167510 (4130967) Captain Thomas Joseph KENNEDY, DCM, MiD, Cheshire Regiment & Force 399: 27/09/1944

From the information on this item can anyone advise what medals he would have been awarded please . The DCM is the only one I'm sure of

 

He was entitled according to the medal card five medals and one clasp or emblem (5-1):

1939-45 Star
Africa Star with 8th Army clasp/emblem
Italy Star
Defence Medal
1939-45 War Medal

This card is for the campaign medals only and would not include any mention of gallantry awards such as the DCM.

 

Here are a couple of photographs of the medal entitlement listed above in order of wear. One shows the Africa Star with the 8th Army clasp and the other with the 8th Army emblem:

 

Additionally, as your grandfather was awarded a Mention in Despatches (MiD), an oak leaf emblem would be attached to the War medal.

 

Steve,

Sorry mate, just a quick one. On the second picture, with the 8 emblem, it would appear that the Defence medal and War medal, are on the wrong ribbons.

Best,
John.

 

So they are John. Well spotted....I quickly went through a Google search to find the correct entitlement with the 8th Army emblem and never thought to check the medals to the ribbons. Apologies to Cathyk28 too.

 

Looks like his SOE personnel file is available to access at The National Archives:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14208234

 

Don't worry. I appreciate the fact that you're trying to help me. I'm grateful to you and everyone who has responded to my original post

 

I'm going to look stupid now probably but I've just followed this link and it says I have to specify the pages/details I want copied. I have no idea what is in the records. Even my dad (his son) has never seen anything so can I just say I want copies of everything they have?

 

Please don’t go down the national archives copying route. It’s far too expensive.

Several members offer a national archives look up and copying service at a fraction of the NA cost. Try Gary Tankard or Drew5233. Other members are available.

Steve

 

Oh wow thank you for this

 

Just an update for everyone who was kind enough to try and help me...
Using a medal tracking service run by a company called Token Publishing in Exeter, the person who has all the medals saw my search and responded over the Christmas period. Unfortunately he does not want the company to pass his details on to me so I'm unable to make any contact with him so a disappointing outcome unfortunately

 

It must be very frustrating, to know there is a possible link to information and for it to be closed down.

 

Hi

I had a look through the indexes of my copy of "Unearthing Churchill's Secret Army: The Official List of SOE Casualties and their Stories" by John Grehan and Martin Mace

Unfortunately I didn't find any reference to your grandfather.

Gus

 

Thank you for doing that. I have seen books advertised and wondered if there was any reference