2nd Polish Corps WWII medals grouping?

[vonStubben]

I don't collect British medals but thought these were interesting.

Over this past weekend I had a man bring these to me during one of my antique shows. He said they all belonged to a "Free Polish" soldier who fought with the British in WWII.

Included in the grouping is a bronze badge with a screw back device which reads POLSKI 2 KORPUS and is numbered on the back. The Rampant Lion devices have the lion holding a cog wheel with an armored arm holding a sword and there is a number 17 at the bottom within a shield (?).

A Polish man visited my booth during the course of that day and said that the polish medals which are included are indeed authentic (?), and knew what they were. The Italy Star has a MONTECASSINO device pinned to it but does not appear to be an official award as per the paper notice that was included by The War Office that was contained in the cardboard box addressed to this person. Is it indeed an authentic item?

Your help would be appreciated in giving any information you can on this grouping and if any additional pictures etc. are needed, just ask.

Regards,

Chuck

[vonStubben]

more pictures

[vonStubben]

another

[vonStubben]

the last one for now.

[David S]

Nice grouping indeed

The Monte Cassino device is called The Commemorative badge of the Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino, a Polish medal

The Monte Cassino Commemorative was awarded to all those who fought at Monte Cassino, Passo Corno, and Piedmonte between 12 and 31 May 1944, or Polish soldiers of II Corps who were wounded previously, from 27 April, on the same front and to personnel of the 1st, 161st (former 2nd), and 3rd Field Hospitals taking part in that battle

He didn't get the War Medal due to the fact he was awarded The Army Medal

[GregK]

Hi there,

Nice set. Just a couple of minor additions. The Monte Cassino device was actually used on the ribbon bar for the Monte Cassino Cross (which is missing from this lot).

With respect to the War Medal and the Army Medal it is true that if one was issued then the other was not supposed to be BUT I personally have seen and own many groupings that are to the contrary. There is no rhyme or reason as to why some were given both and others only one or the other but it happened.

As an aside I know a fellow here with the same last name as the recipient of your grouping. A distant relation perhaps. I will have to ask next time I see him.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Greg

[GregK]

Just wanted to add a few more things (should have read your entire post before posting). The one badge you show is the Polish 2nd Corps badge. It was awarded to most (but not all) members of the Polish 2nd Corps. The badges with the lion are collar badges for the 17 Lwowski Batalion Strzelcow (17th Lwow Rifle Batalion). All medals are 100% legit issue items but as I mentioned previously he most likely would have been entitled to the Monte Cassino Cross which is missing from the lot. The Cross of Merit in Bronze is quite nice as it appears to be one of the ones made in Palestine.

Again a very nice little grouping.

Cheers,
Greg

[Antoni Zawadzki]

With respect to the War Medal and the Army Medal it is true that if one was issued then the other was not supposed to be BUT I personally have seen and own many groupings that are to the contrary. There is no rhyme or reason as to why some were given both and others only one or the other but it happened.

Greg is correct in that both actual decorations should not have been issued.

A couple of documents contained in a group I recently acquired does shed some light on how both medals ended up being formally awarded. It seems to come down to lax enforcement of the regulations, and the absence of cross referencing between the Poles and the Brits.

This particular veteran was awarded the Polish Army Medal in 1947 (pictured below). In 1962 he applied to the War Office Records Center for his British decorations. The reply letters (pictured below) address the matter of the British War Medal, and specifies under what condition he was eligible. All the veteran had to do was simply send in the bottom portion of the second document and he would receive the Medal. There was evidently no cross checking by the Brits with their Polish counterparts, and the medal was issued.

And Chuck, nice little group there. Love those 17LBS collar badges!

Cheers,
Tony

[Antoni Zawadzki]

The reply letter July 1962

[Antoni Zawadzki]

Part 2 of the 1962 reply, with the lower tear off portion that was to be sent back in order to receive the British War Medal

[Antoni Zawadzki]

The ‘packing slips’ that accompanied the decorations, showing that he received his British War Medal separately.

[Antoni Zawadzki]

And what the hell, might as well brag a bit and show the grouping from whence these docs came. I acquired the lot a few weeks back. A very comprehensive set of items that span the entire career of this soldier from before WWII, through his service with the Polish 1st Armoured Division and then with several veteran’s organizations up until his passing in the mid 1990's.

[vonStubben]

Thank you all for goining in and explaining everything. This has been very interesting.

Chuck

[GregK]

Chuck,

No problems friend. Glad to be of help.

Tony,

What can I say? Stellar grouping my friend. You have every reason to show off and brag about your lot. It seems as if you have the market cornered on 1 Motorized Artillery these days. You could almost open a museum with all the great 1 PAM bits you have.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Greg

[Antoni Zawadzki]

Hi Greg,

Yeah, it’s a bit uncanny how 1st Armoured Div artillery stuff, and the 1PAM in particular, seems to have gravitated in my direction. I would be more than welcoming toward any of the other regiments that for some reason are keeping their distance! And as you know, one of my favorite 1st Armoured ‘arty’ pieces remains the BD blouse that came from none other than the formidable Kostefko collection. I remain ever thankful to you for releasing that piece!

Hope all is well with you over in Winterpeg...

Regards,
Tony