stevem49 Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 I hope this is allowed and in the correct place (It is WW1 related) This morning the post arrived - a letter from Hazel Greaves, daughter of Fred VC. (Oct 4th 1917) Out fell a VC medal bar with a letter saying ' I would like you to have this miniature medal that my father wore when he did not were his VC medal' I am absolutely stunned. Hazel is a lovely lady who I met when writing the history of 9th Bn SF. We have kept in touch ever since with occasional visits and regular phone calls. The medal bar has a small VC on it - was this normal? Off to get a strong coffee! Steve M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Brew one for me whilst your at it Steve. That is one Royal Mail delivery you will never forget. Brilliant. Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rksimpson Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Hi Steve Yes the bar does have a small VC in the middle, nice. How about a picture of them! regards Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Yes, a picture would be good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 12 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2013 There was not enough postage so I should have paid £1.19 extra but they let me off - must be my birthday (Although I have just had a bill from the Kid of £2000 for her Borneo D of E Gold trip next year) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Now you ONLY have to find £1998.81.A mere bagatelle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Don't know about the place, but it is a lovely story. A photograph would be much appreciated, and how kind of the lady, who could surely have turned even this miniature into quite a large sum had she so wished, but who chose to pass it instead to someone she had come to respect. One to treasure. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulsterlad2 Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 What a very kind jesture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anneca Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Yes, a kind gesture indeed, this must have been such a surprise. Looking forward to the photo? Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Get it on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 12 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2013 You are naughty Broomers Think I have attached photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Just slightly out of focus Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 12 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Bit like me It does not like the small VC on red! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 My mate likes tuna on brown is that similar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 12 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Spooky - that is what I had for lunch Will get my DSLR out and try later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 One lucky, lucky man! Such a kind and generous thing to do, we all know how much you appreciate it, and i'm sure that's what she wanted for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Presume this is an official issue item similar to the rosette that came with the "Mons Star" bar? Presume it is in the same metal as the VC itself? It must have significant value. i think there was an Army order in 1917 to instruct the wearing of the miniature on the ribbon when the medal itself was not worn. Chavasse would have worn the ribbon with 2 miniatures, I think. Would a current VC winner also use this ribbon distinction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 12 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2013 From seeing a photo of Fred, He had a medal bar with the various medals plus a separate bar for VC. Photo of all his medals - http://www.ypressalient.co.uk/Fred%20Greaves%20VC.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarsA Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 A great gift, congrats! Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 You must have made a terrific impression on her!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Wilson Posted 12 October , 2013 Share Posted 12 October , 2013 Very nice to have such an item which can be directly linked to a VC recipient. Here is one picked up years ago in a junk shop locally recipient unknown. Philip OMRS 943 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 13 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2013 Decent image. I also have photos of him and various records (machine gun course etc) Something I will forever treasure. The bar is one and half inches long. Mini VC is 3/8th by 3/8th. (don't do cent litres!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 13 October , 2013 Share Posted 13 October , 2013 I would imagine that most of these mini medal ribbon VC's go along with the main medals when they are sold or are donated to a museum. So those that "escape" must be rare - rarer than the actual medal?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 13 October , 2013 Share Posted 13 October , 2013 This thread cheers me up. Miss Greaves obviously wanted the satisfaction of knowing that she was giving the ribbon and facsimile to someone who would truly appreciate it, and Steve seems to be a very deserving recipient. The Germans have a saying, "Geteilte freude is doppelte freude" - pleasure shared is pleasure doubled - and that's the case here. I guess that Hancock's make the ribbon adornments and might well be pleased to know where it now is, especially if they (and miniature Crosses) are made from the original bronze ingot. They certainly keep tabs on the full size medals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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