Hi all -- I cannot find an answer to this question. I have seen this particular Gordon's corporal in the post war era (I believe this is late 1950s) wearing what appears to be only a France & Germany (possibly Italy) Star, War Medal, but NO 39-45 star. Is there a logical reason for this or is this an instance of his own choice or negligence? I understand the circumstances where you might see the 39-45 star without another campaign star, but this seems unusual. Thanks, Robert
Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility The France and Germany Star is awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands or Germany between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945. To apply for the France and Germany 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 in operational areas of the North Sea in the Royal Navy (provided service was directly in support of land operations) The colours of the ribbon represent the national colours of the United Kingdom, France and The Netherlands. The 1939 to 1945 Star is awarded to personnel who completed operational service overseas between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (2 Sept 1945 in Far East). To apply for the 1939 to 1945 Star, you must have: 180 days operational service in the army in the above qualifying areas 180 days operational service as ground crew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas 60 days operational service as aircrew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas 180 days service afloat in operational areas in the Royal Navy in the above qualifying areas The colours of the ribbon represent the 3 services. The star is worn with the dark blue stripe furthest from the left shoulder. My guess would be that he was in the qualifying area for more than 1 day but not more than 180. It might be worth investigating his age, when he served etc as he may have been 'late' coming to the war if he was for instance born say late 1920's and enlisted possible late 1944 or early 1945 - just guessing here really TD
I’d echo TD’s comments and his conclusion. I’ve seen service records of men who were called up in 1944 and joined BLA in spring 1945 with a medal entitlement of F&G Star & War Medal only as in your photograph. Steve
Thank you both. I had not considered the difference in service period, assuming that everyone I'd seen up to this point had the 39-45 Star by 'default' if also entitled one of the other campaign stars. Robert
I would just add that someone with only F&G Star and War Medal could have joined up as early as mid 1942. Not much earlier as they would then have qualified for the Defence Medal (3 years in UK). Tim
A similar state of affairs applied to the Italy Star; Lt. Col. Colin "Mad Mitch" Mitchell of the Argylls in Aden had an Italy Star without a 39-45 Star.
