Somme Commemoration medal

[auchonvillerssomme]

I though pals might be interested in these 2 certificates named to Ernest Hamilton Fox ex-4th Bn Royal Fusiliers.

1. Medaille Commemorative de Batailles de la Somme dated 1st July 1956.

2. 1914 - 1964 IEPER 50 Jaar later. dated 17th May 1964.

Unfortunately I don't have his medals.

2.

[high wood]

Very interesting certificates. A few random thoughts: I have not seen these before and I wonder if ex-servicemen would of had to apply for them. They may have been part of a Franco-Belgic scheme to honour those that took part in the fighting which involved either giving them to specific individuals who applied for them or given to large numbers of veterans via a data base provided by the British Legion or similar organisation. I suspect that it was the former option as they don't appear to be common items. The date on the Ypres certificate is strange given that it states 50 years later, 17th May 1964 is a bit premature for the 50th anniversary, but then again if you have to organise thousands of certificates it would take some preplanning. I wonder if they were advertised through the Old Contemptibles Association and could be applied for in advance of the anniversary.

Lastly, was Ernest Hamilton entitled to the 1914 Star?

[auchonvillerssomme]

I can't definately pin Ernest down but if he is the man I believe he is, no he isn't entitled to a 1914 star. As you probably know the top certificate came with a medal which I have, whether it was the one issued to him though I don't know. I bought them off ebay a good couple of years ago, I thought I was only purchasing the medal but it came with these and no other info. I hadn't seen either of the certificates before, the medals are relatively common but fetch stupid prices.

[high wood]

The French certificate seems to have been issued by an association called "those of the Somme", probably not an exact translation. I guess that the original owner joined the association.

This might be the original owner:

2309 Pte Ernest H Fox Royal Fusiliers.

Births Sep 1897 Fox Ernest Hamilton: Kensington 1a 119

[auchonvillerssomme]

Thats the man I have. If the serial number is anything to go by there were quite a number issued, but from the lack of certificates or info not many to British veterans.