just started my research

have been in contact with my mother and we have identified 4 of my grandad's medals. italy, africa and 39-45 stars. he also has the war and defence medals. we think he served with the pioneer corps. he didn't talk about it so have no more info. we have a ribbon but no medal which is coloured red white black white red. any ideas, plus any tips for further research.

apologies for lack of info, and please bear with me i am a noob!!!

 

Clown,

I am assuming from your UK address that your grand dad was in the British army during the war? If so, his service records are your first and best bet:

http://www.ww2f.com/military-servic...arch/36895-requesting-uk-service-records.html

Your mom will be able to apply for these records and all his medals and date he earned them will be listed.

Good luck

 

thanks bud, looks like this is gonna be a bit more complicated than first imagined. yes grandad was in the british army. my mother is adopted and my grandad was very reluctant to talk about the war so we have very little clue as to service start and end dates. i will try and contact my uncle who may have his service number. thanks for the reply alieneyes.

 

any info as to the ribbon would maybe of help???

 

unfortunately not, it's with my parents, who live in bulgaria, and are technologically unsound! just a ribbon, red white black white red????

 

British Ribbon List

Can you tell if it is any on the list, there is a lot on that site, but i dont know much about british medals and what is missing from that list of ribbons.

 

from my mother:

hopefully this may help??!!

 

ribbon 1



ribbon 2



excuse my rubbish paint skills

my mam says the first is about right but the second the red and white stripes are a bit narrower. hth.

 

bottom looks A lot like

German War Merit Cross, but i am unsure if they made a ribbon bar like the us had, i am unfamiliar with german medals, ribbons




best picture i could find, could this be it, but you dont have the swords pin attachment on it?

 

had come accross images of this when looking, just wondered why my grandad would have it? souvenir?

 

yea possibly taken it from a deceased soldier, or could have bought it, traded for it etc.

but im thinking thats what it is.

 

according to wiki, it was awarded without swords to non combatants and civilians. interesting.

 

it could have been a gift to him, or he found it. it's nice though

 

my mother visited last month and gave me his medals and ribbons. the ribbon in question is exactly the same as that of the german war merit cross. all of the other ribbons have the same feel of silkiness, whereas the one in question feels rougher and the ends look as though they have been cut with pinking sheers (zigzag edged) the british ones end flat.

have also got his service no and have been in contact with a pioneer corps forum and they have given me details of his base, where he enlisted and the dates of his service. will now give these to my mother who can make a request for his service record.

thanks guys.