1939-45 Medal Question

As I was getting prepared to take my Grandfathers medals in to be court-mounted for a new shadowbox display of his WWII items, I became curious about the 'common five' medals thats are seen quite often. Usually two stars and three medals.

Gramps medals are the 39-45 star, Italy star, F & G star, CVSM with clasp, and the defense medal. I have looked into the 1939-45 medal and he seems to fit the requirements. My Mother also told me that he said he was missing one medal...I wonder if he was referring to that one. His discharge paper only lists the five I have. Is there a place that a request for the 1939-45 medal can be made or is it way to late for that?

I would like to find this out before I get the medals court mounted...I do have an extra original 1939-45 medal that I could add to the set but I would like to have it official first.

Thanks for any info
Dale

Hey Dale, that is odd for sure. There are many groups that do not include the Defence Medal, as not enough time was spent in the UK to qualify. But the War Medal is pretty much a "gimme" I would consult his service records first to see if one was issued.

Below is a short note from the VAC.

The War Medal was awarded to all full-time personnel of the armed forces and merchant marines for serving for 28 days between 03 September 1939 and 02 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea.

"Please note that the above is only a summary outline of the conditions that apply to this medal. Additional information and a list of qualifing areas of service are available from the Honours and Awards Section, Veterans Affairs Canada, 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4"

If he was entitled to the other medals he for sure would have had the required 28 days service..... I would add the medal into the set.....


Mike

Thanks guys...I thought his medals were a bit odd. I sent in a request for his full records a few weeks ago so hopefully I get something soon. Last time I sent in a request I only got partial records. I was disappointed to say the least but he was gone only 13 years at that time. He was doing a lot of training in the UK before starting off in Sicily, so can understand why he has the Defense Medal.

Here are some scans of his service book showing the medals he received...his discharge papers show the same ones. No mention of a War Medal on either.

His war would have ended in May of 1945 but of course the war continued on in the Pacific..... The medal itself was not made until late 1945 and 1946 at which time after the service he had he would have had enough points to go home and be discharged..... Medal would have been sent to address shown at discharge.....

Mike

qsamike wrote:His war would have ended in May of 1945 but of course the war continued on in the Pacific..... The medal itself was not made until late 1945 and 1946 at which time after the service he had he would have had enough points to go home and be discharged..... Medal would have been sent to address shown at discharge.....

Mike

Great Thanks!

Guess it was lost somewhere...when he got back from Europe his marriage did not last very long and I heard that Grandma trashed a bunch of his stuff after the divorce. It's possible that it may be buried in an old dump about 45km south of me