Prisoner of War Campaign Medal Entitlement

I am interested in the medal entitlement of a great uncle captured in North Africa in 1941- he spent the next 4 years in Italian (up until capitulation) and German prisoner of war camps , as such would he have been entitled to either the Italy star and / or the France Germany Star?

 

PoWs didn't get any medal entitlement whilst they were a PoW regardless of where they were being held. Something that didn't sit well with BEF PoWs.

 

39-45 Star, Africa Star, War Medal (Defence medal if qualification period met) As Andy said it didn't sit too well with some and occasionally they `awarded` themselves what they deemed to be their entitlement. I saw a group on EBay captured in 1940 released 1945 but it had a France and Germany Star amongst it

Kyle

 

Haha Good on 'em

 

I don't have my copy of the regulations close to hand but I thought BEF POWs qualified for the 1939-45 Star, by virtue of campaign service.

 

I see the Bomber command clasp is extended to those who are taken POW, but no other medals or awards are given to POWs? strange.
https://www.gov.uk/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility

 

Hi,

I have a relative taken POW in Norway in May 1940 - his WW2 medal entitlement is 1939/45 Star & Defence Medal & War Medal.

Regards

Steve Y

 

Dunkirk: The Men They Left Behind mentions about Dunkirk PoWs knowing who was captured on Dunkirk anniversaries in France.

 

If it helps my great uncle, captured at St Valery in 1940 spent the rest of the war in various POW camps. He was only entitled to the 39-45 Star and the War Medal. Seems harsh for five years of deprivation followed by a death march away from the Russians. There's nothing like medals for sparking debate ...

 

What was harsh was you had to apply for them after the war. The government didn't issue them automatically like in WW1

 

I'd suggest what's more harsh is those that were killed with the BEF and still remain in France not being eligible for the France and Germany Star.

Alistair

 

Agree Alistair, was just commenting on Twitter the other day about the lack of a campaign star for the BEF.

 

Thanks all , for the info