Hi All! Firstly, I would like to say thank you for such a wonderful forum with such knowledgeable contributers! A few weeks ago my husband and I were helping move a friend who knows I'm huge into history. He handed me a framed document with medals and a picture of a soldier and asked if I could find out more about them. He said it had a special place, when he was growing up, on the living room wall of his parents house but he never really knew the story of the man. He thought he was an uncle of his fathers and that was about all he could tell me. I got started right away. I can never turn down a good mystery! After a little investigating I found that one of the medals was the Dunkirk medal and that the document belonged with it. Now the real work is beginning and I would love some help! From the certificate I know that the soldiers name was Timothy Jones and that he served with the King's Own Royal Regiment. It is my understanding that the soldier or whoever applied for the medal and certificate had to prove Timothy was at Dunkirk. Since the association that issued these is no longer, where would those applications be?? I'm guessing the number located on the bottom right of the certificate could be a reference number to that application? Would it be possible to get a copy? I would sure love to read it! As for the medals, they are as follows: The War Medal The Defence Medal The 1939-1945 Star The Africa Star The Atlantic Star I am a little confused as to why he didn't receive a France/Germany star. Having been at Dunkirk he was definitely in France. I read if he was awarded the Altantic star he wouldn't have received the France/Germany star. Is that correct? If so, why? After visiting the King's Own museum website, I believe he may have been in the 8th regiment but that's only a guess. Any direction and/or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Tanya
Tanya You have yourself a very odd one......as the Kings were - in the main - Infantry - AA- and RTR so take your pick......... he has the Africa Star which indicates I think 3rd Battalion who - as 40th RTR fought in the desert with 23rd Armoured bde of 7th Armoured ( desert rats) 2nd battalion were in Gibralter for years and joined up with 4th Div to make up the numbers to land in Italy from Egypt......but NO Africa Star - Nor Italy Star- very odd ...4th fought in italy and Greece in'44 Think I am right to say that ONLY the Navy were awarded the Atlantic Star BUT perhaps the AA men on board were from the Kings... There was NO star or medal issued for the BEF in France in 1939/40who came out at Dunkirk - a private medal was issued for that campaign - ONLY This just highlights some of the problems...and so Good Luck with the rest Cheers The real France & Germany Star was issued to those who landed after D Day and beyond to the finish
The 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th King's served in France during 1940 so you still have some narrowing down to do. If you have a spare £30 the answer will be with the MoD in his service records. Cheers Andy