Silver War Badge

[JOE GRAY]

My father was in the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment and was severly wounded and taken prisoner in October 1914. He became an exchanged prisoner of war and ended up in Queen Alexandre Military Hospital, Mill Hill in Febuary 1916.

On his medal Card he was awarded Victory medal, British medal, 1914 Star, I have these medals.

Lower down the card it says SWB H/324 Qualifying Date 5/10/14
I also read in the Long Trail that a soldier who served in the theatre of war between Sept 1914 and Nov 1914 was entitled to an Oak Leaf to go with 14 Star

The Question is, can I apply for the latter 2 awards and would I go about it?
Also, how could I find more about where he was held as a prisoner and process of exchange?

He was operated on by German Surgeons and had a silver plate fitted into both his neck and his arm. One thing I do remember him saying was the German Doctors told him that if he had been a volunteer, they would have done nothing for him. He had joined the army in 1903 until 1907 and I assume he was called up as a reservist.

He was 7156 Pte Joseph Gray 2nd Border Regiment
I have 3 original telegrams, sent by the war office to his first wife
1 Posted as Missing, 26/10/1914
2 Taken Prisoner and
3 Severely Wounded

Joe.

[Terry Reeves]

Joe, I'm afraid you can't apply for the clasp to the 1914 star, nor the Silver War Badge. If he was entitled to the clasp, this should be annotated on the MIC "clasp and roses". the rose, more properly a rosette, was worn on the medal ribbon when not in uniform. You can however find clasps in medal dealers lists from time to time. The originals had two small holes in them, allowing them to be sewn on the ribbon. Tailors replacements have a slider to allow the clasp to be slipped over the ribbon.

Terry Reeves

[JOE GRAY]

Thanks for the reply Terry. Regarding the Silver War Badge,is it because of the length of time that I cannot apply for the award, or do they no longer issue these awards to descendants?
His MIC states that he qualified for the SWB 5/10/1914, List H324.

Cheers
Joe

[Terry Reeves]

Joe

As far as I'm aware, it is the length of time. WW1 medals can no longer be claimed either.

Terry Reeves

[JOE GRAY]

Many thanks for your trouble Terry.

Joe.

[pwenlock]

Hi Joe

An Oak Leaf emblem wasn't issued with the 1914 Star as it signifies the recipient was "Mentioned in Despatches" & is normally attached to the 1914-1919 Victory Medal ribbon. The item you are talking about is a Rosette, which signifies service with the BEF during the period you state.

A reputable medal dealer should be able to provide you with an original at reasonable cost. The reason I state "reputable dealer" is because like most things these days there are many fake items on the market.

Yours aye
Paul

[JOE GRAY]

Many thanks Paul, I"ll give it a try,
Best Wishes,
Joe.