Author Topic: Could you help with these medals please?  (Read 5493 times)

Offline BuddysMummy

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Could you help with these medals please?
« on: Monday 17 November 08 20:44 GMT (UK) »
These are my father's medals.

He served in the 14th army in Burma during WW2.

I can identify the two Burma Star medals, but not sure why he had two and why they are on different ribbons. Also, one seems slightly paler than the other. is this just an "accident" or are they actually made of different metal. (Sorry I have not cleaned them. Not really sure if I should)

Also, I see that on the ribbon bar he has ribbons from both of the Burma Star medals, and from the other medal, but there is another ribbon on there. What would that have been?

I know about the RAMC badge. Where would that have been worn though?


And a ribbon on its own with no medal. Would that have had a medal with it at one time?

The fabric square thing; what is that? And is there any reason why it would have four hooks (as in hook and eye fasteners) on the back?

Sorry I have so many questions all in one post, and sorry that I am so woefully ignorant to start with.
Rands - Hackney. Bedfordshire.
Griffiths - Birkenhead. Queensland, Australia
Ollive/Olive - Cheshire. Birkenhead
Holt - ?Cheshire/Liverpool
Lacey - Mile End, London. Queensland, Australia
Felix (surname ), Wales, England.
Sewell - Middx. Queensland, Australia
Sapsord/ Sapsford - Middx

Offline BuddysMummy

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #1 on: Monday 17 November 08 20:53 GMT (UK) »
Here's the back of the silver one

Rands - Hackney. Bedfordshire.
Griffiths - Birkenhead. Queensland, Australia
Ollive/Olive - Cheshire. Birkenhead
Holt - ?Cheshire/Liverpool
Lacey - Mile End, London. Queensland, Australia
Felix (surname ), Wales, England.
Sewell - Middx. Queensland, Australia
Sapsord/ Sapsford - Middx

Offline BuddysMummy

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #2 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:06 GMT (UK) »
Sorry to have wasted your time a bit here.

I took my courage in both hands and have done a bit of research. It was easier than expected!

So...I now know about the Burma Stars, more or less.

I also know about the 1939-1945 British War Medal.

But still puzzled by the badges or whatever the fabric thing is, and about the extra ribbon and the missing one (on the ribbon bar) so would appreciate help about those please.
Rands - Hackney. Bedfordshire.
Griffiths - Birkenhead. Queensland, Australia
Ollive/Olive - Cheshire. Birkenhead
Holt - ?Cheshire/Liverpool
Lacey - Mile End, London. Queensland, Australia
Felix (surname ), Wales, England.
Sewell - Middx. Queensland, Australia
Sapsord/ Sapsford - Middx

Offline scrimnet

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #3 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:07 GMT (UK) »
You are actually missing onre, according to the ribbon bar...The Defence Medal...

You have the RAMC cap badge with associated Regt flash, the Burma Star, the War Medal, and the 1939-45 Star. The divisional badge I'll look up, and the lone ribbon is the Long Service Medal for the Special Constabulary
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.


Offline scrimnet

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #4 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:14 GMT (UK) »
There is only ONE Burma Satr there as that is all he would be entitled to!!

Here are the same ones from my collection (mostly family)
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline scrimnet

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #5 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:20 GMT (UK) »
And the reverse...
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline BuddysMummy

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #6 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:28 GMT (UK) »
Thank you so much.

It shows how little I knew. I assumed that the star shape made them both Burma stars! I can see now.

I am not sure about the Special Constabulary one. Is there any way of dating that? As far as I know my father never was in the police. But I think I recall that his father (the possible deserter from Scots Guards ::) ) was. But I am prepared for surprises (always!)

Thanks again
Rands - Hackney. Bedfordshire.
Griffiths - Birkenhead. Queensland, Australia
Ollive/Olive - Cheshire. Birkenhead
Holt - ?Cheshire/Liverpool
Lacey - Mile End, London. Queensland, Australia
Felix (surname ), Wales, England.
Sewell - Middx. Queensland, Australia
Sapsord/ Sapsford - Middx

Offline scrimnet

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #7 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:52 GMT (UK) »
Unless you can find the actual medal...Difficult...

On the rim of the Police Medal, there would be a name, and the obverse picture of the monarch does change!

It was instituted in 1919 for 15 yrs service. It is still issued today...
One more charge and then be dumb,
            When the forts of Folly fall,
        May the victors when they come
            Find my body near the wall.

Offline old rowley

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Re: Could you help with these medals please?
« Reply #8 on: Monday 17 November 08 21:53 GMT (UK) »
The Special Constabulary Long Service Medal was first instituted in the August of 1919 and I believe that it is still being awarded (although I could be wrong on that). Unfortunately one can not date the actual medal given just by the ribbon only unless of course it had bars attached to it.

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