Hi gang Does there exist anywhere a definitive list of all the personnel that served on the convoys to Russia? I recently saw of a doctor from Norwich whose father, an RN Signalman like my own father, did not qualify for an Arctic Star medal as there is no record of his having ever served on the convoys. I am in the same situation I can recall dad mentioning that the Russians would not let them ashore after the journey from hell, but obviously he would have not been told of the dire situation in Russia at the time. I am completely convinced that dad served 'up there' but need to know more. Thanks
Surely if you have his navy records and know what ships he was on and where they went. Then you would know if he qualified for the Star, as from what I understand you do not have to been on a convoy to qualify for this medal. The medal was awarded for any length of operational service north of the Arctic Circle by members of the British Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy. The qualifying area is defined as 66° 32’ North Latitude and the qualifying period recognises the particular severity of the conditions experienced by those who served in the Arctic. Arctic Star - Wikipedia
Not that simple I am afraid. He needs proof that his father served in the Arctic so that the medal office can award the medal. A particular problem with RN medal entitlement is the way ships were recorded on service records. For example it is common to see 'stone frigates' (shore establishments) listed in the place of actual ships on the seaman's service record. These are usually establishments that handled the seaman's account. If the actual sea going ship involved is not listed in the pay and victualling records then it will be difficult to establish what ship(s) he was on for medal award purposes. Regards Hugh
This actually throws up another question. Looking at my Dad's medal awards I see he has the 39-45 Star, the War Medal and the Africa Star. But he definitely served aboard Indomitable in the Pacific, so if I am reading it right he should qualify either for the Defence Medal or the Pacific Star, depending on when and where he was on board, but there appears to be no mention of it. But while on that subject, I have another question of a legal nature. When my Dad died in 1979 my stepmother had to be moved from the house as it was a joint business/residential property and the business was being wound up. A few years later, after we had all lost touch and gone our separate ways, my stepmother herself died and as a result we have no idea where my dad's medals have gone. If they have been sold, could they be treated as stolen property? I'm not sure who actually claims ownership of them
My own grandfather was issued 3945 star Burma star France and Germany star and war medal After sending in his record of service I successfully applied and was awarded his defence medal I am now in the process of trying to get his Atlantic clasp awarded, as his medal card has written on it Atlantic ? One of his ships does qualify but it's trying to convince the powers that be It's only taken 3 years so far, but won't give up as I was recently issued with my great grandfathers victory medal and my 2xgt uncles ww1 pair and that only took 5 years If you send me a copy of his record I can take a look for you and see if I can help
My advise is write to the medal office they will confirm what medals and when issued I would then buy genuine ww2 medals to replace them, not only are they cheaper then the copies but they may even be his. Unfortunately when your father died they became his wife's to do with as she pleaded this included throwing away, selling or destroying
This is only true if he died without leaving a will and his spouse was your mother. Married With Children. If you are married with children, your entire estate will go to your surviving spouse (if all children are the children of your surviving spouse). Otherwise, your surviving spouse will receive up to one-half of the estate, with the remaining portion passing to your surviving children from another spouse or partner. What Happens If You Die Without a Will? - FindLaw As it was a joint business/residential property and be of some value, it would have surely gone through the probate service, and in theory all items of value should be listed. (but seldom are).
