This is what it is like for me trying to decipher the rules surrounding awards of the British and Commonwealth campaign stars in World War II.
Perhaps you fellows could answer some questions that I have regarding awards of these stars? I have tried to do the research, but am still in a knot over a couple of issues.
First, I understand that in order to qualify for a campaign star, that you had to spend six months of service in the theater of operations. However, I am puzzled over a couple of RAF/ RCAF medal groupings that I have.
One of these groupings lists the man's awards as the France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer medal with overseas bar. The question would be why this airman was not eligible for the 1939-45 star? There is no mention of the award and it is lacking from his ribbon group.
Second, I have a grouping to another RCAF pilot who enlisted in 1942 and was assigned to a flight school as an instructor after he himself graduated from flight training. He ended up with operational flights in India, Pakistan and Burma starting in March of 1945. His medal trio is the Defence medal, War Medal, and CVSM with overseas bar.
Any insignhts, or further sources where I can go to better understand the awards system?
Thanks,
Allan
Perhaps you fellows could answer some questions that I have regarding awards of these stars? I have tried to do the research, but am still in a knot over a couple of issues.
First, I understand that in order to qualify for a campaign star, that you had to spend six months of service in the theater of operations. However, I am puzzled over a couple of RAF/ RCAF medal groupings that I have.
One of these groupings lists the man's awards as the France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer medal with overseas bar. The question would be why this airman was not eligible for the 1939-45 star? There is no mention of the award and it is lacking from his ribbon group.
Second, I have a grouping to another RCAF pilot who enlisted in 1942 and was assigned to a flight school as an instructor after he himself graduated from flight training. He ended up with operational flights in India, Pakistan and Burma starting in March of 1945. His medal trio is the Defence medal, War Medal, and CVSM with overseas bar.
Any insignhts, or further sources where I can go to better understand the awards system?
Thanks,
Allan
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