Found out after all these years where my pops war medals are....

[tailor marc]

A few years after my pop passed away and my interest in all things WW2 i asked my nanna if she knew where my pops medals were. She couldnt remember even seeing any medals so i did a little reserch into what medals i thought he was entitled to and applied . I was expecting to get a letter saying that he was already issued them.
I thought they would be long gone.
I know he lied about his age and headed to Darwin in 1942 when the japanese were bombing and 6 months later him mum dobbed him in and he was sent back to Perth. he then rejoined the 3rd feild regiment untill after 1948
Couple pictures of my Pop...

IMG_0002 by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


My pop WW2 by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


My pop WW2 by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


IMG_0040 by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr

[tailor marc]

I get home yesterday to find an letter from the Department of defence.

I was so interested to see there findings....
Its starts off saying that he doesnt qualify for the 1939-45 star as The bombing of Darwin wasnt classed as a theater of war ( damm)
But it does say the following...

[tailor marc]

In pops last few years with us he was telling me he wished he still had his slouch hat from his days in the army. I cant understand why he never got his medals. Makes me wonder how many other familys could have unissued medals ready for there family members efforts

[tailor marc]

Australian war medal 1939-1945..

[tailor marc]

Australian service medal 1939-1945

[tailor marc]

The Australian defence medal

[zwerge]

Those are nice,good on you for applying for them.

[Wagriff]

Wow...that would, indeed, explain the mystery of where they went! They never Were! I'll assume you broke a leg getting the form back in the mail to apply for them? It will be great to finally have them "home" where they belong! Great luck!

[tailor marc]

Thanks guys, its now 8.57am forms filled out but need a justice of the peace to witness the signing of the stat deck. Will be posted by 1pm
I will also get a set of minatures

- - ------- - -

Still a bit annoyed that while the bombing of darwin went of for quite some time ( yrs) it isnt classed as a theater of war.

Apparently more bombs were dropped on Dawin than Pearl Harbour...Obviously not as devestating but still many deaths and a hardcore invasion.
Bombing of Darwin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[tailor marc]

All signed and back in the mail off to Dept of defence Canbarra!
Now the waiting game