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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: LivingDeadGirl on Sunday 13 June 10 12:59 BST (UK)
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I've just been sent a pic of my grandfathers medals. My Aunt says he was in the Air Force in WW2. She has told me that one is the George Medal, one is the Burma Star and another is for Active Service.
I was just wondering if someone could tell me which is which and possibly what the last medal was for.
Hopefully the pic helps.
Also, just out of interest does anyone know if medals can be copied? I would love to have copies of his medals as I know my Aunt won't be passing them down to me.
Many thanks in advance.
(http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu312/williams-familytree/GrandadsMedals.jpg)
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Hi there,
The four medals you have are [from left to right], with details of who qualified are:
The 1939/45 War Medal
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/WarMedal.htm
The 1939/45 Defence Medal
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/DefenceMedal.htm
The 1939/45 Star
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/19391945Star.htm
[Looks like the ribbon is the wrong way round]
The Burma Star
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/BurmaStar.htm
I'm afraid none of the medals appear to be the George Medal:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/GeorgeMedal.htm
although the head of George VI will be on the medals of your grandfather and that's maybe caused the confusion.
I'm not sure if you can get medals copied, but there are some companies selling reproductions. If you post on the Armed Forces board, you might get a few suggestions.
Best wishes
Rockford
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Many, many thanks!!
I will check out the Armed Forces board and see what suggestions I can get from there.
Thanks again,
Emma
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Hi Emma,
My dad earned exactly the same medals. Here are my notes about each one:
1939-45 Star
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Granted for service in operations from 3 September 1939 to 15 August 1945, the date on which active operations against Japan ceased in the Pacific.
Burma Star
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Awarded for active service in Burma from 11 December 1941; service in Bengal or Assam from 1 May 1942 to 31 December 1943; from the parts of Assam or Begal east of Brahmaputra, from 1 January 1944.
Defence Medal
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Awarded for 3 years' service in the United Kingdom between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, or 6 months overseas in a non-operational area subject to aerial attack.
The ribbon has a broad central flame-coloured stripe with green edges each bearing a narrow black stripe. These colours symbolize the enemy air-attacks on 'our green and pleasant land', air attacks being the key to this award. Service to qualify counted from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945 in Great Britain; and to forces overseas to the end of hostilities in the Pacific, 15 August 1945.
War Medal 1939-45
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Awarded to personnel of the Armed Forces of the British Commonwealth and civilians such as war correspondents and civil air transport, but excluding the Home Guard. The qualification was 28 days service operational or non-operational between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
Paul
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Hi Emma
As WW2 medals were issued un-named you can buy real ones on Ebay or at any medal fair - http://www.speedbid.com/fairs.cfm
If you intend to mount them you need to copy Paul's picture. The head of the monarch is always shown, and you have the ribbon to the 1939-45 Star on back to front. The dark blue of the senior service goes nearest to the heart.
Ken