Hi all, I hope someone can help me with a small query please? We recently applied to the MOD for some medals for my late grandfather - these were (and according to those listed on his service record) 1939/45 Star, France and Germany Star and the War Medal 1939/45. We also applied separately for the defence medal as (according to a photo we have) he was in the Home Guard. However, (albeit quicker than expected) only the two stars have been sent. Whist I understand the defence medal is a separate issue, is there a reason why we may not have received the war medal? It is clearly stamped on his service record, 'awarded war medal 1939/45'. Is it possible that he may still have been in service at the time these were issued, and therefore he actually already received it? Is it possible from anyone's personal experience that the other medal(s) will be forwarded on to us at a later date? There is no mention of this in the correspondence from the MOD, other than a certificate with the medals ticked off. FYI, he enlisted in the RASC in November 43, went to France in July 44, returned to the UK in Sept 46, and was released to the Royal Army Reserve in Dec 46. Apologies for the long winded post, just wanted to get my facts straight to be sure if I need to contact and challenge the MOD over his medal entitlement. Many Thanks Eric
This link provides the criteria the MOD use for issue of medals - Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility 1939 - 1945 War Medal The War Medal is awarded to all full time personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving. The medal was granted in addition to campaign stars and the Defence Medal. To apply for the War Medal, you must have served at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. The colours of the ribbon represent the Union Jack I would suggest you phone the medal office, they have always proved welcoming whenever I have phoned/spoken to them You can contact the Medal Office in writing or via email. DBS-Medals@mod.gov.uk MOD Medal Office Room G36 Innsworth House Imjin Barracks Gloucester GL3 1HW Telephone enquiries are handled by the Joint Personnel Administration Centre (JPAC). Freephone (UK only): 0800 085 3600 Telephone (from overseas): +44 141 224 3600 TD
Thank you TD, and ultimately I'm sure we will contact them again to query this. I guess i was hoping that someone could provide some anecdotal evidence that they had received medals as separate issues over separate dates to put my mind at rest and save me hassling them unduly. I wonder if the war medal perhaps takes longer to 'organise', but even so I would have thought they would have waited to issue in one go, unless, as I said, there's a possibility he received it at the time? Thanks again.
Hi, When other members have posted on the forum that they have received “late issue” relatives WW2 medal entitlement they have been invariably issued by MOD as a complete group. I’d hazard a guess there has been a glitch at MOD Medal office so I’d make contact and query the non despatch/receipt of the War Medal. Steve EDIT TO ADD If the War Medal had been issued “in service” his service record ought to have the contemporaneous Medal Office “conformation of issue” stamp endorsed on it.
"It is clearly stamped on his service record, 'awarded war medal 1939/45'" Might be an idea to send an email and attach his records (both Army and Home Guard) as the Medal Office may have only seen one set etc - I dont know just guessing but I dont recall having a scenario as you state (Army & Home Guard) before TD
Hi Richard, That form of words is often seen written on a man’s B103 whilst in service as authority for the issue/wear of the relevant medal ribbon - from as early as early 1944 for Africa & 39/43 Star (as 39/45 Star was then called). Once the medal was issued to the man his papers were stamped by the Medal Office to confirm issue of the actual medal by them. I’ve seen correspondence on Scots Guards service records (contain much more info than MOD service records) on findmypast from men still serving in the early 1950’s who were desirous of having their WW2 Campaign medals issued. The man’s file went from the Regiment to the Medal office for “checking” and returned “stamped” and the medals were issued to the man. Steve
Here is the relevant entry on his service papers. For the avoidance of doubt, can anyone confiorm please that this means that the medal was merely 'awarded', and not 'issued'? Many Thanks
