Medal ribbon (Army)

[nickb]

I have been looking through some photos of my Grandad and his brother from the war years and have one question (for now) to ask.

Both of them have a medal ribbon on their uniform. I am curious because although the photo of my Grandad is not dated his brothers is "2 Feb 1944".

the photo is black & white but the shades are

white block-thin dark line-white block-dark block-white block.

if this makes any sense to any vets out there.

this medal ribbon also appears on their post war photos as well.

Any idea what the medal ribbon represents?

Nick

[Donnie]

Dunno could you post any pictures.......if you cant...an idea of where he served would help I.E. which theatre of war...i cant think of a campaign star which matches your description....possibly Africa Star?

Edit: infact i would go for Africa Star.....seeing as alot of period photos i have seen fade out the pale blue line (making it completely white/light looking) on the right hand side of the ribbon......also if his brother is wearing the same ribbon and is date 2 Feb '44 then it would be too early for a F&G Star to be issued.....as nobody yet qualified for it!.......


Donnie

[Rich Payne]

If the 'white' is actually pale yellow, it could be the Africa Star. (yellow, narrow dark blue, yellow, broad red, yellow, narrow pale blue, yellow). I believe that some ribbons were issued before the war's end.

I think that the only possible ribbon that begins white is the George IV Coronation medal and only a few were picked out for them.

Rich

[nickb]

Cannot seem to find how to put pics on. changed settings on my CP but no paperclip to insert images.

as soon as i work it out i will put a pic on.

as for your questions regarding theatre of operation.

Not sure yet for my Grandad waiting for his service records but his brother was in Africa and Italy. I have a postcard he sent to my Grandad with scenes of Rome dated 17 Jan 1945 he has the same ribbon on then as he did in the Feb 1944 pic.

[von Poop]

Hi Nick,
The paperclip should appear above the window after you click 'go advanced' below it.
This thread hopefully gives a step by step guide.

Good luck, and PM me or the mods if you still have any bother.

Cheers,
Adam

Edit: - Just noticed you were stuck in 'recruit' status. Sorted that and you should be fine now; sorry!

[Owen]

Have a look at PeterG's site.
Very good for helping with medal ribbon ID.
British Gallantry, Orders, and Campaign ribbons.

[PeterG]

Nick

Take a look at the three images of the Africa Star.

I have converted the second to greyscale (i.e., pure black and white). In the third, I have reduced the contrast as it might appear in a photo.

Do the two b/w images resemble those in your photo?

Peter

[nickb]

Many thanks to all, I have worked it out so with luck there should be a picture of my Grandads brother Tom.

from the advice the ribbon certainly looks like the Africa Star. Same shades PeterG. I have compressed the file to abide by the limits so let me know if the pic is OK.

I will try and find a pic of my Grandad showing the same ribbon.

Tom defineatley served in Africa and Italy but I not sure if my Grandad did also. He was one of the many thousands who NEVER uttered a word about the war. A real pity as I have always had a facination with most things military. So it may turn out that he served in exactly the opposite theatres than we all assumed.

the story always went that he was evacuated from Dunkirk - he was pictured in Bungay Nfk in dec 1940 and then landed at Normandy. that is all i was ever told by family not him.

I have early war pics of him with an RA cap badge then by Dec 1941 he has an RE cap badge. Thanks to Geoff Reeves for his Service numbers. My Grandads number was 953955 so according to the list he enlisted in the RA but on my Dads birth he is a RE Sapper with the same service number.

Nick

[PeterG]

Nick

That is indeed the Africa Star. The photo was taken in Rome in 1944/45. It bears the legend Ricordo di Roma (Souvenir of Rome). At the top left there is Il Lupo di Roma, the she wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remo, the mythical founders of Rome. At the top right is what is now known as the Altare della Patria, but which many Italians have now forgotten is the memorial to King Victor Emmanuele II, built between 1885 and 1911. At the right centre is the colonnade from the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, and at bottom right St Peter's.

Peter

[nickb]

Many thanks Peter.

I didnt think medals or ribbons were awarded until after the wars end.

regards

Nick