Grandads Medals

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by Kiran, Nov 8, 2014.

  1. Kiran

    Kiran New Member

    Hi guys, firstly thanks for taking time to read my post, I'll start with a short back story, I will be getting married soon and was talking with my wife-to-be about my grandfather, granddad fought in WW2 he was an Indian Sikh stationed in Madagascar as apart of the British Army, I was wondering if you kind people would be aware of what type of medal(s) he would of received after his time? I'm asking as I would like to have them for my wedding, I feel it would be a fitting a statement for a great man, many thanks
     
  2. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Welcome Kiran, there we be some one on this fantastic forum who will know.
    Good luck

    Lotus7.
     
  3. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Kiran
    Probably the usual medals for the British Troops of 1939/45 star - Africa Star - and 1939/ 45 Medal

    Diane will know……

    Cheers
     
  4. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    Service in the operations against Vichy France on Madagascar (May-November 1942) did not qualify for the Africa Star. It counted instead towards the qualifying period for the 1939-45 Star.

    Star awarded for 1 or more days’ service in North Africa, Malta or Egypt between 10 Jun 1940 to 12 May 1943.

    The qualifying areas for the Africa Star also include the earlier areas of conflict against the Italians in East Africa; those serving in Abyssinia, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya or Somaliland between certain other specified dates will also qualify.

    Naval personnel anywhere at sea in the Mediterranean or in harbour in North Africa, Malta or Egypt between the above dates will qualify. Those serving in direct support of the Eritrean and Abyssinian campaigns between certain other specified dates will also qualify.

    RAF air crew landing in or flying over an area of an Army operational command or flying over enemy occupied territory in North Africa will also qualify.
    Service with either the 1st or 8th Army in North Africa during certain specified dates will qualify for award of the ‘1st Army’ or ‘8th Army’ clasp to be worn on the ribbon of the Africa Star.

    Provided neither the 1st or 8th Army clasps have been qualified for, staff of the 18 Army Group Headquarters who served between certain specified dates under a specified General will qualify for award of the clasp ‘North Africa 1942-43’.

    So he may well have qualified for the 1939-45 Star and War Medal 1939-45 as a minimum; if he spent three years (cumulative) on non-operational war service within India between 3 Sep 39 and 3 Sep 45 he would also have qualified for the India Service Medal 1939-45 in lieu of the Defence Medal.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Service_Medal
     

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