Lancastria , families last chance to claim WWII medals.

[ev]

Just spotted this on the BBC website -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32187297

http://www.lancastria.org.uk/lancastria-medal-application/



ev

[alanmack]

Thank you for highlighting this ev. I too found it on the BBC website this morning.

My Scots born father was a Lancastria survivor but I've never heard of this medal scheme until today. My view is that is something invented by the Scottish Government ca 2008 to beat the UK government with and no real intention of handing out medals to anyone.

They want proof of being on the Lancastria at the time. Impossible. Though I have my father's full Service Record there is no mention whatsoever of his exit from France only his consignment to hospital in Plymouth on the 18/19th June 1940. He was an RASC clerk and no unit name only "Lines of Communication HQ". So no documentation to send them. As a result I've given up any idea of applying.

alanmack

[Drew5233]

Thank you for highlighting this ev. I too found it on the BBC website this morning.

My Scots born father was a Lancastria survivor but I've never heard of this medal scheme until today. My view is that is something invented by the Scottish Government ca 2008 to beat the UK government with and no real intention of handing out medals to anyone.

They want proof of being on the Lancastria at the time. Impossible. Though I have my father's full Service Record there is no mention whatsoever of his exit from France only his consignment to hospital in Plymouth on the 18/19th June 1940. He was an RASC clerk and no unit name only "Lines of Communication HQ". So no documentation to send them. As a result I've given up any idea of applying.

alanmack

I would start by looking at this units war diary first:

WO 167/54 Headquarters Lines Of Communication: General Staff (GS) Sep 1939-June 1940

[Drew5233]

There are also several files on missing men from on board the Lancastria which contain nominal rolls, these would be worth a look to if you haven't already.

[alanmack]

I would start by looking at this units war diary first:
WO 167/54 Headquarters Lines Of Communication: General Staff (GS) Sep 1939-June 1940

Thanks for the comment Andy. Information noted for future reference. There is no chance of me getting to Kew before the closing date in May. How come this has only just surfaced now? Hence my comment in my first post.

alanmack

[IMBER]

"How come this has only just surfaced now?"

Sorry, but what has just surfaced?

Imber

[brianthetaff]

My late uncle was one of the casualties and is buried in Pornic. The medal issue, like the full details of this disaster was not not widely known south of the border. I believe I am unable to claim this medal because I am not a next of kin. The 75th anniversary fast approaches and again, our media will probably not even mention it. There is a roll of honour within Brian Crabb's book, "The Forgotten Tragedy - The sinking of HMT Lancastria".

[brianthetaff]

It seems this tragic disaster is no longer a topic of interest which is sad. It is totally understandable that, at the time, it happened two weeks after the massive success of 'Dunkirk' and it was not reported on for about a month.
Whilst I hear people go into schools to talk about WWII this is never mentioned. 3000+ casualties are forgotten - but as it was one of the biggest disasters it should never be.

[Svenja]

Hi

http://www.lancastria.org.uk/

http://www.lelancastria.com/index.php/fr/

Regards
Svenja