Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

This is probably one for Kris.
Were WW1 medals automatically issued, or did you have to claim them?
One man in a family I'm researching was killed at the Somme. His medal card shows 2 medals and at least one must have been posthumous as it's a victory medal. How can I find out whether his family ever got his medals and, if they didn't, would anyone be able to send for them now?

_________________
Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

Hi Maureen, in most cases the medals were sent out automatically, and if deceased, they were sent to the next of kin.

The Government does not issue original WW1 medals anymore, but a relative may contact Award Productions at tel: 01952 510053 to receive a replica (not really the same though is it.)

http://www.veterans-uk.info/medals/claiming.html

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Defen ... ns/Medals/

Have you looked on Ancestry, maybe the soldier’s war records are on line? Sometimes these include an MOD letter stating the medals were sent out.

Some info about the Victory medal.
The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was also authorised in 1919 and was awarded to all eligible personnel who served on the establishment of a unit in an operational theatre.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... medals.asp

Although it’s a slim chance, but you could try googling the name and number of the soldier. WW1 medals, especially of soldiers that were killed at major battles, are highly collectable. You might get lucky…