Even in this day and age, there are still many War Medals from various past conflicts – which, for one reason or another – have not been claimed by War Veterans or their respective family.
Some even going back as far as the First World War.
In the case of the 1914 – 18 war, there are virtually no Veterans left to make a claim. But sixty years on, there are still veterans of the Second World War who – through one means or another – are discovering that they have not yet received their full entitlement.
One case at hand is that of 90 year old British War Veteran, Tommy HALL. As reported by the Newbury Weekly News on the 31st of October, 2007 – Tommy had two War Medals from his service with the Ulster Rifles. When Tommy moved house, these medals went missing and he sought the assistance of the Newbury Branch of the ‘Royal British Legion’ to help him acquire “replacement” medals.
It was then ascertained that Tommy was actaully entitled to four more service medals, bringing his tally to that of six medals in total. As the Ulster Rifles were part of the British 6th Airborne Division, Tommy no doubt found himself in the thick of it – during the Normandy Landings and the subsequent Ardennes offensive.
And now, 62 years later, the medals from these campaigns are finally finding their way back to their rightful owner.
Which brings us in modern days, to ask the question “Where did my relative serve? And did he or she receive everything that he was entitled to?”
As our servicemen and women of yesteryear fade away, many families go through the process of recording their heritage and “family tree” research often leads to a search for war medals. When these medals cannot be found, we just assume that either “someone else has been given the medals” or “they are lost; never to be recovered”.
After what has just happened to old Tommy HALL, perhaps you should start to dig a little deeper and find out as to whether or not; your relative’s war medals have actually been issued and claimed???
Every Commonwealth Country has a Government Agency that can assist you – and at least enlighten you as to whether or not – your relative’s medals have in fact been claimed.
In your search for missing war medals, at least it is somewhere to start.
For those of you who live in the United States of America, please seek advice from the following Government Agencies:-
For U.S. Navy, Marine Corps & Coast Guard Personnel seeking the issue or replacement of military service medals, write to: Navy Personnel Command Liason Office, Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
For U.S. Army Personnel, seeking the issue or replacement of military service medals, write to: National Personnel Records Centre. 9700 Page Avenue, St Louis, MO 63132-5100
For U.S. Air Force Personnel (includes Army Air Force/ Army Air Corps) , seeking the issue or replacement of military service medals, write to: National Personnel Records Centre. 9700 Page Avenue, St Louis, MO 63132-5100
For those of you who live in Great Britain, please seek advice from the following Government Agencies:-
For all branches of the Armed Services, please write to: The MoD Medal Office, Building 250 , Imjin Barracks, Gloucester GL3 1HW
For those who served in the Merchant Navy, please write to: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, MCA Cardiff, Anchor Court, Keen Road, Cardiff CF24 5JW
For those of you who live in Australia, please seek advice from the following Government Agency:-
For all branches of the Armed Services, please write to: Directorate of Honours and Awards, T-1-49 Department of Defence, Canberra ACT 2600 Telephone 1800 111 321
For those of you who live in REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA , please seek advice from the following Government Agency:-
Department of Defence. Documentation Centre Private Bag X289 Pretoria 0001 REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
I served on The General Anderson TAP 111 from the later part of 1949 to dec. 1951 and I’ve been told that I”m entitled to Korean service medals. Can you advise me how to claim them?
I was in the navy from February 1948 to December 1951. My serial # at the time was:3611245 and I enlisted in Texas. Thanks!
Hello Bob, Navy personnel should write to the “Navy Personnel Command Liason Office” situate at Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue, St Louis, MO 63132-5100
Hopefully they will be able to assist you as no doubt, your service deserves to be rewarded. I feel that the Korean Vets do not get the recognition that they should and here in Australia, I have often heard the Korean War referred to as the forgotten war. So please be aware that there are some of us out there, who have not forgotten what you men and women did for the United Nations effort. Kind regards Gary Traynor (Medals Gone Missing Administrator)
My father Leslie Joseph Hunt, aged 84, serviced in Indian during World War II. I believe he was there during Passion Dale (not sure thou) was there from 1944/45 left the army in 1947. Please can you let me know if he is entitled to medal, as he never picked one up. If he is entitled to receive a medal how do we go about sorting this out? Any assistance would be most welcome. Thank You Sheila Sprawson (Daughter)
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I am a serving member of ther British Army, married to Hayley. She has tried to find out if her Great Gradndad (WW1)has medals outstanding as well as he Mum’s dad and late father’s dad both WW2 has any outstanding medals as she wishes to make a presentation piece for Mum. I was wandering hoe to go about finding if and what was awarded to these soldiers.
Many thanks for any information
Hello Alan, Thank you for your inquiry. You can certainly make inquiries for unclaimed medals by writing away to the address on the blog (UNCLAIMED WAR MEDALS – HAVE YOU GOT YOURS?) If you scroll down to where the British flag is located, the address is adjacent to the flag (assuming that they all served in the forces raised by Great Britain) otherwise, just go off the relevant country details. A countryman of yours by the name of Robert YOUNG has just done the same and he received his father’s World War Two “Defence Medal & 1939-1945 War Medal” for his efforts. Please click on this link http://medalsgonemissing.com/military-medal-blog/
I would be most grateful if you get back to me and tell us all, how your inquiry fared? Good Luck and we will lay a poppy for you and your mates who serve, on Remembrance Day. Kind regards Gary Traynor. Medals Gone Missing Administrator.
I am asking for my grandfather who’s brother fought in the Air Force. We are aware that he was entitled to medals but died before he could collect them. Is it possible we can find them? Would mean alot to my grandfather in memory of his brother.
Hello Andrea, you can certainly make a claim for “unclaimed” war medals, but if your grandfather is alive and is the next surviving relative, then it will need to be signed off by him. Which country are you in? and which country did your relative serve?
Hi Gary,
I was wondering if you could offer me some advice.
I am chasing my grandfather’s WWII medals and have become frustrated with the various agencies continually redirecting me to other departments.
He served on a merchant ship as part of the Atlantic convoys which was sunk and he was lost at sea. While I have all the details of the ship and the fact that there is a plaque bearing his name at the Tower Hill Memorial, I just keep getting bounced around betwen the National Archives (which is very difficult to navigate through) and the British Merchant Navy areas.
I would appreciate some advice as to how I can find out what his entitlement is and if it has been claimed as my father and his siblings are all in their 70-80s now and I would really like to find the medals before they pass away.
Thanks for your aisstance.
Nick Lentakis
Brisbane, Australia
I am trying to find out if my father has any medals out there that have not been claimed. His name is Otis Davis and he served in the military for almost 30 years. He retired form the military in 1972
He died in 1995 in the VA Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. He served in the Army.