WW2 Defence Medal

[chrissiehope]

I've just come across a small box addressed to my late father in law, which contains a Defence Medal, ribbon, and a piece of paper just saying words to the effect that this is a Defence Medal relating to the period 1939 - 1945.

I had no idea he had been awarded this, and would like to know why he got it - as far as I know he wasn't in the military, but I think about that time he was a senior (if not chief) Accountant for a predecessor of British Rail, so maybe a reseved occupation. Presumably tho' he wouldn't have been awarded a medal just for that - so does anyone know where I might find further info - is there some kind of gazette ?

(I can't ask my husband as he has also died  )

[alanmack]

Quite likely in some sort of uniformed service e.g. Home Guard. Defence Medals seem to have been awarded quite generally but I'm sure one of the experts will soon make clear the qualification for the award.

[jds1949]

There is some information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Medal_(United_Kingdom)

Might also be worth checking if notification appeared in the London Gazette -

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/

jds1949

[stanmapstone]

There is some information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Medal_(United_Kingdom)

jds1949

The URL is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Medal_%28United_Kingdom%29

Stan

[stanmapstone]

Owing to the terms of reference it was not unusual to find a person with this award who had never heard a shot fired, but a person with only the Defence Medal, for example, whilst serving in the rescue services in London earned also this award and only the man who wears this award knows why it was earned. http://en.ww2awards.com/award/30
Because there were so many awarded it won't be listed in the Gazette. There is a list of 546 recipients at http://en.ww2awards.com/award/30/abc
Stan

[stanmapstone]

The types of Awards and Accreditations in The Gazette are shown at https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/103

Stan

[chrissiehope]

Thanks folks - just a bit of light reading then 

[chrissiehope]

OK, I've read all those links - the Gazette doesn't throw up any results 

He was born in 1896, so would have been 43 when war broke out. I know that in 1944 he was in the Birmingham area. where he married his second wife, but by the time their son arrived in Sep 1945, they were living in Middlesex.
So all in all, I think the best guess is likely to be the Home Guard.... I don't suppose there are records of who was in that ?

[stanmapstone]

The only records I know of online are the for Durham Home Guard at the National Archives. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/atoz/h.htm#

Stan