Royal Artillery 1st Army medals

[Pels66]

My Father-in-Law was George Moore Cooper, he joined the RA as a Gunner on the 13/03/41 'Army No: 1777809'.

He last served with '31/11 LAA' ??
He was awarded the following medals.....

Italy Star
Africa Star with 1st Army Clasp
France/Germany Star
39-45 Star
39-45 War Medal

Could anyone tell me what  '31/11 LAA'  is and how could I trace his War movements.

Also, I would like to know what these initials mean, they are found on his War Record under Honours & Awards.....
This is exactly how it's written on his Record Book...

Awarded Africa Star + 1st Army Clasp  AuthyGRO 632/43     (dated 15/5/43)

Awarded 1939-45 Star
Awarded Italy Star
Authy GRO Y93/45            (All dated 28/6/45)

I would like to know what these mean....
Authy GRO 632/43     &     Authy GRO Y93/45
I just want to make sure he has the correct medals.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

[kyt]

The 31/11 LAA stands for the 31st Battery, 11th (City of London Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft . As a unit of the 1st Army, it would been involved Operation Torch and the subsequent operations in North Africa.

K

[Pels66]

K

Thank you for your information, I'm gradually tracing his unit's progress through the war.

Do you have any idea about the medals question??

Cheers
Pels 

[postwarden]

Hello,

I've just arrived as a member and I've seen your medal question.

Awarded Africa Star + 1st Army Clasp  AuthyGRO 632/43     (dated 15/5/43) - Means that the authority (Authy) for the issue of the Africa Star and bar to your Father-in-Law was published in General Routine Order 632 of 1943 on the date given

Awarded 1939-45 Star
Awarded Italy Star
Authy GRO Y93/45            (All dated 28/6/45)

Means the same thing for the issue of the 1939/45 Star and the Italy Star.

General Routine Orders were issued in all theatres of war and were the official approval for soilders to wear a medal. You will not find any copies of these in the archives as they have not generally survived. However an entry in a soldier's paybook was his official authority to wear campaign stars like these so if you have the medals listed he is entitled to them.

The War Medal was issued to anyone who served for more than 30 days in the army so if he has the campaign stars he is entitled to a War medal. The France & Germany Star is more problematic. 11 LAA Regt did not serve in either France or Germany and it was unusual for someone who ended up serving in Italy - as he must have done if 11 LAA was his final regiment- to have previouly served in France. But the fact that he does not have this entry in his paybook is not proof that he did not qualify for it! The final authority would be his service record. Have you obtained a copy of that?

Hope that helps
Jon - Postwarden




I would like to know what these mean....
Authy GRO 632/43     &     Authy GRO Y93/45