Hi. I'd like to ask our veteran friends about getting their medals back in the late 40s / 50s. 1. Were your medals just automatically sent to you? 2. Did you have to apply for them quoting your name, rank & unit etc? 3. Did you have to apply for them quoting your name, rank, unit and the locations were you served? 4. Was the procedure something else entirely? Thanks Robert
If I remember correctly, it was a long time ago, we had to fill in a form claiming our gongs. I'm sure they were not sent automatically.
Robert Hi. I'd like to ask our veteran friends about getting their medals back in the late 40s / 50s. 1. Were your medals just automatically sent to you? 2. Did you have to apply for them quoting your name, rank & unit etc? 3. Did you have to apply for them quoting your name, rank, unit and the locations were you served? 4. Was the procedure something else entirely? Thanks Robert Definitely not sent automatically As far as I can remember (and it is at least 63 years ago) I had to apply for the medals and would probably had to quote at least my Army Number which would have given them instant access to my records which in turn would have shown the areas of command in which I served. One of my record sheets shows the entitlement to the Italy & the 39-45 Star. Ron.
RJL- as it was a long time ago - I am sure that mine arrived in the mail one day without me doing anything about it - next letter from the Army was an invitation to join the Inns of Court Regiment for a short tour of Korea ! Thankfully I failed the medical owing to wounds received at WW2 - so I therefore asked about a pension which prompted gales of laughter - and I left feeling a bit humbled ! So I chucked their medals - but had to buy miniatures for social functions ! The Colonel of the Inns of Court was a bit miffed at my failure and hinted that I should be more fit for a young man - I ignored that smear ! ...but when the Zuez thingi came up took off for Canada- saying to Hell with them ! Cheers
Robert I hope you don't mind me posting here (in that this thread is addressed to veterans) You might find this thread of Paul's interesting. Just remembered I asked the same questions a couple of years back http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/other-research/16802-ww2-medal-index-card.html
Same as the others. Its along time ago. But I am pretty sure I sent for them. I still have the paper that came with the list I was entitled to. What was funny, was at the same time, while severely wounded, all of us lads recovering were sent a letter informing us that we were still liable to be called to serve again. Armless, legless, all of us But then the greatest disappointment of my life. Shortly before I was wounded, the second time, And while were using the shelled wooden huts of the Germans SS Training centre, for the Dutch youth, as an operating base. My officer; Lt Chas Boyse MC RE. 2 Platoon. took me to one side and informed me that I had been awarded the C in Cs commendation. Commonly called "Monty's Certificate" Almost immediately, I was wounded, and flown back home with several serious injuries. Each day while at Croydon hospital ..This nineteen year old, encased in plaster from his chin to his toes, waited with bated breath for the postman to bring me my "Monty's Certificate" It was an honour... After all these years I am still waiting. I wrote to Prince Philip, and to the M O D. who informed me that there was no such thing...So I sent them a picture of one. Now let me say this.....I was a patriotic young soldier bent on doing my best for my land. Now? I am looked after very well. But I earned that award the hard way. That I never got it was a disgrace. I will never give up hope, that one day it will turn up and I will frame it and hang it on my wall.. Until then. I just hope that the wrong will be put right. Even after 67 years. Can any of you imagine the heartbreak of a 19 year old? being given an award then not to get it? After all these years..... I still feel cheated. Sapper
Andy & Brian Brian...What did you do to get the award? Have a look at this thread from 2007 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/nw-europe/12651-sappers-cert.html Ron
Andy You are right, of course, we must wait for Brian to give us chapter and verse, but I I still think that it is worth a shot to try and get Brian the recognition he deserves. Ron
I believe the French also gave medals to British Servicemen who had served in the Battle of France 1939-40. Apparently there were some newspaper articles at some point advising British soldiers how to apply. Do you know what medals these were? I believe some old vets display them on Remembrance day etc together with the genuine British articles but, if I am not mistaken, I believe there are restrictions on a British Citizen wearing foreign medals.
DAFT? Sure is...But I always live in hope that it will arrive one day, before its too bloody late. sapper
They were given for service beyond what is expected. (or something like) NOT for bravery. It was an awarded for good service. I went on all the dodgy and dangerous stunts. When asked for volunteers to fill in as a dispatch rider, as well as My own duties.. It cost me dearly....
They were given for service beyond what is expected. (or something like) NOT for bravery. It was an awarded for good service. I went on all the dodgy and dangerous stunts. When asked for volunteers to fill in as a dispatch rider, as well as My own duties.. It cost me dearly.... Now I know why I was told as a recruit never to volunteer for anything.
I'm not a Veteran ............ but, having read this thread I sympathise whole heartedly with all Veterans' who never received recognition for their loyal serivce. Whether it be for good service, bravery, or beyond what was expected and the like, it is a travisity that those that gave so much for the likes of me today, have not, still today, received recognition of the service they gave for their Country. As a point of interest about Awards ... I too went through the disappointing process of applying for my father's WW2 medals. The fact that the Medal Office today has no record of certain awards will not deter me from beleiving that Dad gave his all at the time, only that sadly during the "fog of War" many awards were either merely lost or never materialised. I'm sorry it cost you dearly Sapper, but in the same breath I thank you and others for the sacrifices made for the next generation ... wish I could wave a wand and find Monty's Certificate for you. Lindsay Aspin
I believe the French also gave medals to British Servicemen who had served in the Battle of France 1939-40. Apparently there were some newspaper articles at some point advising British soldiers how to apply. Do you know what medals these were? I believe some old vets display them on Remembrance day etc together with the genuine British articles but, if I am not mistaken, I believe there are restrictions on a British Citizen wearing foreign medals. I think you may be thinking of the Dunkirk Veterans Medal. The people of Dunkirk commissioned a medal to be given to all veterans on the 1940 campaign. I think you had to apply back in the 70's. I believe the town stopped giving them to vets quite a while ago. A email to the Dunkirk tourist info centre should confirm this. You can buy them on Ebay though. If you want an example of where they are worn with other medals let me know. USA, France, Belgium and Holland did issue military medals after the war to specific personnel for acts of bravery. I'm not sure on the criteria but examples are like these: USA's Bronze Star Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm Croix de Guerre with Vermilion Star Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star Croix de Guerre avec Palme As you can see there are lots of different types from different countries.
