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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Red Tom on Tuesday 26 August 25 20:03 BST (UK)

Title: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: Red Tom on Tuesday 26 August 25 20:03 BST (UK)
I hope this is the appropriate  forum for this topic. Was the 1918-62 G.S.M. awarded automatically for those in national service? and was it inscribed with the recipient's name etc? My late father-in-law served from 1945 to (presumably) '47, in the med and Palestine, (for which I understand there is a clasp pertaining to that?) I have a project in mind and would be grateful for any info offered.



Title: Re: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 26 August 25 20:49 BST (UK)
Medals awarded after WW2 are named if issued by the crown. Exceptions include, UN, NATO, EU and for some reason SJM. Medals awarded by foreign nations do not have names engraved.

There was no National Service medal awarded to British or Commonwealth servicemen.
Title: Re: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: macwil on Tuesday 26 August 25 21:12 BST (UK)
This site gives the criteria for awarding the GSM:-

medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility)

Scroll down beyond WW2 Medals.
Title: Re: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: Andy J2022 on Tuesday 26 August 25 22:36 BST (UK)
The GSM or clasp should have been awarded automatically once a soldier had completed the stipulated period of service in the particular operational theatre. Awards are triggered by the man's unit issuing the requisite Part Two Order once the aggregated service had been accrued. A clerical cockup could result in an individual missing out if, for instance, he was posted individually rather than as part of a subunit or unit like a company or battalion. This would most affect soldiers in the Corps like REME or RASC. In theory the parent Record Office was supposed to pick up the ball if the unit failed to initiate the process. The actual time between qualifying and physically receiving the medal could be several months. For National Service men, many would have received their medals after they had completed their service commitment.
Title: Re: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: Red Tom on Tuesday 26 August 25 23:44 BST (UK)
Medals awarded after WW2 are named if issued by the crown. Exceptions include, UN, NATO, EU and for some reason SJM. Medals awarded by foreign nations do not have names engraved.

There was no National Service medal awarded to British or Commonwealth servicemen.
Thank you KGarrad.
Title: Re: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: Red Tom on Tuesday 26 August 25 23:45 BST (UK)
This site gives the criteria for awarding the GSM:-

medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility)

Scroll down beyond WW2 Medals.
Thank you for that macwil.
Title: Re: General Service Medal Query.
Post by: Red Tom on Tuesday 26 August 25 23:46 BST (UK)
The GSM or clasp should have been awarded automatically once a soldier had completed the stipulated period of service in the particular operational theatre. Awards are triggered by the man's unit issuing the requisite Part Two Order once the aggregated service had been accrued. A clerical cockup could result in an individual missing out if, for instance, he was posted individually rather than as part of a subunit or unit like a company or battalion. This would most affect soldiers in the Corps like REME or RASC. In theory the parent Record Office was supposed to pick up the ball if the unit failed to initiate the process. The actual time between qualifying and physically receiving the medal could be several months. For National Service men, many would have received their medals after they had completed their service commitment.
Thank you for your help Andy J2022.