Defence Medal missing? Completed

[ptdrifter]

Hi
My Dad was a Gunner in the RA  ATK.  Served in the 1st Army . Went to Africa, then Italy , then Austria.

His service record medal entitlement shows Africa Star with 1st Army Clasp, Italy Star, 39-45 Star and the War Medal.

Whenever I have seen this sort of group before there has always been a Defence Medal, any ideas as to why not in this case.

Fred

[scrimnet]

Not all qualified for the Defence Medal....

The criteria were quite strict, so if he wasn't subject to "air attack" etc in this country, he wouldn't get it!

The Northamptons served in Burma, North Africa, Italy and the Low Countries but a lot, if not most of the old boys with whom I attend Regt reunions, have no Defence Medals.

My dad was one of the few who did have one, but he had previous service in the Home Guard prior to being called up....

[ptdrifter]

Thanks Scrimnet
I think it's a case of me misreading the medal qualifiaction rules. I am sure they are different every time.

Fred

[atom12]

Hi Fred 

Can't help with  info on your Dad Fred,I've got to bow to Scrim's knowledge regarding this.  I just came in to say I think your avatar is grrreat!!!   

[ptdrifter]

Thanks Atom

It's a fave album cover from years gone by

[saxonmick]

Awarded to service personnel for three years' service at home or six months' service overseas in territories subjected to air attack or otherwise closely threatened.  Personnel of Anti-Aircraft Command, RAF ground crews, Dominion forces stationed in the UK, the Home Guard, Civil Defence, National Fire Service and many other civilian units qualified for the medal.


BARS

There was no bar to this medal.


DESCRIPTION

A circular, medal, 1.42 inches in diameter.

OBVERSE

The obverse shows the uncrowned coinage effigy of King George VI, facing left, and the legend: GEORGEIVS VI D: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:


REVERSE
On the reverse, the Royal Crown rests on the stump of an oak tree, flanked by a lion and a lioness. At the top left is the date 1939, and at the top right, the date 1945. In exergue, though not ruled off, is the wording: THE DEFENCE/MEDAL.


MOUNTING
A plain, straight, non-swivelling suspender with a single-toe claw.

RIBBON

The light green ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a central stripe of orange (0.5" wide) and a narrow black stripe in the middle of each green stripe. The orange (flame colour) represents the enemy attacks on the green land of England and the black represents the black-outs.
NAMING

DATES
The award was established on 16 August 1945.

[saxonmick]

My Dad was in the argyll & sutherland highlanders
Served in the 1st Army .  North  Africa, & Italy ,
He got   1939/45 star,   Africa Star 1st Army clasp,   Italy star, Defence medal,
War medal 1939/45.
As your dad was there as well surely he is entitled to it.
regards Mick

[saxonmick]

I think Scrimnet rigth
 my dad fought at the battle of LONGSTOP HILL.
and was wounded

[ourbill]

ptdrifter

If you know which Battalion of AT RA your dad was in, please let me know and I'll try to find some history of what they were doing before landing in North Africa, and after.

My father-in law was also in North Africa with the 1st Army but he spent the first two years in UK with the 9th North Staffordshire Regiment defending the coast from impeding invasion and retraining in the 51st Royal Tank Regiment. As far as I can remember he had the Defence Medal, but I could be wrong, his medals are in the Bovington Tank Museum, too far for me to pop in for a quick reminder!

ourbill