S.A. Medal for War Service

[Mervyn Mitton]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-47660000-1401267638.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-79417500-1401267725.jpgclick

THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDAL FOR WAR SERVICES (2ND. WW)

[Mervyn Mitton]

This was a Civilian Award - to reward civilian volunteers who served at least two years in any Official voluntary

organisation within South Africa - or, overseas. Service had to be unpaid and voluntary.

They were un-named named medals.

The ribbon was Red, White, and Blue - the South African Colours at that period. (The ribbon on this one has seen use)

Only 17,500 were struck in solid silver. With this small number they are sought after and not often seen overseas.

The tragedy - as always - is that they are being bought to melt down for the silver value. Mervyn

[peter monahan]

The first medal I ever bought - Pte. R. Milne, 7/W YORK. R, killed on the first day of the Somme - came into a shop where I was in a cigar box with 50 others, on iits way toa smelter. Silver was $11.00 an ounce and the fellow sold the medals to anyone who wanted one for $10.00 each! What a shame and, in some places, a crime.

[rdarby]

Sorry Mervyn (hello by the way) but this was NOT a named medal. The sad thing was that although there were only 17000 issued they were unnamed.

There was a certificate with it, of which not many survive, but without it you can't tell who the medal was to.

The prefixes you mention were found on the other South African medals such as the Italy Star etc. but not this one.

So if you find such a medal it is meant to have a blank rim, it hasn't been erased.

Cheers

Ryan

[Mervyn Mitton]

Ryan - I've just realised who you are. I hope you are well and settled nicely - drop me an IM when you have time.

Don't know why I mentioned the race letters - I have had enough of these in the shop to know they are un-named.

I will delete from my original post. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn