Can anyone of you knowledgeable people help me with a query regarding the eligability for the 1939-45 Star. An individual that I am researching Enlisted with the Royal Artillery in 1941, and served through until December 1943 at which time his service record is marked 'Permanently unfit for any form of Military Service' under Para 390 XVIB K.Rs 1940. The service record state a medical state of A1 on enlistment, C by June 43, and E by Dec 43 and is noted that Disability of discharge to be 30% (15% attributable) Having served 2 years and 357 days, all within the UK, he was only awarded the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939/45. However the eligability for the 1939-45 star is as folloows The 1939-45 Star was immediately awarded if the service period was terminated by death, disability or wounding Can anyone tell me what is classified as disability Phil
Hi Phil From here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939%E2%80%9345_Star operational service - if he never went overseas, then not on operational service? So I wonder if the word service in your statement applies to the word operational? regards Robert
The 1939-45 Star was immediately awarded if the service period was terminated by death, disability or wounding I assume that this applies if the service period in the operational area was terminated by death, disability or wounding. Your bloke never left the UK.
From Dianes old thread although like most things there are exceptions to the rule, the main rule was as follows. The 1939-45 Star is awarded for operational service overseas between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (2 September 1945 in the Far East) for:◾A period of six months (180 days) operational service for Navy and Army personnel and Air Force non-air crew personnel. Regards Tom
Thanks everyone, I have written to the MOD to clarify the point. Based on the 'wording' it seems you had to serve overseas to be eligible for the 39-45 star, but I know of individuals that were killed or died in service in the Uk having not been overseas and where awarded the star, so should disability be any different? I am just wondering if the rules changed when the star changed from the 39-43 star to the 39-45 star and that based on a discharge date of Jan 44 at that time he wasn't eligible? Will see what the MOD say Phil
Don't know if the above helps, the extract comes from 'British Campaign Medals 1914-2005' - Peter Duckers.
