MEDALS ISSUE

[Guest Ian Topham]

Can anyone tell me:

When the WW1 Campaign medals were issued to the soldiers, sailors and airmen?

How did they receive their medals, during parades, or, some such military function, or on demobilisation?

And, in regards to those that lost their lives, what happened in the case of their issue of medals, and that of the memorial plaque to the families?

Many thanks

[Paul Reed]

There is another thread on this subject elsewhere on the forum at the moment.

But to answer some of your points; campaign medals were sent to soldiers via the post in the 1920s, after they had left the army. They were issued automatically to Other Ranks, and by application in respect of officers (thus many remained unclaimed).

The medals and plaque sent to the families of those who died were sent automatically to the address of the NOK listed in the soldiers service papers. They did not need to be claimed. However, some of the addresses supplied were incorrect or out of date and some medals were 'returned as undeliverable' (the phrase used by the Medal Office).

Hope that helps.

[Muerrisch]

Victory and 14-20 war medals thread already running under others, please consider merging the query on to that existing thread.

[Guest Ian Bowbrick]

Another phrase used for undeliveredmedals was 'Returned Undisposed'.

Ian

[Staffsyeoman]

There's currently a lot on Speedbid to a Pte 8/N Staffs, killed in June 1918 with all the paperwork concerning the dispatch of his medals to NOK; in April 1921.

It's lot 312769, pictures are good resolution. Sorry, couldn't seem to upload it as it's a .GIF file!!