This is a pretty cool looking medal and a pretty rare one. It is the East Asia Star, awarded for those involved in the resistance against the Japanese occupation in the Dutch East Indies from 1942 to 1945.
Archive for the 1939-1945 Service Medals Category
The Resistance Star, East Asia, 1942-45
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThe War Commemorative Cross with Oorlogsdienst Visserij 1940-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Oorlogsdienst Visserij 1940-1945 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Krijg Te Land 1940-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Krijg Te Land 1940-1945 bar. Note the unusual mounting of this medal compared to my other examples below.
The Air Defence Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is a pretty little medal, created by the Dutch version of the ARP or RLB to reward good service in air raid protection between 1940 and 1945. One of my favourites, the image on the front is of a woman shielding children from overhead aircraft.
The Mobilization War Cross
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is the Dutch Mobilization War Cross. It was awarded to all those who served during the mobilization of 1939-1940 but were not entitled to the War Commemorative Cross.
The War Commemorative Cross
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is without a bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Krijg Te Land 1940-1945 Bar & Normandië 1944 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Krijg Te Land 1940-1945 bar & Normandië 1944 bar. It also has the ribbon bar with two stars indicating two bars awarded.
The War Commemorative Cross with Krijg Ter Zee 1940-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Krijg Ter Zee 1940-1945 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Nederland Mei 1940 Bar Number 2
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Nederland Mei 1940 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Oorlogsdienst Visserij 1940-1945 Bar, Middelandse Zee 1940-1945 Bar & Oost-Azië/Zuid-Pacific 1942-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Oorlogsdienst Visserij 1940-1945 bar, Middelandse Zee 1940-1945 bar & Oost-Azië/Zuid-Pacific 1942-1945 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Arnhem-Nijmegen-Walcheren 1944 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Arnhem-Nijmegen-Walcheren 1944 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Nederland Mei 1940 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Nederland Mei 1940 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Nederlandsch Indië 1941-1942 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Holland, Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Nederlandsch Indië 1941-1942 bar.
KRIJG TER ZEE 1940-1945 (War at Sea)
OORLOGSVLUCHTEN 1940-1945 (War Flights)
OORLOGSDIENST KOOPVAARDIJ / 1940-1945 (War Service, Merchant Navy)
OORLOGSDIENST VISSERIJ / 1940-1945 (War Service, Fishery)
KRIJG TE LAND 1940-1945 (War on Land)
The special actions bars are :
NEDERLAND MEI 1940
NEDERLANDSCH INDIË / 1941-1942 (Dutch East-India, now Indonesia), also found as NEDERLANDS-INDIË / 1941-1942
JAVAZEE 1941-1942
NOORD AFRIKA – ITALIË 1941-1942, changed on 6 January 1948 to MIDDELANDSE ZEE / 1940-1945
ARNHEM – NIJMEGEN / WALCHEREN 1944
NORMANDIË 1944
OOST-AZIË – ZUID-PACIFIC / 1942-1945
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Allemagne Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The Dude
This is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Allemagne” for all regular forces involved in the German Campaign of 1944-1945.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with France Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “France” for all regular forces involved in the French Campaign of 1944.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Norvege Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Norvege” for forces involved in the abortive Norway Campaign of April 1940.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Italie Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Italie” for French forces who took part in the Italian campaign of 1943-1945.
Evaders Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Camp System, France, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeThis is the French Evader’s Medal. Given to those who fled their labour conscription in Germany.
A Birchall Casualty from El Alamein
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags El Alamein, Family Groups and Singles, North Africa, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 22, 2013 by The Dude
This is an unmarked group but I received it with a packet of papers indicating it belonged to Signalman John J. Birchall, killed at El Alamein in Egypt on the 23rd of November 1942. John’s number was 2367713 and he belonged to 1st Armoured Brigade Signals, Royal Corps of Signals at the time of his death. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Birchall of St. Helens, Lancashire.
The final photo is of the El Alamein War Cemetery where John is buried.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Defence Passive Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Defence Passive” for regular resistance fighters.
Medal Packets for Commonwealth WW2 Campaign Medals
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Paper with tags Cases & Award Packets, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis illustrates the variety of packets that the Commonwealth campaign medals were distributed in.
Newfoundland Volunteer Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Canada, Newfoundland, WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeIn 1949 Newfoundland joined the Confederation of Canada. In 1981 the Government decided to create and award this medal to the servicemen of Newfoundland who served overseas and did not receive a service medal from any other country. They were not eligible for the Canadian medal since they were not a part of Canada during WW2. This is mine, one of 800 issued. I have one original and one reproduction.
Award Case for The Kings Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Cases & Award Packets, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeThis case is for the woman’s issue of the Kings Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom. My medal is a men’s issue so it won’t fit this case. If anyone is looking for one of these then ping me. 
A Birchall Wartime Red Cross Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Red Cross, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 20, 2013 by The DudeThis British Red Cross Proficiency Medal was issued to a Mrs. F. Birchall in 1940. I can’t make out the full name on the certificate because it is smudged. So it goes.
Denmark Pro Dania 1945 Medal with Case
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Denmark, Mosquito, RAF, WW2 on April 16, 2013 by The Dude
This medal was instituted on 5 May 1946 and bestowed on some 3,100 persons who had rendered special services to Denmark during the German occupation. This particular example is marked to the surname Reynolds on the inside of the case. When I look this up in the Danish “Hof-og Statskalender” the only Reynolds awarded this medal is Squadron Leader Reggie Reynolds CO of 139 Squadron RAF flying Mosquitos.
Flying with his long time navigator Sismore on October 31 1944 Reynolds led a force of 24 Mosquitos in a raid on the Gestapo headquarters lodged in the buildings of Aarhus University in Denmark. The surprise attack, in misty weather, was delivered from low level and was a complete success. The head of the SS was killed, one of his officers writing: “A terrible disaster happened when our HQ was shot up by English airmen.” For their outstanding leadership, both Reynolds and Sismore received a Bar to their DFCs.
First up a photo of Sismore (left) and Reynolds (right) in front of a Mosquito aircraft.
Kiwi Medals 