

    There is a point of view that says...We should only wear official medals. (some are badges) That to me seems churlish, as the medals awarded were given by a grateful country for the sacrifices that gave them their liberty from Nazi rule.. Me? I have worn them but seldom get them out anyway.

    Recently. A respected Normandy dignitary came to my home to award me a bar to one of the medals.... With photographers and press. If it is that important? then surely we should wear them?
    I await your comments ?
    sapper

    Brian,

    I personally believe that if a Country honours your efforts then you should be entitled to wear it on your left breast, as with your British campaign and othe medals awarded.

    However this is not the official view including the Royal British Legion.

    That is, all foreign awards and commemorative medals not recognised by the government, must be worn on the right hand breast, together with medals belonging to a deceased family member.

    I can well understand the commemorative medals not being allowed to be worn on the left breast, but not medals awarded by grateful governments from abroad.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  7. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The RBL? How the hell have they got a right to give an opinion? What have they done to warrant that sort of power?

    Not in my book....None.... I do not have a very high opinion of what they do for the Services anyway
     
  8. spider

    spider Very Senior Member

    As previously mentioned some foreign awards (including the Greek War Medal) can be worn "officially" as foreign awards on granting by the GG.

    Spider
     
  9. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Spider,

    Thank you for that information.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  10. brickmaker

    brickmaker Senior Member

    I only found out after he had died, that my father would have been entitled to a Dunkirk medal.Enquiries to the mayor of Dunkirk, the RBL and various other potential sources got me nowhere. When I asked the MOD they snottily said that this was nothing to do with them and, in any case my father could not have worn such a medal with his "proper" medals - he would have had to wear it on the right.
    Apparently all I can do now is buy one off ebay, but this would not be "his" and would not have the scroll which apparently came with them.
    By the way, Smudger jnr - I also live in Fulwood!
    brickmaker
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I only found out after he had died, that my father would have been entitled to a Dunkirk medal.Enquiries to the mayor of Dunkirk, the RBL and various other potential sources got me nowhere. When I asked the MOD they snottily said that this was nothing to do with them and, in any case my father could not have worn such a medal with his "proper" medals - he would have had to wear it on the right.
    Apparently all I can do now is buy one off ebay, but this would not be "his" and would not have the scroll which apparently came with them.
    By the way, Smudger jnr - I also live in Fulwood!
    brickmaker

    Have you tried contacting the Dunkirk Veterans Association? I believe they closed down a few years ago (officially) but there was plenty of members at Dunkirk for the 70th anniversary.

    They don't wear the medals on the right they wear them below as unofficial medals. Medals on the right signify they belonged to a relative.

    Sergeant Peter Shaw Royal Corps of Signals and Dunkirk Veteran. You can see the Dunkirk Medal below his campaign medals with the red and orange ribbon. He actually enlisted in the Royal Norfolk Regiment just before the war started and transfered to the Signals because he was bored. Possibly a decision that saved his life.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The RBL? How the hell have they got a right to give an opinion? What have they done to warrant that sort of power?

    Not in my book....None.... I do not have a very high opinion of what they do for the Services anyway

    Brian you obviously do not get the monthly news letter informing you of the work they do supporting families whilst Social Services are dragging their heals. Even I was surprised by the millions of pounds they give away every year.
     
  13. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Wasn't the Dunkirk 'Medal' something done by the town for living survivors, the deadline for which has now passed ? It was never available posthumously to the relatives of those who died in the 1940 campaign.

    There seems to be an increasing tendency for foreign towns and countries to give commemorations to returning veterans but they seem to be more a reward for belonging to an organisation and reaching old age. There has never been any suggestion that most of them were universally issued to all who took part in the campaigns.
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I think you're correct Rich...If I'm honest I've never really looked into it regarding eligibility (The only medals that really interest me are gallanty) of the Dunkirk Medal.

    The last medal awarded by a foreign country that I'm aware of was the Kuwaiti medal from the 1st Gulf War. Apparently made of solid gold (having been to Kuwait and seen the wealth I can well believe it) but not allowed to be worn by serving members of the armed forces I believe.
     
  15. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    RBL? Not round here they dont Drew. I do like the photo For there is a determined face if ever I saw one..
    Sapper
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Whereabouts do you live Brian?
     
  17. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Today as usual on Mondays, I have telephoned an old friend Cyril, who lives in Fulwood, Lancashire who was with the 43rd Wessex in Normandy.

    Some time ago, around last August, Cyril received a letter fro the 43rd Wessex Association stating that he was entitled to a French Medal being issued by the French Government. He was asked to complete an attached form and return to the UK MOD.

    This he did and had not heard a word until last week, when he received a reply from the UK MOD stating that he was entitled to the medal and that details had been passed on the the French MOD.

    Basically the letter apologised for the Long delay caused by the volume of requests, which had not been anticipated.

    It appears that there is a Minimum of 2800 living UK Normandy Veterans that have replied!

    I am really happy for him.

    Regards
    Tom
     

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