British group in a box

[Watchdog]

I just realized that the incorrect rank was engraved for Pettifar; it should be guardsman, not private. The other three medals also have pte. as his rank.
Surprised that was accepted by him, or was it done later?

At the time Pte was used by the Army overall. Guardsman (Gdsm) has become more common since and is used on current medals as are titles like RFN (Rifleman), TPR (Trooper), CFN (Craftsman) etc. For Army purposes the rank is PTE just like a CSGT (Colour Sgt) is referred to in extra-regimental documents (payslips etc) as SSGT (Staff Sgt).

Confused? You will be

Regards
Mark

[BobS]

I believe the rank of guardsman was given by King George V just after WWI, to honor the sacrifices of the Foot Guards regiments during the war.
It certainly was in use prior to WWII.

[Watchdog]

I believe the rank of guardsman was given by King George V just after WWI, to honor the sacrifices of the Foot Guards regiments during the war.
It certainly was in use prior to WWII.

Yes of course and the terms "Rifleman" and "Trooper" were used even earlier. I am referring to admin/clerical nomenclature which would result in the generic term "Private" being used. Error or not is it just as likely that of the soldier himself as the engraver. Then as today you would expect the engraver to engrave what the customer has specified.

However, as these are WWII medals they would not have been originally impressed and were engraved later so the point becomes somewhat moot.

Accepting that "Private purchase" engraving is not unusual on these medals I would be more concerned about the fact that the stars have been plated / coloured silver covering the original brass which in effect reduces them to the level of "curio" rather than original examples of the type.