WW2 Campaign Stars & Medals info thread

Cleaning & Care of medals

It's always worth getting advice from a few different sources and making up your own mind about whether or not to lightly clean or polish medals, and even replace medal ribbons. In all cases ribbons should be removed (carefully) before proceeding.

If in any doubt, consider leaving them as they are. Some people prefer the idea that they 'still have the fingerprints of the original owner' on them somewhere. Even collectors of medals cannot agree on what is preferable, some prefer them 'as worn' even if not in correct order of wear. However cases of verdigris for example should be attended to.

Related WW2T threads:

Cleaning medals

Medal Care

 

Wearing of medals

Recipients wear their medals on their left breast when on parade / at official ceremonies.

This is some advice from RBL regarding medals which belong to relatives during Remembrance Parades, etc. It is entirely up to the individual. I think their penultimate line on the subject is pragmatic enough.

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/medals/medal-faqs#wearing

Related WW2T threads:

Who can wear medals?

Wearing of Decorations

Wearing of family medals

 

Mounting

Medals can be mounted singly, or on a bar in groups either swing or court style. Unless you are already proficient, it's probably best to get a professional to do this for you and have the medals looking at their best.

(If medal ribbons need to be replaced due to wear and tear remember to say so should you also want to keep the original ones. Likewise also state if you prefer medals not to be polished - to keep the patina. )

Related WW2Talk threads:

Court Mounted Medals (And Medal related 'show & tell').

mounting medals

Mounting WW2 medals

Medals brooch

 

Displaying

Some people prefer to place medals in a shadowbox or similar, along with eg a photo, shoulder titles, cap badge, buttons, medal slips etc, anything relating to the individual's service.

It's down to personal choice really and what's available. (If adding to the display items which did not originally belong the the person in question do consider placing this information somewhere, even on the back. It avoids confusing subsequent generations etc as to what was a personal item and what was not.)

Related WW2T threads:

Putting my granda's medals into a frame some tips please

Medal help

 

Replacing lost medals

There are a couple of ways to go about this, again up to the individual.

Some companies produce replica medals and they can be readily found for sale on the internet.

However, the alternative is to buy original WW2 campaign medals. Since these were generally not named to any individual - engraved with name etc on rim or reverse - original items can be bought, usually for less than the replicas, and easily substituted for medals which have been lost or misplaced over the years.

Related ww2Talk threads

Medals and Badges

 

The Medal Office can be contacted via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/the-ministry-of-defence-medal-office

This link has applications forms for various circumstances.
https://www.gov.uk/the-ministry-of-defence-medal-office#how-to-claim-medals


The FAQs should be read before contacting the office, as most of the more common enquiries are covered.
eg
For previously unissued medals The Medal Office will process applications by veterans and by Next-of-Kin. NOK is considered on a strict linear basis, for example surviving spouse, then eldest child ... and so on.

Replacement medals will only be considered under specific circumstances. They will not replace medals if the originals were simply lost.

 

Examples of medal groups with background, shared by members of the forum, can be found with the link below.

WW2 Medal racks

 

Threads which might be of further interest, ref -


medal entitlement in respect of New Zealand service personnel
Medal Entitlement?

 

Thanks Ron,
Title edited - I hope I've finished.

Anyone feel free to correct any errors, set right any omissions, make suggestions about links etc etc, post illustrations or tips, add whatever you think would be helpful.