Genealogy Chat

Margaret, I have just re-read the thread and see you are looking at RAF service. That will mean that all the information I have won't be of use to you as I was dealing with the Army. You are best to use some of the information given here. Sorry!! Elisabeth xx

I think some of the rules must have changed since I started on my quest. I have been on the trail for more than 18 months now, and though I have been told the medals are to be issued to me, they haven't come yet. When I started I had to have proof of service, and though I had a service number it wasn't enough. Perhaps this was because I was only looking at Home Guard service for WW2 - Dad had been too old to join up in the Army again - he did serve from Aug 1914 - April 1919. I had to get proof of service from Glasgow records and that took an amazing amount of time, but eventually gave me a marvellous treasure. Even though I was asking for proof of WW2 service they simply photocopied my father's complete file with all of his WW1 service too. It was well worth the £25 I spent. Margaret - I will mail you, as promised with the addresses and telephone numbers, which may speed up the process.

I claimed my Nan's almost 2yrs ago. I simply wrote to them stating that I believed she hadn't collected them and asking would it be possible to claim them now. I also stating my relationship to her. They sent a form back asking for more details and if Nan was stil alive she had to sign the papers although they was sent to me. Nan could't even recall her army number or anything. I enclosed another letter stating that Nan had signed in her married name ( army life was pre marriage) And about 6 mths later I recieved them Nan doesn't want them because A) she has no wish to be reminded of it all and B) she feels she didn't really do anything to deserve them. So they have pride of place in a frame at mine.!!!

Here's another site: http://www.ssafa.org.uk/Medal_Information_Factsheet.html I'm pretty sure she just wrote to the address and included what she had from the CWGC site. Will call her later. Crista

Crista I have send that web addy to my cousin, thank you Margaret

Crista Any info at all would be great. As I said to Elisabeth, my cousin is a total novice at genealogy and computers and the first question he asks me I cant answer. LOL I knew where I could get the info though, the folks on here know everything. Margaret

Found this. Has the addresses to write to: http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/medals_folder/medals_campaign_medals.htm Medal Offices Royal Navy Medal Office Room 1068 Centurion Building Grange Road Gosport PO13 9XA Royal Marines Medal Office Room 038 Centurion Building Grange Road Gosport PO13 9XA Royal Fleet Auxiliary Medal Office Room 11 Lancelot Building HM Naval Base Portsmouth PO1 3NH Army Medal Office Block A Government Buildings Worcester Road Droitwich Spa WR9 8AU RAF Medal Office PMA(Sec)1c(RAF) Building 248A RAF Innsworth Gloucester GL3 1EZ Crista

Only the records will say whether the medals have been issued or not. MOD would soon tell you if they have. However if he/she was in the Army/Services during the war then I think they would have been be eligible for the Defence Medal and the 1939-45 War Medal. If he served overseas in a war zone when fighting was taking place during WW2 then he would probably be eligible for a 'Star' medal ie Burma Star, Africa Star, France/Germany Star as well.

Margaret, My mother applied for her father's Navy WW2 medals last year. I don't think it took long and she didn't have have proof of service. I can find out the details if you need them. I expect it is different for the RAF though. Crista

Elisabeth That is what my uncle thought apparently. He was in the stores in the RAF and didnt consider he had done his bit so didnt claim them. Elisabeth I am going to email you if you dont mind to ask you for the full details of how to apply for them. My aunt is dead too and my cousin is a novice at genealogy and computers which is why he asked me for advise. Everyone else who replied, thank you for your advise. Margaret

I am waiting for the issue of my father's WW2 medals, which he didn't bother to claim. (I have his WW1 medals already.) It has taken a long time but they should arrive soon. They did need proof of service, which involved a long wait for records (and £25) from Glasgow, but that is all done and I'm waiting patiently. (Well, not too patiently!) (It does seem quite common that the medals were not claimed. The WW1 medals were issued automatically. My father didn't consider he had done much in WW2, just Home Guard etc, but he was still entitled.)

Yes the MOD will issue Medals that haven't been issued previously to the 'next of kin' of the soldier, so your aunt if she's still alive. On request they will send you a form which needs to be completed/signed by next of kin. If helps if you can give them as much info as possible that will make searching for his records easier. It does take awhile though and I think I heard that the office had been moved from Droitwich. However am sure they will forward to right address. MOD will not re-issue medals.

He will need to prove his relationship, But then its a case of contacting the MOD. I exspect you can find out more on there web site or on NAs

My cousin told me last night that his dad didnt claim his war medals. He is sure of this as his dad told him so. Does anyone know how and where my cousin can now claim them. His dad died a few years ago.