Hi every one, I have a query on medal entitlement it concerns a late relative of mine. He join the royal navy in 1927 and was killed in july 1940 in portland harbour onboard HMS Foylebank having joined the ship in belfast in may 1940 where she was being converted from a merchant ship to a anti aircraft ship. Query is what medals would he have been entitled to and would the atlantic medal be 1 of them.
Jeff, Hello and welcome to the forum. The answer to your question is not easily solved until you know which other ship or ships he served on from the beginning of the war. If you do not posssess a service record, then contact the NoK and ask them to sign the form required for you to obtain them. Regards Tom
Hi Jeff. This is not definitive just my take on it. I think his entitlement would be the 1939-1945 Star (6 months Operational Service) & The 1939-1945 War Medal (circ 28 days). In the RN ........ 1. You needed to have completed the 180 days/6 months operational service for the 39-45 Star before you started to qualify for any other Star. 2. You needed another 180 days/6 months operational service (in the right areas) to qualify for the Atlantic Star. But ...... 3. Being killed or wounded and thus being unable to fulfill those 180 days would also qualify you for, in this case, the Atlantic Star. However ...... 4. The work of certain coastal vessels was recognised by the 39-45 Star and not the Atlantic Star. 5. As the Foylebank was used to boost the coastal AA defences I think you'd have to find out if she fell into that certain coastal vessels bracket. 6. Find out for certain by applying for his Service Records at the MOD. This is a bit long winded but hope it helps.(and makes some sense)
Hi Tom, he was at hms victory (shore base) from jan 39 to may 40 during which he was on course to transfer to the regulating branch (crusher). Previously hms repulse.I have a copy of his service papers regards jeff.
Jeff, In view of what you have now said I have to agree with RJL. The service record has an awards section, which sometimes show what medals were issued. I do not think that this was always completed as a good friend of mine has a chestful of medals and they are not listed on his RN service Sheets. Regards Tom
..... he was at hms victory (shore base) from jan 39 to may 40 Hi jeff. Just to add more confusion to the mix. I believe his time at Victory September 39 - May 40 would have counted as non-operational service and therefore went towards the Defence Medal and not the 39-45 Star. With this thought in mind: 1. Definitley The War Medal. 2. Possibly The Defence Medal (because he was killed and could not fulfill the time critera). 3. Possibly The 39-45 Star (If being killed etc before fulfilling the 180 days time critera qualified you?)
