Hi all, As ever I am hoping you can clarify something for me. I have to admit to being confused!!! In the mid 1990's both my parents applied for their war medals. Mum was granted a service medal and a veterans medal. Dad's medals puzzle me. He received a letter stating he was entitled to only the veterans medal - I am not convinced this is correct! Dad was born 15/4/1925. On 15 /4/1943 (his 18th birthday) he received his call up papers. Prior to this he had volunteered for Air training corps (dates unknown). After call up - he served Call up he served Cardington, Skegness, Bicester, Melksham, Defford and Morecambe. By 6 May 1945 Dad was on board Highland Chieftain on a 4 week voyage to India. He spent 2 years in India as RAF ground crew working mostly on Lancaster bombers. He returned to UK on board Queen of Bermuda that departed Bombay 30/3/1947 and finally docked in Liverpool 15/4/1947 (his 22nd birthday). As I understand it, if a person had 28 days of service up to 2 September 1945 - he would have been eligible for the the War Medal. Am I correct? Thank you for any information you may be able to give me!
Hi It would help if you would use the correct names for the medals, see here and scroll down a bit to see WW2 medals- Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility So without presuming anything, can you clarify what medals you are talking about from that list so the right information can be given? regards Robert
Go straight to the horses mouth Contact the MOD Medal Office 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 I have always found them very helpful TD
I'd agree with Bofors. What do you mean by Veterans Medal? On a rough count of time served he would seem to qualify for the War Medal but not the Defence Medal
Hi Robert, In the letter that was sent to my father it was referred to as a Veterans medal! Looking at the list and my parents medals, Mum had 1939-1945 War Medal and the armed forces veterans badge. Dad was only awarded the armed forces veterans badge. Reading the requirements listed with the medals on the link, I would have thought Dad probably qualified for the 1939-1945 War Medal (The War Medal is awarded to all full time personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving. To apply for the War Medal, you must have served at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945). Also, as Dad was RAF ground crew in India from late May 1945, was he eligible for the Burma Star? The link you gave me states " The Burma Star is awarded for operational service in Burma between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Those serving in Bengal and Assam in India and China, Hong Kong, Malaya or Sumatra between other specified dates may also qualify. To apply for the Burma Star, you must have: 1 day of operational service in the army in the above qualifying areas 1 day of operational service as ground crew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas 1 operational sortie as aircrew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas" Am I misinterpreting this?
Probably. Areas of India that qualified for the Burma Star were very limited. From WiKi: Army and Navy personnel and Air Force ground crew serving ashore qualified through entry into operational service in Burma between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. The medal was also awarded for service during certain specified periods in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaya and Sumatra, all dates inclusive: Bengal and Assam in India from 1 May 1942 to 31 December 1943. Bengal and Assam, east of the Brahmaputra and Dihang Rivers, from 1 January 1941 to 2 September 1945.[2] China from 16 February 1942 to 2 September 1945.[2][16] Hong Kong from 26 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.[2][16] Malaya from 16 February 1942 to 2 September 1945.[2][16] Sumatra from 24 March 1942 to 2 September 1945.[2][16] Service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra after 8 December 1941, but prior to the start dates listed above, was recognised by the award of the Pacific Star.[2][16] Tim
Thanks Tim, From my memory of where Dad served he was the wrong side of the river - I think Calcutta was about the closest he got!
If you bother to read the links then https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility#world-war-2-medals The Burma Star is awarded for operational service in Burma between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Those serving in Bengal and Assam in India and China, Hong Kong, Malaya or Sumatra between other specified dates may also qualify. To apply for the Burma Star, you must have: 1 day of operational service in the army in the above qualifying areas 1 day of operational service as ground crew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas 1 operational sortie as aircrew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas 1 day afloat on operational service in the above qualifying areas in the Royal Navy and already qualified for the 1939 to 1945 Star The colours of the ribbon represent the sun, British and Commonwealth forces. If he was only ever in Calcutta then geographically he couldnt be awarded the Burma Star TD
TD, My comment was that the CLOSEST Dad got to the river dividing line was Calcutta. He did serve in several places in India. At the time of my original post I had not looked up exactly where in India he had served.
Hi Thanks for confirming the medal, I have never heard of the armed forces veterans badge so it is good to know about that. (And it is a badge not a medal!) I think it is bad the government will only acknowledge your Father's efforts with that and not a medal, but I suppose the guidelines are there for a reason. regards Robert
Hi Robert, Glad to have helped. I think I might try the Medals Office again. I cannot figure out how, if he was called up on 15/4/1943 he is not eligible for the 1939-1945 War Medal. From that date to the end of the war is rather more than the 28 day period of service they specify!
Hi Daisy 1942 It is worth asking the question of the Medal Office - at worst they could explain their rationale for the decision. Good luck!
