WWII British Medal Groups and Naming

[teamski]

One of the chief complaints by WWII British soldiers after getting their medals was the fact that they weren't named. Naming of British medals had been the tradition up until the war, so why not now? Some soldiers had their medals unofficially named and these medals are called "Boots named" medals due to the fact that the Boots pharmacy chain engraved medals as a service after the war. I personally only owned one Boots medal and it was a War Medal that was issued posthumously to a RAF pilot who died in a training flight.

 

Now, of all of the British dominions, only two officially named their medals; the South Africans and Australians. Everybody else was SOL.

 

This first group is a South African group to a member the South African 6th Armored Division in Italy. His medals are named on the edges of the coins and on the back of the stars as was usual for British medals. Naming only included name and number with no rank or unit included.

[teamski]

The reverse of the stars.....

[teamski]

The Australians named their medals as well, with only the number and name of the recipient.

[teamski]

The reverse.....

[teamski]

New Zealand did not name their medals......

[teamski]

......and neither did the Canadians (from my DFC group).

[teamski]

Now, you will find some Indian groups named, but I am almost certain that this was done after independence, but I could be wrong. I hope you enjoyed the thread...... any corrections welcomed of course!

 

-Ski

[bobgee]

Ski - Rhodesia also named their medals. I had the honor of owning 2 groups to a pair of brothers - both were KIA - one was awarded the CGM-Flying as a P-40 pilot in Italy. The other was a a Bomber gunner KIA over Germany. Also recall that the BOOTS Chemists offered a free naming of medals to Brits, post-war of course. Bob

[teamski]

Thanks for the correction! I, myself, have never had the honor, hehehehe......

 

-Ski

[PaulR]

I love the British mounting practice. Very cool mounted bars.

[teamski]

Yeah, it is pretty cool. The term for mounting medals with the medal sewn to the ribbon is called "court" mounted. Medals mounted with the medals dangling is called "Loose" mounted.

 

-Ski

[captainofthe7th]

More excellent groups, Ski. I have started picking up the South African groups due to the ease of researching. The Australian medals are very popular and also have records available, but I haven't been able to pick any up at a good deal. I enjoy seeing both countries represented and have been able to learn a bit about their involvement in the war - things we have not learned about in general history classes.

 

Rob

[teamski]

More excellent groups, Ski. I have started picking up the South African groups due to the ease of researching. The Australian medals are very popular and also have records available, but I haven't been able to pick any up at a good deal. I enjoy seeing both countries represented and have been able to learn a bit about their involvement in the war - things we have not learned about in general history classes.

 

Rob

 

 

South African groups used to be dead cheap. I got this group back in 1996 at an antique mall in Newmarket when I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall in the UK. You would find these "medal boards" at antique shops that would have groups or individual medals pinned up in a hanging case. The group cost a mere 28 pounds or about $42 at the time. Stupid cheap and yet you get a named grouping. This was at a time when WWI trios were going for 20 pounds! Things have gone up quite a bit since then.

 

-Ski