What Is This?

[stewey]

Sometimes I post “What Is This?” threads on here for sort of a fun type quiz. However, this time I do need help in identifying something, and I know there are some ex-military types on here. I found this item in an “Army Book 64, Soldier’s Service and Pay Book” from the Second World War. Any ideas? The top horizontal line is blue, and the bottom one is black.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2n8yo1.jpg

[shoota]

Medal ribbon WW2 Africa Star

[shoota]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-AFRICA-STAR-ORIGINAL-BRITISH-WORLD-WORLD-2-CAMPAIGN-MEDAL-WW11-1939-1945-/190953309802?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item2c75b4466a

[murraymints]

Ribbon from a campaign medal...? Don't know which, is not like any of my fil' s ...desert rat in 7th army

[murraymints]

Yes it is ! Just checked his medals...he has this defo...he was at electronic alemein and torbruk

[murraymints]

El....predictive thingy again !

[stewey]

Great, shoota. It does mention in the book that he received that medal, and there is a small sepia toned photo of four men posing on a small truck in the desert.

[stewey]

Hello, mm, it almost gives me goose bumps to be handling this long dead soldier's belongings.

[shoota]

Anybody who served in that theatre of war received this medal just for being there, I think you had to be there for a day to qualify.
My father was in Cairo and surrounding desert for quite a while but declined to accept the medals he was due. I have been researching them so recognised it instantly.
WW2 medals were not individually named so you could buy one fromebay or somewhere to replace your mans - they are fairly common.

[stewey]

It seems that he survived the desert ordeal. but was later killed and buried in France. I have been asked to find out, if possible, which cemetery. Any idea on how to go about this?

[shoota]

Dot Hawkes will be able to help you - I know you can find out fairly easily but I don't exactly know how.
Do you know what regiment he was with?

[shoota]

You can get new ribbon too:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MYB180-WW2-Africa-Star-Medal-Ribbon-Full-Size-28cm-11-long-/141101617268?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item20da4fd074

[stewey]

He was a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps, but I haven't come across a specific regiment.

[Peter Pedant]

Shoota - while you are at it - the 'standard hand out' in medals in the 2WW

Someone said Oh its easy - and then I forgot the answer: 2 stars and 3 gongs:

Africa Star
Italy Star

War medal
Defence Medal
Kings Medal

that is my first effort -can you correct it ? thanks PP

[shoota]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa_Star

[stewey]

This is the best I could do with the photo. Remembrance Day is coming up, so let's salute these five (I think) guys posing a long time ago.
http://i40.tinypic.com/bgydzo.jpg

[carrot99]

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission site might help you.

[murraymints]

The chap at front looks VERY like FIL....he was driver in 4th light armoured brigade..7th division !

[stewey]

Thanks, carrot99; I've made a note of that. MM, that would be an amazing coincidence!

[murraymints]

Do you have any names ?

[stewey]

Only one: Harry Robinson from Newcastle upon Tyne.