Interpretation of records received

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by WhiteLion74, Jan 25, 2012.

  1. WhiteLion74

    WhiteLion74 Junior Member

    I have just received a copy of my Grandfather's service records, which includes a copy of his Medal Entitlement Card. Can anyone please assit with interpreting this? What does the "R" mean in the various boxes?

    Grateful for any assistance.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    Replacement
     
  3. WhiteLion74

    WhiteLion74 Junior Member

    As in duplicate / re-issue? So are the ticks new issue and the "R"s replacement issue? What about the one with a tick and an "R"?
     
  4. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Hi WhiteLion and welcome.
    I think Alieneyes is probably correct - replacement - but I would have thought each one with a R should also have a tick, why esle a replacement? Seems a bit strange. Hopefully someone better clued up than me can comment.
    Can I take it the 'Jamaica' means HMS Jamaica? If you have a copy of the service record it would be interesting to see a scan.

    Mike
     
  5. WhiteLion74

    WhiteLion74 Junior Member

    Thanks for that, Mike.

    Yes, he served on HMS Jamaica. An extract from the service record is attached.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. WhiteLion74

    WhiteLion74 Junior Member

    Just a thought, but could the lack of ticks for some of these be related to the fact that certain of the campaign stars are mutually exclusive (i.e. you receive a clasp for the second entitlement, rather than a star)?
     
  7. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    WL, way ahead of me on the medal entitlement mate, no idea on that. Medal cards are a dark science to me. Other more expert RN types will probably be able to advise.
    Might be worth asking a Moderator (such as Owen) to add 'RN' into your thread title to attract more expert help, or you might be able to do it yourself as thread creator.
    From the service record it appears that Jamaica was probably the only 'real' ship posting, all the others appear to be shore or training bases.
    I have my Grandfather's RN service record (original parchment version) and it always amazes me to see conduct as VG (very good) and efficiency as superior or satisfactory or better on every one I have seen. Seems the navy never wanted to say 'this bloke is a total loser' or words to that effect, but I would like to see one that does! No disrespect to your GF.
     
  8. WhiteLion74

    WhiteLion74 Junior Member

    OK ... I received my Grandfather's post-war RAF service records yesterday, and the medal entilement section says he received a number of "Rosettes". That's probably what the "R"s stand for on the Navy service records. I'm guessing "Rosette" is what I think of as a "clasp", so his entitlement would be:

    1939-45 Star
    Atlantic Star with France & Germany clasp (rosette)
    Africa Star with (presumably) "North Africa 1942-43" clasp (rosette)
    Burma Star with Pacific clasp (rosette)
    War Medal

    I'm planning to write to the MOD Medals Office to confirm this, but can anyone confirm in the meanitime whether this sounds about right?
     

    Attached Files:

  9. WhiteLion74

    WhiteLion74 Junior Member

    I've just received the response from MOD Medals Office. My reading was correct - his entitlement was:

    1939-45 Star
    Atlantic Star with France & Germany clasp
    Africa Star with North Africa 1942-43 clasp
    Burma Star with Pacific clasp
    War Medal 1939-45

    So the "R" on the records was for "rosette", actually meaning "clasp".
     
  10. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    On my fathers Africa star it is annotated clasp/rosette (issued) He had joined the Specials and had to apply for medals he had not claimed. (RAF) so his -the 42/43 clasp worn with the medal and ribbon. The rosette is worn on the medal ribbons sewn onto the tunic.



    218px-Africa_Star_N-AFRICA_42-43_BAR.svg.png



    africa_1.jpg
     

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