Could you help with these medals please?

[willow154]

Hi Kyt,
Thank you for the advice.
I don't have my father's medals; they disappeared when I was young. At some stage (as I doubt I will be lucky enough to find them) I would either like to get copies, or buy some that are lying neglected in some shop. I'm tempted to do the latter, as I feel at least that brings something to the memory of the person whose medals are not with a family and perhaps not wanted. (I know most will not be named, but I gather the Territorial Efficiency one will be).
Dad was awarded five, so there are a few to buy.
Thank you, Kyt.
Paulene

[scrimnet]

Thats why I also suggested a pencil rubber...it does work!

No worries. Having said that about the polish, I personally don't recommend cleaning medals unless they are very spotted. There is something about the ageing that is quite pleasing otherwise.

But if you do decide to clean them then remember to take the ribbons off first, as they will get stained.

K

Willow...

Your fathers medals are probably out there somewhere...I expect someone has them...A decent sized group like that is unlikely to have been broken up.

Try http://www.medaltracker.com/

[willow154]

Thanks, Scrimnet

[scrimnet]

No probs...and of course if you do go down the line of buying replacements beware...here are an awful lot of poor copies out there...I am presuming they are WW2 and beyond?

[willow154]

Yes, WW2 - I did see a set in Truro when I was visiting my sister in the summer, but decide to have a think about it. I can't remember who the Territirial Efficency one was awarded to, unfotrtunately.
Paulene

[scrimnet]

You could always apply for his records as next of kin?

[pwenlock]

Hi BuddysMummy

This is totally off track, but your atvar of your grandfather caught my eye.  Can you confirm that he is wearing a Military Medal, British War Medal & Victory Medal from WW1?

Do you know the history behind the MM?

Regards
Paul

[BuddysMummy]

Hi BuddysMummy

This is totally off track, but your atvar of your grandfather caught my eye.  Can you confirm that he is wearing a Military Medal, British War Medal & Victory Medal from WW1?

Do you know the history behind the MM?

Regards
Paul

I have just found this (and I am very proud of my lovely, heroic Grandfather!)

http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=120051

in which this is recorded:

'For conspicuous devotion to duty and bravery. At POZIERES on the 5th August, 1916, on the return of Private SMITH W.H. for more dressings, Private GRIFFITHS volunteered to accompany him back to No Man's Land, fully knowing the danger, and assisted him to dress and attend to wounded under very heavy shell fire until he himself was seriously wounded.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 184
Date: 14 December 1916


I have seen other records on the National Archives site ( http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=4703343&I=1&SE=1 ) which gave info on the fact he was injured, shipped to UK and eventually returned to Australia. The first letter to his mother stated that he was dangerously ill due to gunshot wounds to his chest, right hand and right knee. All of which contained shrapnel right up to his death in 1991.

He was awarded the 1914/15 star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Sorry, I really know very little about medals and suchlike. It has been fascinating to read these records.l

I am not sure if I am allowed to provide these links, but in view of the fact that he is dead now and that this is how he can be best remembered then I think I should!

[pwenlock]

That must have been a fantastic find. I'm also so jealous at the access you have to the Australian Government Records. It puts the UK service to shame

I feel though I need to point out one possible error in your post.  I think you may be mistaken on the medals he received as the picture only shows him wearing the MM, BWM & Victory but not the 1914/15 Star which would have been worn between the MM & BWM.

My reading of the final page of 36 documents from the government records states "NO" in the middle of the 1914/15 Medal stamp. Also I would find it hard to comprehend that if he were attested on the 29th July 1915 that he would have completed basic training and travelled to a theatre of war in umder 5 months (although I'm more than happy to be corrected on that fact).

Please dont think I'm knocking his achievements, he was obviously a very brave man and certainly deserved formal recognition of his acts of bravery.

Regards
Paul