Hi, According to the records, my great-uncle, George Mayor RCAF J91171, received 4 medals. I've found the information about the first three listed below (at this site: Second World War Medals - The Mounting and Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars, and Medals - Canadian Orders, Medals and Decorations - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada), but I haven't been able to figure out the GSM. Any information I find about it, it is usually post WW2 (for example the GSM Allied Force on the Canadian Government website was created in 2004) or attached to a specific theatre of war. 1. 39-45 Star 2. Aircrew Euro Star 3. CVSM (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal) 4. General Service Medal? I've attached an image of the Service Award Card showing awards given by the check marks. I am essentially looking for a photo of the Canadian GSM medal that would have been awarded in WW2. Any insight would be much appreciated. Also, the CVSM eligibility is "The CVSM is granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and honourably completed eighteen months total voluntary service from 3 September 1939 to 1 March 1947." My great uncle enlistment date is Dec 18, 1942, he was posted to active-duty at an air base in England on Dec 18, 1943 and was killed April 24, 1943. None of that adds up to 18 months. Do you think he would have been awarded this upon his death? Thank you! Kristine
Hi, Having had a look at the “Medal Card” I think the Canadian GSM is the same/equivalent as the British 1939/45 War Medal. Steve EDIT TO ADD The photo in this BC news report shows a WW2 medal entitlement - the GSM/War Medal is on the extreme right - after the CVSM. Kelowna RCMP Want to Return Military Medals to Rightful Owner
Agree that CGSM is most likely the 1939-45 War Medal. See: Second World War Medals - The Mounting and Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars, and Medals - Canadian Orders, Medals and Decorations - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada As to the CVSM it may be the 18 months service requirement was waived for those who were killed in action. I'm sure a Canadian Forum member will know the exact answer. Tim
Hi Steve - thanks so much for responding. I looked up the British 1939/45 War Medal and on the Canadian Government site, we have the same, but the eligibility seems to be for Armed Forces and Navy only.
Tim - you and I came across the same medal on the Cdn Govnt site, however, it's eligibility is listed for Armed Forces and Navy... Unless the Armed Forces includes Air - the other medals seem to spell our air, sea, land. I think you are probably correct that CVSM would have automatically given to those killed in action. He was posthumously promoted to Pilot Officer after his death.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2048144/george-william-mayor/ I agree with Steve and Tim, the GSM refers to the War Medal 1939-45. N.B. ‘armed forces’ refers to the army, navy and air force. Stipulated qualifying periods are commonly waived where service was curtailed by death or wounds sustained in that service, and I assume that this applied to the CVSM too. You may find confirmation in the Order in Council.