[Padre]

Without writing pages of much the same material the story is this...

The 1939 - 45 Star was originally to be the '1939 - 43 Star', and from late 1943 those entitled were issued small lengths of the ribbon to wear on their uniform, even though no medal had been issued. In May 1945 it was decided that, after some debate there should be a special Clasp to the medal for those who fought in the 'Battle of Britain', with a silver gilt rose to be worn on the ribbon only on the uniform.

In July 1945 Air Ministry Order A.741/45 was issued which stated:

‘Issues of silver-gilt rose emblems denoting a clasp to the 1939-45 Star may be made to flying personnel who flew in fighter aircraft engaged in the Battle of Britain between 10th July 1940 and 31st October 1940. Issues to be confirmed to those who operated with the under mentioned Squadrons:

Nos. 1, 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 32, 41, 43, 46, 53, 54, 56, 59, 64, 65, 66, 72, 73, 74, 79, 85, 87, 92, 141, 145, 151, 152, 213, 219, 222, 229, 234, 235, 236, 238, 242, 249, 253, 257, 264, 266, 302, 303, 310, 312, 401 (No. 1 RCAF Squadron), 501, 504, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 607, 609, 610, 611, 615 and 616.

The following details must be inserted in Line 2 of the claim form for claimants for this emblem.

A) Squadron and Station.
B) Dates of qualifying service.
C) Date of one sortie during (B) above.

C.O.s are not to admit claims for this highly prized emblem which are open to any possible doubt. The clasp is not available for personnel who flew in aircraft other than fighters, notwithstanding that they may have been engaged with the enemy during the qualifying period.’

There seems to have been some point raised after this, because in mid-1946 a new statement was issued under Air Ministry Order A.544/46, which was essentially the same as the original. It had two additions in No. 248 Squadron and the Fighter Interception Unit, but it had omitted two of the original Squadrons, Nos. 53 and 59.

Both of these Squadrons flew the Bristol Blenheim as part of Fighter Command, a multi-role aircraft, and in July 1940 both Squadrons were seconded to Coastal Command. This may be the reason they were included and then removed from the list of eligible units. However, this becomes confusing when it is realised No. 235 and No. 236 remained on the list, and they also flew the Blenheim, AND were also seconded to Coastal Command at the same time. The only other explanation may be that Nos. 235 and 236 Squadrons flew their Blenheims fitted with a gun pack as a fighter, while Nos 53 and 59 flew a mixture of fighter operations, and bomber operations (with the gun pack removed or refitted as needed.)

Over the next few years a Memorial window was installed at Westminster Abbey which had badges of units not on the official list, while some on the list were not on the memorial window. So The Air Member for Personnel instituted a further investigation, and issued a new list on 9th November 1960 (Air Ministry Order N.850/60), much like the first two, which continued to omit Nos. 53 and 59 Squadrons, but added a further five Squadrons and two Flights. To this day, despite having the same 'history' as Nos 235 and 236 Squadrons at the time, and being included in the original official list, Nos. 53 and 59 Squadrons continue to go unrecognised for the clasp, with their members ordered to remove/not wear the 'Battle of Britain' clasp.

I have poor images of the original 1945 AMO and the last 1960 AMO...