My late Grand father was a WW2 AFS/NFS firefighter from the outset to conclusion. His medals were never claimed. I have since as his NOK succesfully claimed his Defence Medal on his behalf. I may be wrong here but I also feel he may have been entitled to the War Medal also! He also served in the Overseas Collums until fully trained by the military. Prior to D Day, his collum was stood down and he reverted back to his previous NFS detachment. The Defence medal office has informed me that before I can start the journey of the possible award of the War Medal, if entitled, I must be able to supply hard evidence that he did indeed serve within one of the Overseas Collums. I have family photographs which confirm this as per recognising him but I have no text confirming information whatsoever. Can anyone confirm his full possible medal entitlement with constructive advice please? Thank you. Chris
Hello Chris, In case you do not already have them, here are the regulations concerning the War Medal 1939-'45; NZDF - The War Medal 1939 - 45 Regulations Alas, I'm afraid I cannot offer you any more help as this particular field (AFS/NFS) is not one of which I have much knowledge, but I wish you the best of luck in your search and in your application to claim your Father's other medals. All the best, Five-Five
Hello Chris have a look at the links below WW2 Fire Brigades Wandsworth Fire Service Old Comrades Association : London Remembers, Aiming to capture all memorials in London http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overseas-Against-Fire-Contingent-Particular/dp/0953803309 regards Clive
My late Grand father was a WW2 AFS/NFS firefighter from the outset to conclusion. His medals were never claimed. I have since as his NOK succesfully claimed his Defence Medal on his behalf. I may be wrong here but I also feel he may have been entitled to the War Medal also! He also served in the Overseas Collums until fully trained by the military. Prior to D Day, his collum was stood down and he reverted back to his previous NFS detachment. The Defence medal office has informed me that before I can start the journey of the possible award of the War Medal, if entitled, I must be able to supply hard evidence that he did indeed serve within one of the Overseas Collums. I have family photographs which confirm this as per recognising him but I have no text confirming information whatsoever. Can anyone confirm his full possible medal entitlement with constructive advice please? Thank you. Chris Chris over many years I have been researching the AFS/NFS and my understanding is - to qualify for the 1939-45 War Medal you must complete 28 days service in the armed forces. Although several overseas columns were formed and trained to an exceptionally high standard only No 4 column actually went to Europe via Tilbury in jan 1945. My understanding is that until embarkation, NFS members were at all times under NFS command and were not members of nor were they seconded to the Armed Forces. Each column had a small cadre of Army personel who acted as liason for the training and would have accompanied the column had it embarked. The military training they received was a gruelling course of physical training, learning how to operate in - and keep out of harms way in a hostile enviroment. Extended road convoy and navigation work, camoflague and concealment. I wish you luck in your quest and I do hope you are successful. TED
55, CL1 & Ted thank you for your advice and heads up. I will now digest your collective imnput and see where it takes me. Ted, your paragraph on what my Grandfather did as per his pre-D Day training was not expected. Now I understand why I have images of him wearing navy blue battledress, beret and army webbing kit rather than the normal NFS firefighters dress. This revelation now raises new interest in his war within me. I know he participated in normal firefighting duties (if that can be called normal) during the Bristol and Plymouth blitzes but the info you post never came up on my radar. Thank you.
Chris some years ago through a friend who had been a long serving fireman. I was able to go and meet a chap who served in No 4 Column which went to the continent . Firstly you had to be a volunteer, secondly you had to battle through a selection procedure. I have given a link below to a book. the author was at the time of publication the No2 in the Hants fire & rescue,he is now retired but the book is still availible: This book is all about the AFS then NFS through 1938 to 1948, hundreds of pictures with excellent narrative; some outstanding shots of the columns in training etc I think you will like this book. regards TED http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/stories.htm?newsid=57468
Hi chris, how did you go about claiming your grandads defence medal for service in the n f s.? My uncle was in the auxiliary fire service and then of course the n f s and I am his next of kin and would like to get his medal, all I have is a number on his I d disc that I found but I don't know how long he was in it for as I didnt ask him before he died, I know to be entitled to the medal you had to be in for 3 years. Best regards, steve.
Hi Steve. Please forgive me but I just found this post. :-( Re your question I am delighted to confirm that I was successful with my late Grandfather's Defence Medal claim.
Thank you Tom. Much apreciated as was his family. I also expected to hear he was entitled to the 39-45 war medal due to his NFS Overseas Column inclusion but as he did not deploy this was not to be but so long as he has the correct entitlement that is all that matters.
