ARCTIC MEDAL

[1stTankie]

My father had:

1. The 1939-45 Star

2. The Atlantic Star

3. The Africa Star with clasp North Africa 42-43

4. The Pacific Star

5. The Italy Star


His brother, my Godfather, had:

1.The 1939-45 Star

2.The Africa Star

3.The Burma Star

6.The France and Germany Star ( Beach Master on D-day)

Both served in the Royal Navy

I have applied for The Arctic Star on behalf of my father, PQ 18 - QP 14, HMS Tartar.

Gordon

[Mike_2817]

There you go, this new medal can beach the 5 star rule!

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by geezer#199

Does anyone know the criteria required to receive this Medal, I have googled it but other then the announcement and what they went through, I have not seen anything that says the criteria.

Jack

Criteria & application forms here:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/arctic_star_index.htm

[Old Smelly]

Quiz for today: My Uncles medals include the Atlantic Star....he was Somerset LI?

Lee

[Peter Brydon]

Army and Air Force personnel who served with the Navy or Merchant Navy qualified in the same way as members of the service with which they served.

Is this how he qualified ?

P.B.

[Phillip Herring]

Originally Posted by Old Smelly

Quiz for today: My Uncles medals include the Atlantic Star....he was Somerset LI?

Lee

Anti-Aircraft gunner on a ship?

Phil

[1stTankie]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

There you go, this new medal can beach the 5 star rule!

Mike

Not necessarily; we'll have to wait and see.

Gordon

[Old Smelly]

Originally Posted by 8thfoot

Army and Air Force personnel who served with the Navy or Merchant Navy qualified in the same way as members of the service with which they served.

Is this how he qualified ?

P.B.

PB and Phil
Close. He was with 2nd Battalion in Gibraltar and got put on a detail escorting Afrika Korps PoWs to the USA?!? He later served in Italy.
Lee

[geezer#199]

Mike

Thanks for the info, I will pass it on to my friend.

Another question, if this Medal open to all Vets of the Commonwealth Countries or just Vets from England?

Jack

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by geezer#199

Mike

Thanks for the info, I will pass it on to my friend.

Another question, if this Medal open to all Vets of the Commonwealth Countries or just Vets from England?

Jack

I only know what it says in the notes:

Arctic Star

The Arctic Star is granted for operational service of any length north of the Arctic Circle (66 degrees, 32’N) from the 3rd September, 1939, to the 8th May, 1945, inclusive. The Arctic Star is intended to commemorate the Arctic Convoys and is designed primarily for the ships of the convoys to North Russia and their Escorts. Eligibility is defined as follows:

• Navy and Merchant Navy – Naval and Merchant Navy service anywhere at sea north of the Arctic Circle to include, but not limited exclusively to, those ships participating in, and in support of, Convoys to North Russia. Fleet Air Arm Personnel, not qualified by sea service may qualify under the conditions applying to the Royal Air Force.

• Air Force – Aircrew of the Royal Air Force will be eligible if they landed north of the Arctic Circle or served in the air over this area. Non aircrew on operational service in the area, for example ground crew or those sailing with CAM ships (Catapult Aircraft Merchant Ships), are also eligible.

• Army – Army personnel serving in His Majesty’s ships or in defensively equipped Merchant ships qualify under the rules applying to the Navy or Merchant Navy. In addition, personnel taking part in land operations north of the Arctic Circle will also be eligible.

• Civilians serving with the Forces – Members of the few approved categories of civilians who qualify for Campaign Stars will be eligible if, in support of military operations, they meet any of the above qualifying criteria.

• Foreign nationals commissioned or enlisted into British or, the then, Dominion Forces (e.g. Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy) are eligible provided the individuals did not receive a similar award from their own Government.

• General – Eligibility to the Arctic Star has no effect upon eligibility for World War Two recognition previously awarded and does not suggest automatic eligibility for any further awards.

[Old Smelly]

Originally Posted by geezer#199

Mike

Thanks for the info, I will pass it on to my friend.

Another question, if this Medal open to all Vets of the Commonwealth Countries or just Vets from England?

Jack

..and also Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Lee

[altcar73]

Originally Posted by Pylon1357

Not that my opinion means much at all to anyone but myself.... I am a bit bothered by this latest Star. Not that I don't think those who are entitled to deserve something, however, it is 65 years too late, and in my mind, rather pointless.

The king limited the number of Stars and medals created, now the current government has ignored his ruling and wishes.

I am really mixed about this one. Too many issues are raised in my mind that are going to go unanswered.

"The King limited the number of Stars and medals created, now the current Government has ignored his ruling and wishes".

All new awards of medals, decorations etc. plus amendments to previous Royal Warrants touching upon such awards made in the past are approved by the Sovereign. That is exactly what has happened in this case. The wishes of previous King's and Queen's can be changed, and anulled by successive Monarchs and this has always been so down through the ages.

Dave.

[Unknownsoldier]

Actually, despite sharing the design of the previous stars it appears these stars are a completely seperate entity.... as per: "General – Eligibility to the Arctic Star has no effect upon eligibility for World War Two recognition previously awarded and does not suggest automatic eligibility for any further awards. "

Tom