Dear Sir,
It is FANTASTIC reading your posts. As a subaltern, one of the first few books I bought was your 'Medals & Decorations of Independent India' and I'm happy to say- I'm all the wiser for it! I am now posted on a peacekeeping mission with UNIFIL and in some small way, am trying to to keep the tranquility between Lebanon and Israel. Sir, while here in Lebanon, I have also undertaken a 'personal sort-of project' project, which is to 're-build' my grandfather's medal set, for myself now/ and maybe for presenting to the Regiment at a later stage in life. (My grandfather, father and I incidentally have some 80 years in the same Regiment and they both had the honour to command it as well). The original set of medals, incidentally was presented to 'another Regiment' that my grandfather was ordered to raise, and they occupy a place of pride in the ibid Regiments Quarter Guard.
Sir, at a recent visit to Spink, London, I was able to recreate exactly half the set by getting four original, good condition and un-named medals (The 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45) on my grandfathers set. Luck further favoured me some more, and I was able to get the UNEF-I medal too at an online medal auction. Thereafter, the struggle has begun: while I was able to procure a decent condition and un-named Indian Independence Medal 1947, the last two medals are turning out to be a nightmare:- The Videsh Seva Medal with clasp 'Sayunkt Arab Ganjrajya' (UAR) and the Raksha Medal 1965.
I understand these were perhaps made in very small numbers (as medals go) and getting hold of an un-named or a decent condition medal may prove to be next to impossible. However, I am doing what I can to leave no stone un-turned as this is the only family set that is 'missing' (so to say) and I hope before long to be able to replace it. Having exhausted all options (seemingly) I turn to you for help/ ideas on how to proceed from here.
I apologize for leaving names of Regiments and other details missing/ vague in this message, sir. I am sure you realize, the Do's and Don'ts that are hand in glove with life in uniform.
Yours Sincerely,
sahil