WAR MEDALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27345, 22 March 1950, Page 6

WAR MEDALS

Application Forms DEMAND SLACKENING After a brisk demand for application forms for war medals last Tuesday, when the forms were made available, the number of former servicemen and women obtaining the forms has fallen progressively, and it is likely that only about 1000 of the estimated 12,000 exservicemen and home guardsmen entitled to medals have applied for them. According to post office records, 400 forms were issued last Tuesday, 200 on Wednesday and 150 on Thursday. Eleven different medals are being issued. They are the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star, the Pacific Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal, 1939-45, the War Service Medal, the Atlantic Star, the Aircrew Europe Star, the Burma Star and the Oak Leaf Emblem, which will be worn on the ribbon of the War Medal, 1939-45 by servicemen who were mentioned in despatches. In addition naval prize money is being paid.

- If a former serviceman qualifies for two stars, only the star first earned is awarded, and the other is denoted by a clasp. The clasp of the Africa Star, which denotes service with the Eighth Army, and the clasp to the 1939-45 Star, which is being issued to the aircrew;, of fighter aircraft in the Battle of Britain, however, are separate awards.

The maximum number of medals any man could earn is eight, but it is most unlikely that the average soldier could be awarded more than about four

There is no possible chance of a former serviceman obtaining more medals than he is entitled to. At Base Records each medal is checked against the entitlement form, and details of the medals to which each former serviceman may lay claim have been previously entered on his individual history sheet. Since last Tuesday, about 60 staff members at Base Records have been checking applications and sending medals out by registered mail. Each set of medals is accompanied by a description of each one and details of the order in which it should be worn, together with a statement saying: “ The Minister of Defence has pleasure in presenting the enclosed awards with the. compliments of the Prime Minister and the New Zealand Government, and in sincere appreciation of loyal service rendered during the war of 1939-45.”

Where a soldier has applied for a medal to which he is not entitled, a slip notifying him of this is put in the envelope.