I don't know if this has been asked before: My Dad volunteered in 1943 and was in the RNVR, serving mainly on HMS Bulolo. I have his medals, and am thinking of wearing them at the local remembrance of VE Day tomorrow. I would like to know what the ribbons represent: from L to R: black red blue (watered) blue white green yellow with black stripe, red, yellow with green stripe red white green white red Green with black stripe, orange, green with black stripe red dk blue white red white dk blue red. Hoping someone can help. He told us very little of his experiences, except he thought highly of Malta, and returned home via Germany and France, by land, at the end of the war. ps I should add, I live in France at the moment, and May 8th is a public holiday, each small village has its remembrance service.
i think the ribbons you describe are as follows; Navy blue, red, light blue - 1939-45 Star blue, white, green watered - Atlantic Star yellow/buff with broad red stripe in the middle and thin navy on left and light blue on right - Africa Star green with broad orange stripe and two thin black stripes either side - Defence medal red with blue centre, broad white with thin red stripe through centre - War medal 1939-45. nice set of medals from WW2
Tricia, How many of these look correct to you? They are from left to right as we look. 1939-45 Star Africa Star Italy Star Defence Medal War Medal
Hi Guys I think she asking what the different colours on the RIBBONS mean. Off my head I think for the 39-45 star means- dark blue-navy, red-army, light blue-airforce. (Sequence they became Royal or in existence?) And I know there are meanings for the others, but not sure what, ie Africa Star the yellow represents the sand. If someone can help? regards Robert
Thanks for all the replies, makes me very proud of him. He's not here any more, died in 1992. He was a very modest and reserved man.
The Defence Medal ribbon has the green for a green and pleasant land, the thin black stripes to represent the black-out and the orange for represent the fire bombing of Britain. the France and Germany Star has the equal stripes of blue, white and red to represent the national colours of the UK, France and the Netherlands. the Italy Star is the Italian national colours Bofors is correct with the 1939-35 star in the colours of the 3 armed services. The Atlantic Star ribbon has the colours to represent the ocean. (watered green white and blue) the Africa Star's ribbon has the buff for the sand of the desert, and the thick red stripe, and two thinner navy blue and light blue stripes for the three armed services. all this is from the Medal Yearbook.
