Wearing medals

[birkettm]

Hello.

Last year i inherited my great grandads medals, these are now displayed on my wall, but i have since put together a set of miniatures with the intention of wearing them on 11/11 and rememberance sunday.

I believe i am allowed to if they are on the right hand side, does anyone have any thoughts or opinions as to whether i am or not?

Sorry if ive put this in the wrong place.

thanks,

marc

[Neil Mackenzie]

Marc.

For the full range of views (and then some!) please see the earlier thread link below

Wearing Medals

Neil

[iain mchenry]

Hi Marc,

Reference your posting, as far as I am aware as to wearing medals on the right side. Officially this is for direct next of kin on parades (eg. father, mother, husband, wife etc).

Many other forumites out there may have different thoughts and opinions, but I am only stating what I was recently told by my Regt Admin Offr.

Best regs

Iain

[Guest stevenbec]

Mate,

They are correct they should be worn only on the right and only direct family.

But of cause now days this is not followed much as I let my Grand Daughter wear my Grand Fathers medals, as she see's me and her father with medals on Anzac Day and wants to be like us.

I see notting wrong in it as it reminds us that my GF is also there even if only in medals and memories.

S.B

[harribobs]

But of cause now days this is not followed much as I let my Grand Daughter wear my Grand Fathers medals, as she see's me and her father with medals on Anzac Day and wants to be like us.

I see notting wrong in it as it reminds us that my GF is also there even if only in medals and memories.

S.B

i've got to agree and your grand daughter has a positive link to your grand dad

what could be better?

[Captain Dave]

I don't mind family wearing medals on rememberance occassions, but I do take umbridge to them being worn on the left by non recipients.

Mostly it's a case of mistaken knowledge, but I have met one guy who was a bit of a prat about it.

[birkettm]

but I have met one guy who was a bit of a prat about it.

Feel free to tell the story!

Had a read of linked thread and going to have a think.

Ta.

marc

[michaeldr]

Marc,

Backing-up Steve’s post above, the Australians take a very positive attitude to this and colour ads appear in the press to encourage the wearing of a relative’s medals.

The copy below is incomplete as it was on the back of something else, however I believe that the accompanying text described how the relative’s medals should be worn on the right side

Wear your great-grandfather’s medals with pride

Regards

Michael D.R.

[gem22]

Marc

Go for it. I wear my father's, and, as a direct descendant I doubt anyone would argue about my rights. I hope that at some time in the future my eldest boy will wear mine and those awarded to both his grandfathers. I'm not worried about him wearing them in memory of me but rather that he will be taking a positive part in the act of remembrance.

Garth

[Captain Dave]

but I have met one guy who was a bit of a prat about it.

Feel free to tell the story!

Had a read of linked thread and going to have a think.

Ta.

marc

On three occasions I have had the opportunity to ask people to move their decendants medals to the right side. In two of these cases the people were very nice about it and complied quite happily. However about two years ago I was at a University Capping and there was a chap getting his degree wearing a WW2 Desert Campaign set on the left. Seeing that he looked to be in his early 20's I went to have a chat to him and asked him about the medals. He stated they were his grandfathers and he wanted to wear them on this occassion as his grandfather had died a few years ago. Fair enough, I'm not going to argue with the logic.

I explained to him that it was the done thing to wear the medals on the other side as that denotes family, the side he was wearing them on denoted that he was the recipient. He stated that was the side that medals were meant to be worn on and explained ot me in a condescending manner that people would obviously know that they were not his, as he was too young to have won them.

I explained that while the argument was reasonable, it had the potential to justify to other people that it was ok to wear other medals on that side, and people may not be as picky as to what medals they wear and before long we have people impersonating Vietnam Veterans and pretending they have just completed a tour of Afghanistan with the SAS. Unfortionatly he was not as sympathetic towards the whole concept as I would have liked and he ended up having to leave for the ceremony. I saw him later on that day, medals still firmly in place.

Not terribly impressed. I see that there is still Civil Law in place that specificaly forbids people wearing medals and decorations they are not entitled to, perhaps I should have found a Policeman?

[Glosters]

As you say, it is actually an offence for anyone to wear medals they were not personally awarded. The wearing by family members has become accepted by custom, but has no legal basis.

Steve

[DirtyDick]

Are you sure it is an actual offence in the UK? I was under the impression that it was not.

I rather felt that doing such a thing would only conceivably be a criminal offence if one sought to deceive or defraud someone for personal gain - e.g. falsifying employment details for advantage, getting veterans' association benefits or reductions etc. - through falsely wearing or claiming medals to which one is not entitled.

Perhaps the awards of the Queen's Honours System and certain gallantry awards are protected from misuse, as they are an 'individual' and directly bestowed award, but I don't think this applies to campaign and commemorative medals.

(I think one could make a negative judgement about the mindset/frailties of such an individual without recourse to the Law.)

Richard

[Andrew Hesketh]

Wear them on the right and with pride on Remembrance Day. Not all agree, but I think it is a very valid way of remembering and honouring family members who can no longer wear them themselves.

[Staffsyeoman]

Just for two-penneth; in the UK, there is absolutely NO official basis for wearing on the 'wrong' side; it is simply a custom which has become accepted. Personally, I have a certain ambivalence; it keeps the medals 'alive', and better worn and venerated rather stuck in a drawer forgotten. But conversely, 80+ years of polishing won't be doing them a lot of good if this is done over enthusiastically, and I hate to see medals polished to oblivion.

Interesting that the practice almost has an official imprimatur in Oz. There is a priceless picture of Australian VCs at ANZAC Day (1990?) where all the Vietnam VCs were represented, by survivor Keith Payne and family members 'wrong siding' the posthumous ones.

I think DD has it right; only 'criminal' if for the result of gain, be it money or services; 'civil' otherwise - but it is 'impersonation'. Try prosecuting a 'Mitty' though. (perhaps we could encourage such a sad soul to drive past a speed camera too quickly whilst wearing them..)

[birkettm]

Decided...they shall be worn!

Thanks for all your replys and to michaeldr and gem22 making the statements to help me make my mind up!

Captain Dave - at least you had the satisfaction of knowing that he looked like a complete plonker.....

[Captain Dave]

Ref regarding wearing of medals.

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/medals/info/wearingmedals.html

Relevant parts

Wearing of Medals by Family Members

Direct descendants of deceased servicemen and women have recently been authorised to wear their relative's medals on specific occasions and under certain circumstances. This applies to both military and civilian descendants of former New Zealand services personnel. Medals must be worn on the right breast rather than the left to differentiate between former servicemen and women and direct descendants. The occasions on which wearing of relatives medals is permitted are confined to ANZAC Day (25th April) and Remembrance Day (11 November). In addition, it may be appropriate for descendants to wear relative's medals on an occasion where either the relative's service or the unit in which they served is being commemorated.

Wearing of Medals by Civilians

Ex service personnel who were entitled to wear medals while in uniform may continue to do so in civilian clothing on appropriate occasions. The medals are mounted and worn in exactly the same manner as for uniformed wear. The wearing of miniature medals by both male and female ex service personnel is designed to make wearing much more practical and comfortable while in evening dress. The wearing of miniature medals by civilians at other times (e.g. during commemorative services or parades) is not officially recognised.

Fraudulent Wearing of Medals

No person, with the exception of a direct descendant of a deceased service man or woman, may wear medals which have not been awarded to him or her personally. This also applies to the wearing of miniature medals and medal ribbons. In addition, no person may wear a medal or decoration awarded to them by a foreign government unless it has been approved for wear by the Sovereign. The Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Act 1918 and the Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Amendment Act 1974 refer.

[Guest robin miller]

I believe its up to the individale if he wants to wear Medals, but I do believe it has to a relative of the recipient.

I also agree that these should be worn on the right side by non recipients.

I dont have my Grand Father's WW1 Medals or my Grand Uncle's WW1 Medals (I'am seeking to find them) if I had them, I would only wear my grandfather's not my uncle's, but I do have my late father's WW2 Medals forewhich I will wear with pride on Armistice day, not only in memory of my father, but for the many men and women who lost there live's for are freedom.

My father never ever spoke to me or any of my brothers or sister about his part in the war, and from my child hood memory he never wore his medals, I believe the memories were to painful for him. He was in the Burma or the Forgotten War.

Both the WW1 and WW2 and the many battles since those wars sould never be forgotten.

Armistice Day is a day to remember those who lost there live's and also to the men and women who survived the wars who are no longer with us.

Remember these men and women, fought for are freedom!

[robbie]

The wearing of miniature medals by both male and female ex service personnel is designed to make wearing much more practical and comfortable while in evening dress. The wearing of miniature medals by civilians at other times (e.g. during commemorative services or parades) is not officially recognised.

Dave,

I've seen a number of miniature medals for sale on Ebay. I note that the purpose of these was for evening wear etc. AM I correct in thinking these mini medals are not engraved with name, rank etc?

Robbie

[birkettm]

Thats true. They are not.

[robbie]

Thanks mate. Can you recommend a good book that lists (with pics) medals from GW?

Robbie

[Guest sapper6]

Just came across this site. Fantastic. Ex NZ Soldier and all I can say about wearing of medals is which shows more respect. Selling them to someone, leaving them forgotten to gather dust or wearing them with pride in lived rememberance on the right hand side. Thats where my fathers and grandfathers are worn every ANZAC Day and will always be.

[Michael Pegum]

Thanks mate. Can you recommend a good book that lists (with pics) medals from GW?

Robbie

Robbie,

There must be many books on medals, but a good two to begin with are "British Campaign medals 1914 - 2000" and "British Gallantry Awards 1855 - 2000", both by Peter Duckers, Shire Publications, 2003 (see www.shirebooks.co.uk). These cover every medal in the Great War, with good coloured illustrations.

There is also "British Campaign Medals: Waterloo to the Gulf" by Robert W. Gould, Arms & Armour, 1994 (ISBN 1-85409-224-3), which gives more detail, but the illustrations are in black and white, and there is always Medal Yearbook published by Token Publishing (see http://www.tokenpublishing.com/books.asp?type=medal)

Michael Pegum

[robbie]

"British Campaign medals 1914 - 2000"

Thanks Michael..I just won a copy of this on Ebay yesterday.

Robbie

[mcderms]

I am extremely pleased to see that the Aussies encourage people to wear their relatives medals. As a nation, they really seem to understand what commemoration is all about.

My great uncle was KIA and never wore his medals. My great-grandfather died just after the war and never wore his medals. His brother was so traumatised by WW2 that he never wore his MM and never claimed his campaign medals. Also my grandfather rarely wore his numerous campaign stars from WW2.

With all the veterans passing away, who will remember the relevance of their sacrifice in the years to come if it is not enthusiasts and family historians like ourselves? I also completely disagree with the notion of 'direct relatives' - if you care enough to put hundreds of hours of research in to find someone, then you've earned the right to commerate them by wearing their medals on 11/11 each year.

What I'd like to see is an active campaign by the Haig Fund, IWM and WFA to get more people doing this.

[Guest Helen S]

Until watching the parade this morning I had no idea about this practice. All I can say is that it is an excellent way of keeping alive the memory of those who have served, whether they died action or over the years since the war(s).

My uncle died without issue, and I think in those circumstances any close relative should be encouraged to wear medals at remembrance services.

On the right, of course.