world war 2

[sasserina]

Can anybody tell me please if an ex prisoner of war in 1945 should have paid 2 pound and ten shilling (as it was) for his Africa Star medal...because that was my grandad and he was. He won the medal but was made to 'pay' for it....

[Wop/tpo]

Your grandfather would have been entitled to more campaign medals, but it seems strange if he had to pay for any of them.

[Peter Pedant]

I am surprised he had to pay
perhaps he lost one and replaced it ?

Presumably he was caught in North Africa ?

According to a service man who knows everything, The Africa Star is usually one of group of five
Africa Star, Italy Star, War Medal and Defence Medal and a fifth
Presumably if he was a POW then this progression was interrupted.

IN a pickle - you spring chicken you !

[sasserina]

Guys! Thankyou for your answers, I really do appreciate it. My grandad ( Harry) was POW for 3 years in Graz, Austria, after his release he enquired about the medal and was told he had to pay! madness hey!!! He did pay and got the medal.Thanks again guys.

[4GS]

No, he earned his medals so he should NOT have been made to pay for them (he already paid for them by being in the 'areaof operations'.
I was told by thr M.O.D that if I lost my medals, I would be entitled to one free replacement, if I lost them again I would be required to pay for the replacements, in fact the only times I've had to pay for medals was for 'miniture medals' which are worn on 'Mess Dress' and not an entitlement from the public fund

[Cassiopier]

If you are asking an oppinion absolutely not, that was disgraceful.

Cassie