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.
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 “France” for all regular forces involved in the French Campaign of 1944.
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 “Norvege” for forces involved in the abortive Norway Campaign of April 1940.
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 “Italie” for French forces who took part in the Italian campaign of 1943-1945.
This is the War Cross issued by France prior to it’s defeat by Germany in 1940.
This is the French Evader’s Medal. Given to those who fled their labour conscription in Germany.
This is the War Cross for 1939-1940 from the Vichy Government of France.
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.
This is a group for the 1st Iraq War with a Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and a Gulf Medal with a bar for 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991. The medal is impressed to 24792731 LCpl A.J.Birchall R. Signals.
This is a EIIR GSM with a Malaya Bar marked to 22670124 A.Birchall R.A.M.C.
Awarded to anyone who sailed through one of the “war zones” in World War One, this medal is named to Frederick J. Birchall. Frederick James Birchall came from Liverpool.
This Wound Badge in Silver is marked L22 for Glaser & Söhne of Dresden.
This is the WW1 group for Benjamin Lawrence Birchall, who died of wounds at the 37th Casualty Clearing Station at Avesnes-le-Comte on the 11th of May, 1917. He was a Gunner for the Royal Field Artillery and was in the 17th Division Ammunition Column at the time of his wounding. Each medal is stamped 76646 L.Birchall RA.
He was the son of Benjamin R. Birchall and Elizabeth A. Birchall of Drummany, Sterlogan Park, Blackrock, Dublin. His death penny is named Lawrence Birchall.
The final photo is of the Avesnes-le-Comte Communal Extension Cematary where he is buried.
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 “Defence Passive” for regular resistance fighters.
This illustrates the variety of packets that the Commonwealth campaign medals were distributed in.
These badges are tough to find. There are a ton of fakes out there. The only helpful thing is that the fakes are made from various metals whereas the originals were made exclusively from a really light zinc alloy. Basically if you hold it and you can feel the weight, it’s a fake. There are some examples of common fakes here.
This watch, by West End Watch Company, is a “Silidar” model, near the top end. It has an enamel face which dates it to prior to WW2. The watch case is the classic trench watch type, raised.
In 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.
Yeah, it’s a 10 Reichspfennig aluminium coin. Someone stuck it in my Christmas card one year.
This 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. 
This 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.
This is the box used to market the Arnold clockwork tin toy submarine similar to the one pictured above. The only difference between this toy and the 1938 model is that this one has a white star on the conning tower in place of the swastika on the earlier toy. This carton is in overall good condition with some cardboard loss on one of the ends.
This tank is marketed as a “Sparkling Tank” although I can’t work out what that would refer to. It is clockwork and the mechanism still works although it’s a bit sluggish. As the tank moves along the commanders head pops up and down through the turret hatch. Cheesey.
An Egypt Medal with the Tel-El-Kebir bar along with the Khedive’s Medal, awarded to 2301 Pte. P Birchall 7/Dragoon Guards. It says on the medal roll for the Egypt medal that he was serving with the depot. However the Khedive roll has him with the regiment. The Chelsea Hospital records show him discharged from hospital without pension in April, 1884.
Okay, this is a small family group but interesting. The 1939-45 Victory Medal means he was enlisted in 1945 but missed being deployed to any of the war zones. The Palestine Bar on the GSM means he deployed to Palestine during the emergency there between 1945 and 1948. The medal group is named to 1445860 Gnr W.Birchall R.A. The medal roll below indicates he was attached to 66th Battery, Airborne Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.
