This medal, from the Netherlands, was issued with a range of bars depending on the recipients theatre of service. I have quite a few of these now and I picked this one up because it had the Oorlogsvluchten bar (War Flights).
Archive for the Medals Category
The War Commemorative Cross with Oost-Azië/Zuid-Pacific 1942-1945 Bar, Oorlogsvluchten 1940-1945 Bar and Nederlandsch Indië 1941-1942 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on August 24, 2015 by The DudeAnother WW1 Birchall in the Merchant Navy
Posted in Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Merchant Marine, United Kingdom, WW1 on May 3, 2015 by The Dude
This is a pretty humble medal that has had a hard life. This is the WW1 British War Medal, impressed to Frederick W. Birchall. Because of the lack of a unit or service number I suspected this was a merchant seaman award. 10 minutes on the British Archives and here he is. Frederick was born in 1871 in Liverpool and would therefore have been 43 when war broke out. His medals were forwarded to the Merchant Marine Office in Canning Place, Liverpool. He was also awarded the Merchantile War Medal, since lost to time. The War Medal here has the neck of its suspender broken as well as bad edge knocking and bruising. It probably sat in someones junk drawer for a few decades.
A Birchall in Heavy Bombers for the RCAF
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Canada, Family Groups and Singles, Night Bomber Offensive, WW2 on March 1, 2015 by The Dude
This medal is a GVI Canadian Efficiency Decoration awarded to Wing Commander Kenneth Birchall (C1592). Ken was born in Ottawa on the 17th of March 1916. He attended the technical school in Ottawa and went on to become a Pilot-Sergeant in the RCAF, later enlisting in 1939 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
The Ottawa Journal records his promotion to Flying Officer (Temporary) in January 1940. He went on to complete two tours in bombers over France and Germany and then returned to Canada. He served as the Chief Instructor at No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank in Manitoba. In the 14 June 1945 London Gazette he was gazetted for the Air Force Cross (AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945). Ken had completed 1,502 hours flying as of date of award. The award was presented 1 April 1949.
The blurb for the award is as follows…
“Wing Commander Birchall, during the period of his employment as chief instructor at No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School, has produced outstanding results in training efficiency. Through devotion to duty and untiring effort he contributed in great measure to raising and maintaining the efficiency and morale of this station at a very high level. His service has been outstanding for the past five years and during that period he has made a valuable contribution to the prosecution of the war.”
Aside from the missing AFC, Ken would also be entitled to the Victory Medal, the 1939-45 Star, the Air Crew Europe Star, the Defence Medal and the CVSM with Overseas Bar.
Dunkirk Commemorative Medal 2nd Example
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals, 1945 + Medals with tags Dunkirk, Fall of France, France, WW2 on June 3, 2014 by The Dude
This is a 1960 commemorative medal, issued through the Dunkirk Veterans Association (now disbanded) and subsequently managed by the French National Association of Veterans of the Fortified Sector of Flanders and of Dunkirk. This is my second example and I like it better because, surprisingly, I think the other one is an accursed fake! This one has much better quality characteristics.
An Bonn Seirbhise Eigeandala Variant 2
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Ireland, WW2 on June 3, 2014 by The Dude
This is the Emergency Service Medal 1939-1946 issued by the Republic of Ireland. For service with good conduct between 3 September 1939 and 31 March 1946 this medal came in eleven variations depending on the unit or branch of service. I have four of these, this one is for AN CAOMNAORI AITIULA : the Local Security Forces.
A Birchall Lost in the Battle Over Berlin
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Battle of Berlin, Family Groups and Singles, Night Bomber Offensive, RAF, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 18, 2014 by The DudeThis small group belongs to 1076673 Eric Birchall, Sergeant, RAFVR. Eric flew on Lancasters of 44 Squadron and was killed in action on December 24th 1943. Eric was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. He trained in 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit and was posted to 44 Squadron on 12th August 1943. He flew 13 sorties including two to Berlin, two to Hannover and one to Munich. On his 14th sortie, again to Berlin, he was part of group of 379 aircraft, mainly Lancasters. They took off at 0034hrs on the 24th and had a troublefree outer leg due to bad weather. His aircraft was en route home to Dunholme Lodge when it was attacked by a night fighter at 0315 hours and set on fire. It was observed to crash 30 miles NE of Limburg. The entire crew was killed. Eric is buried in the Hannover War Cemetery along with the rest of his crew.
A Birchall from the East Lancashire Regiment
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on December 23, 2013 by The DudeHere’s another very ordinary Birchall. In this case it’s Albert Birchall, Private, 38249. He served originally in the East Lancashire Regiment and later in the North Lancashire Regiment. His medal card shows an entry for the Silver Wound Badge.
A WW1 Single to a Birchall from the South Lancashire Regiment
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on December 1, 2013 by The DudeHere’s a lonely single to Private Jonathan J. Birchall of the South Lancashire Regiment (No 39159). John Joseph Birchall was born in Salford in 1885 and appears in the 1911 census as single, living with his Mum Elizabeth and working as a general labourer. The census has their address as 16 Anderson St, Salford. This house and street no longer exist as they were flattened during the Blitz in WW2 and never rebuilt.
Death Penny for a Birchall killed in the 1st Battle of Ypres
Posted in Family Groups & Singles, Plaques, Table Medals & Awards with tags United Kingdom, WW1 on September 12, 2013 by The DudeThis memorial plaque (also called a Dead Man’s Penny) commemorates the death of Private Alfred William Burchell 8121. Alfred, born in Tottenham, London, was a member of 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was killed on the 17th of November 1914 during the last stages of the 1st Battle for Ypres in Belgium. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the 47th panel of the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. Also shown is the original wax cardboard sleeve these plaques were shipped in.
A Birchall on the Battleship Valiant in the Mediterranean
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Cape Matapan, Crete, Family Groups and Singles, Greece, Greek Campaign, Mediterranean Campaign, Royal Navy, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 14, 2013 by The DudeThis group belongs to Thomas William Burchell. They are unnamed except for the Naval LSGC which is impressed to D/J109394 Petty Officer T.W.Burchell, H.M.S. Valiant. The LSGC was issued on June 12th 1941. I have his papers up until 1929 and can see that when he was made P.O. in May 1941 he was on the Valiant. In this case he would have had an action packed war with convoy runs to Gibraltar, the defeat of the Italian Fleet at Cape Matapan and the Greek Campaign.
A Palestine NGSM to a Birchall
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Israel, Palestine, Royal Navy, United Kingdom on August 12, 2013 by The DudeThis Naval General Service Medal, impressed to C/JX 155864 E.Burchell A/B R.N. has the 1945-1948 Palestine Bar. Most of the naval personnel involved in this brush fire war were offshore patrol craft crews attempting to interdict arms and illegal immigrant traffic into what was still the British Mandate territory of Palestine.
The Arctic Star Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Fakes & Replicas with tags Arctic Convoys, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 10, 2013 by The DudeThis is an example of the newly issued Arctic Star.
The Arctic Star is a campaign medal of the United Kingdom, awarded for service in World War II. The medal is awarded for any length of service above the Arctic Circle by members of the British Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy. The Arctic Star is a retrospective award, coming nearly seventy years after the end of World War II, being announced in late 2012. The Arctic Star was formally approved by The Queen, and began production in early 2013. There are not many of these out there yet as so few have been issued. Those that are sold through are generally part of a group. This is a reproduction made by a Birmingham company. The indicators are the large ribbon ring as well as the way the VI do not intersect with the raised ring.
A Pre-War Birchall in the RFA
Posted in 1901-1913 Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Territorials on August 6, 2013 by The DudeThis single is the Territorial Efficiency Medal (EVII). It was awarded on the 1st of July 1909 to 63 Serjeant T. Birchall, of the 4/W.Lancashire Regiment Howitzer Battery, RFA.
The Trans-Jordan War Service Medal Miniature
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Jordan, Miniature, Palestine, Trans-Jordan, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The Dude
This is the miniature medal matching the full size one listed elsewhere here, from the Principality of Transjordan, and issued to all citizens of the mandate who served in WW2. Trans-Jordan later became the Kingdom of Jordan. It’s Arabic name is “Midalat al-Zarari al-Herb al-Iradani Lasanat 1939-1945“.
Australian 1939-1945 War Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Australia, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The Dude
The Australia Service Medal 1939–45 recognises service by Australia’s armed forces, Mercantile Marine and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
Initially, the qualifying period was those members who served overseas for at least 18 months full-time service or three years’ part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. On 16 August 1996, the qualifying period was reduced to 30 days for full-time service and 90 days for part-time service.
My one is named to Q191735 E.E.G. Finlay. Staff Sergeant Eric Edward George Finlay died on the 15th of March, 1942, aged 29, while serving in the Australian Army, 4 Supply Company AASC. His place of death is recorded as Australia, but a bit more googling reveals more. Eric was the son of Albert Edward and Elizabeth Marie Finlay, of Bardon, Queensland; Husband of Barbara Mary Finlay, of Bardon, Queensland. His grave is in Adelaide River War Cemetery in the Northern Territory. In this cemetery are buried the men who died building the “track” to Darwin during WW2. His death notices, placed by his wife and other family in the Brisbane Courier Mail on the 15th of March 1942, describe him dying in a “burning accident” at Mount Isa. How awful.
The Italy Star
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Italian Campaign, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeThis is my Italy Star. The Italy Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.
The medal was awarded for operational service (on land) in Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Pantelleria, the Aegean area and Dodecanese Islands, and Elba at any time between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945. Other areas to qualify for the award are:
- Sicily – between 11 June 1943 – 17 August 1943
- Sardinia – between 11 June 1943 – 19 September 1943
- Corsica – between 11 June 1943 – 4 October 1943
Bahawalpur 1939-1945 Overseas Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Bahalwapur, Pakistan, Princely States, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The Dude
In 1945 Bahawalpur, while part of the administration of British India, was still nominally independent, run by its Maharajah. In consequence it was never a British possession. After Independence in 1947-48 it became part of Pakistan. It’s rulers produced this Overseas Service Medal medal in 1945.
The Burma Star
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Burma, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeThe Burma Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.
The medal was awarded for service in the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. This medal was also awarded for certain specified service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra:
- Hong Kong – between 26 December 1941 and 2 September 1945
- China and Malaya – between 16 February 1942 and 2 September 1945
- Sumatra – between 24 March 1942 and 2 September 1945
- Second World War service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra after 8 December 1941 but prior to the above start dates was recognised by the award of the Pacific Star.
British uniform regulations stipulated that the Pacific Star would not be awarded to a prior recipient of the Burma Star. Subsequent entitlement to the Pacific Star was denoted by the award of the Pacific clasp.
Bahawalpur Victory Medal 1945
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Pakistan, United Kingdom, Victory 1945, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeIn 1945 Bahawalpur, while part of the administration of British India, was still nominally independent, run by its Maharajah. In consequence it was never a British possession. After Independence in 1947-48 it became part of Pakistan. It’s rulers produced this Victory medal in 1945.
The Africa Star
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags North Africa, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeThe Africa Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.
The Star was awarded for a minimum one day service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943.
The whole of the area between the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar is included, together with Malta, Abyssinia, Kenya, Sudan, The Solmalilands and Eritrea. The areas not bordering the Mediterranean only qualified for the Africa Star from 10 June 1940 to 27 November 1941.
Members of the Australian Imperial Force qualified for the Star for service in Syria from 8 June 1941 and 11 July 1941.
This example has no bar.
The Kings Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom
Posted in Rare Medals, Valour Medals with tags Evaders, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeThe Kings Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom. This medal was issued to foreigners who put themselves in harms way assisting the Allied cause. Examples would be helping run one of the escape and evasion networks getting Allied airmen out of Occupied Europe. Approximately 3200 of these medals were awarded from 1947. I have two of them, the other one here has its case.
The Kings Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeThis, along with the companion for courage, is one of my favourite WW2 medals.
From Wikipedia, “The King’s Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom is a British medal instituted by the The Sovereign, on 23 August 1945. Its was to recognize civilian foreign nationals, mainly of allied countries, who had given meritorious service to further the interests of the British Commonwealth or the Allied cause during World War II. The medal was awarded 2,539 times. Those who helped British military personnel to escape the enemy and escape from occupied areas or for other dangerous work for the British or Allied cause during the war were eligible for the King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom.”
Air Crew Europe Star
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Bomber Offensive, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 1, 2013 by The DudeThe Air Crew Europe Star is one of the rarest of the Commonwealth WW2 Service Stars. As a consequence it is valuable and heavily faked.
I have two here, one original and one reproduction. In this case the only way to really tell one from the other is that the cypher of King George in the center is slightly rotated in the fake so that the bottom of the V is lined up with the center of the W in crew instead of with the left hand leg of the W. If you look at the right hand foot of the W on the repro, you can see that it doesn’t align with the spine of the lower star point as it should.
And finally, repros usually age to a mid brown colour. The originals retain some colour and age to a red-brown patina, rather like a penny.
Original at left, Repro at right
Reproduction
Original
A Birchall Killed In The 1918 German Spring Offensive
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags United Kingdom, WW1 on July 27, 2013 by The Dude
This is a late Great War pair to 202339, Frederick C. Birchall of 6th Battalion, The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. Frederick was killed on the 30th of March 1918, during Germany’s last throw Spring Offensive. He is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery, Extension #1.
A Birchall Casualty from the Gloucestershire Regiment
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags United Kingdom, WW1 on June 29, 2013 by The DudeWilliam Birchall, the son of William and Jessie Birchall and the husband of Alice was from Bradley Green, Whitchurch, Salop. he enlisted in Chester. He was a private, 34582, in C Company, 13th Bn, The Gloucesters when he died of wounds (gun shot wound to the abdomen) on the 31st of March, 1918, aged 32. The cemetery he is buried in, Namps-Au-Val was used by the 41st, 50th and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations when they operated here during the German Picardy Offensive of March 1918.
Kiwi Medals 