Veteran

Good morning Dante This group is VERY unusual. Am I right to assume that the BWM is named ? Could it be confirmed by the Roll at Kew? How about the Mention in dispaches? The combination of awards is strange : Legion of honor + French military medal should normally go with a croix de guerre having at least one palm, and probably other devices as well. The military medal being the highest award for bravery to a non-commissioned fighter (and often only awarded after a series of previous mentions in dispaches), the Legion of honor would have to be awarded after he was promoted to commissioned rank or for further outstanding services after the Military medal (posthumeously ?). The Victory Medal is the french type and would probably have been worn before the french WW1 Commemorative medal. The story must certainly be interesting to read. Could we have more? Thank you for showing this intriguing set of awards. The only explanation for the BWM may well have be, if confirmed, the award of a Mention in dispaches by the British, which would then make it more of a decoration in its own right than a commemorative medal. Very best regards Paul

Sorry, I did not make it. Here is my next effort

Hello everyone Could this cross also be considered to have the first type eagle?. It shows no marking on the arms. What period could it possibly be? Thank you for your comments Best regards to all on this fine forum Veteran

Hello Hendrik and Roel It is not a surprise that few Belgian military personnel, if any, should be found among the BWM awards. At the end World War 1. Allies decided that they would not exchange commemorative war medals, and the Victory medal was created on a similar design for all, in order to mark the common success. Only Belgian and French civilians, who were not entitled to the War commemorative medal of their own countries, could receive a British Commemorative medal. Those were the ones who got it.... and it was all the more valued that they were not recognised as members of the armed forces of their own countries. It was a nice gesture of fairness from the British to recognise them as having usefully (and dangereously) done their bit and a great compliment (very decent chap, y'know, could be British !). I personnally highly value and have great respect for these BWM to civilians, who acted as allies. What they did was very brave indeed. Incidentally, there seems to have been quite an exchange of messages on this topic in 2005, to be found in the British medals section of this forum. With lots of useful information, starting with a BWM found in Marrakesh which turned out to have been awarded to a Belgian lady. Very best regards Veteran

Hello everyone, This is my first message on this outstanding forum, so please bear with me if I goof here or there. It may be of interest to add at least 2 well-known British awards to this list : The Allied Subjects Medal, in silver and in bronze. According to Abbott & Tamplin, the reference authors of "British Gallantry Awards" they were awarded for outstanding services at great risks, giving assistance to British soldiers behind the ennemy's lines. Recipients were mainly Belgian (60 silver medals including 27 to ladies, and 307 bronze medals including 118 to ladies - out of a total of 137 silver and 574 bronze medals. Indeed an extremely scarce award, issued un-named. It seems that replacement silver medals may have also been struck in Belgium (I would love to have confirmation of this, as I believe I have one). The other very seldom mentioned British award to Belgians is the British War Medal, approximately 4,300 of which were awarded for services to the Allied cause. They are fully described in one of the registers for the BWM kept by the British National Archives at Kew. The medals are named on the edge with the initial and name of the person who received it. One such medal to a gentleman who lived in Ath is known. I seem to recall that a very good paper about an other one was published some years ago in the Journal of the OMRS. Apparently recipients were considered to be members of the Intelligence organisation of the British Forces, and received the medal as such. This much for the 1914-1918 War. More British awards were certainly awarded to Belgians during WW2, including the King's Medal for Courage and the King's Medal for Service. Very best regards to all the members of this forum Veteran