Duncan

As a sideline to my military medals I occasionally collect other medals that look interesting. I see there's a lot of beautiful French civil medals that are otten very cheap - like the one in the picture I've just bought. However there's very little information I can find on French civil medals. Does anyone know of any online guides or resources out there, preferably in English. Many thanks Duncan.

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know what it was actually awarded for?

Amazing, thank you. I'm now going to check all my medal ribbons.

OK odd question, but why do people selling on Ebay advertise something was UV negative? What on earth is all that about, anyone know?

Wow! Fantastic, thank you.

Hello, does anyone out there recognise this table medal at all? The guy I bought it off said it was something to to with the Urals and service during WW2. Also was the writing might say? I've searched the Internet but couldn't see anything similar? Thanks all, Duncan.

Thanks everyone, really useful. US medals were a bit of a sideline in my collecting, but now my main area of late.

Thanks, that's really helpful.

Thanks yes, I'd particularly like the Silesian Eagle. I was also after the Belgian Yser Cross (not the medal version, I have one of those) - sorry, slightly off topic there.

I picked these two up quite cheaply but was wondering about the silver stars on the ribbons. I assume they're for subsequent awards, with 5 bronze stars being replaced with one silver? Where these awards issued that often that someone could be awarded them 5 or more times though?

Thanks everyone for the advice. I love these Freikorp awards but not skilled enough to tell the fakes from the real thing. I'll take your advice and read up on it. Regards Duncan.

Thanks for that, that's what I thought too.

I was tempted to get these but thinking they're probably modern copies. I don't really have the skill to tell fakes from genuine unless it's really obvious. Can someone tell me their opinion on whether they're genuine or not? Many thanks, Duncan.

I'm trying to research this guy, but coming up with very little. Anyone any suggestions please? The letter was posted 3rd August 1944 from Ayr in Scotland. Also, anyone any info on the 4th Field Dressing Station, I can't find any info on them at all.

Really, that's interesting! He mentions a lot about coming back on furlough and how he'd love to take her dancing again. ? She kept the letters all these years. Wonder if they ever met again?

Thanks everyone, that's definitely the guy. I researched the woman they were written to and she was a 27 year old housewife living with her husband. My GI must have been billeted with them. From the tone of his letters he must have been quite smitten with her.

I took these photos in 2007 in Trebah Gardens in Cornwall. The beach there was used as an embarkation beach by the US for D-day. The photo of the undergrowth shows trenches dug by US anti-aircraft gun crews. The beach photos show concrete square blocks that look like huge chocolate bars. The blocks formed a concrete mat that covered the beach so tanks could drive on to the landing craft. Unfortunately, last time I went all the blocks has been cleared away and the trenches no longer visible. Trebah Gardens used to make quite a bit of its D-day connection, with quite a few displays and notice boards around. Unfortunately all that seems to have been removed now too and apart from a small monument down by the beach, there's nothing linking it to D-day now.

Hello everyone, I bought a lovely set of letters sent from France just after D-Day by an American GI to a housewife in England he's been billeted with. Is there anyway I can find out more information on the soldier, his full details are on the front of the envelope (attached picture). He was obviously very fond of her, judging by the tone of the letters! Thank you, Duncan.

That's greatly, thank for the information. Regards Duncan.

I managed to pick up a named Italy Star, I assume its to a South African. Any tips on how I can trace him or get details of who he was and what unit he served with. He's '214473, J. G. KENNEDY'. Tried uploading a photo but kept getting an error message. Cheers Duncan.

That's great, thanks, I'll try and find them on the Internet.

Anyone know where I can get South African WW2 service records for service men? I'm in the UK. If they're not online anyone know of a good researcher. Cheers Duncan

Thanks for that. Can't find PI maker listed anywhere!

Can anyone identify the manufacturer stamp PI-GI, I can't seem to find it listed anywhere. And if they can whether it dates it to a specific date? Oddly the suspension broach is upside-down, so the pin opens the opposite to normal. Regards Duncan.