Strange group...

[Chris Boonzaier]

I have not had it researched, so it is possible a star is missing...

but is it possible to get a Defence, War medal and Africa Service medal... without a 39-45 star?

[Brian Wolfe]

I have not had it researched, so it is possible a star is missing...

but is it possible to get a Defence, War medal and Africa Service medal... without a 39-45 star?

From what I know the answer is yes. The Airforce ground crews were not included and got the Defence and the War Medal. I don't know if this also included the Arfica Star in the rule.

So ground crew would have the Defence and War Medal without the 1939/45 Star.

Pehaps someone else can comment on the Africa Star.

Regards

Brian

Edited May 8, 2010 by Brian Wolfe

[Tony]

Don't know if this helps Chris but here are the issue entitlements.

Defence Medal:

Service in the Forces in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened, providing such service lasted at least three years.

Non-operational service in the Forces overseas or outside the country of residence, providing that this service lasted for at least one year. If the territory was threatened by the enemy, or subjected to air raids, the duration requirement was reduced to six months.

Civil defence in military operational areas providing these civil defence activities were not eligible for campaign stars.

Members of any of the civilian services entitled to wear chevrons for their war service were eligible for this medal.

Members of the Home Guard resident in the UK, who had completed at least three years service.

Recipients of the George Cross or George Medal, regardless of their occupation, provided the George Cross or George Medal were won for service in civil defence.

War Medal:

Awarded to all full time personnel of the Armed Forces. Operational and non operational service of at least 28 days. The Merchant Navy requirement stated that the 28 days minimum should be served at sea. The recipient was awarded this medal if their service period was terminated by their death, disability due to service or capture as a prisoner-of-war and their service qualified them for one of the stars. Also if the recipient had received one of the stars for a service period of less than 28 days, they were also awarded the War Medal.

The UK War Medals were made from cupro-nickel, whilst the Canadian War Medal is made from silver.

Those War Medals issued to UK personnel were not officially named. However, those issued to Australian and South African personnel were officially named.

39-45 Star:

This star was awarded for service in the Second World War between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.

The recipient was awarded this star if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service. Also the award of a gallantry medal or MID also produced the award of this medal, regardless of their service duration.

Royal Navy personnel had to complete 6 months service afloat in active operational areas.

Army personnel had to complete 6 months service in an operational command. Airborne troops qualified if they had participated in any airborne operations and had completed 2 months service in a fully operational unit.

RAF personnel had to participate in operations against the enemy providing that 2 months service had been completed in an operational unit. Non-aircrew personnel had to complete 6 months service in an area of operational army command.

Merchant Navy qualified if they completed 6 months service, and at least 1 voyage was made through an operational area.

Members of fighter aircraft crews who took part in the Battle of Britain (10 July to 31 October 1940) were awarded the "Battle of Britain" bar to this medal.

Africa Service Medal:

To qualify for the medal, a member of those services must have volunteered for war service outside South Africa, and have served continuously for thirty days, or part-time for a total of eighteen hours, between 6 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. As the name indicates, the medal was originally intended for service in Africa, up to the defeat of the Axis forces in North Africa 1943, but it was later extended to cover service anywhere in the world, right up to the end of the war.

My only SA group includes the 39-45 Star, Africa Star, War Medal and Africa Service Medal but no Defence Medal.

Tony