A New Zealander in the Vietnam War

This is an interesting group, inscribed to Gunner H.H. Brass, RNZA (383606). Both the Vietnam War Service medal and the Republic of Vietnam are engraved. The RVN medal has the famous 1960- date on it. The intention was that the final date would be added after the victory over North Vietnam. Since South Vietnam was defeated there was no government around to establish the missing date.

The Vietnam War Service Medal was awarded to all members of the New Zealand armed forces who, between 29 May 1964 and 27 January 1973, either served for 28 days, continuous or aggregated, in ships or craft employed in operations on inland waters or off the coast of Vietnam or served for one day or more on the posted strength of a unit or formation on land in Vietnam, conducted one operational sortie over Vietnam or Vietnamese waters by aircrew on the posted strength of a unit allocated for direct support of operations in Vietnam or served for 30 days or more, continuous or aggregated, on official visits, inspections or other occurrences of a temporary nature on duty in Vietnam, or in ships or craft engaged in operations off the Vietnamese coast.

Service terminated by death or wounds, or the award of a decoration for gallantry led to the immediate award of the medal, regardless of whether the qualification period had been fulfilled.

Since the ROV medal was considered a foreign award by the New Zealand Government it was never approved for display on official occasions so this group has been mounted for Anzac Day wear I am guessing.

A Kiwi Korea Vet

This group is marked to 61235 Aircraftsman L.C. Hill, RNZAF and comprises the New Zealand Operational Service Medal, The New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49, the Commonwealth Korea Medal, the UN Korea Medal and the Republic of Korea War Medal. The ROK medal is a later issue as it down’t have the national symbol woven into the ribbon. This is an interesting set as the guy is clearly an early arrival into Korea and stayed until the end. The The OSM and Jay Force medals are named which is unusual for these things, leading me to believe that at least some of this group are official replacements as habitually they weren’t inscribed at the time but late issues from the 1990′s were.

Africa General Service Medal 1902-1956

This medal was first instituted in 1902 for Campaigns on the African Continent, and was issued to British and Colonial Forces, The Medal remained in use for 54 years, the longest running British service Medal, Bearing the  effigy of Elizabeth 11 it was issued with the Bar Kenya for service during the Mau Mau Campaign, 1952-56.

My example is impressed to A.399 CPL.ONYAGA J.S/O OBOK.

The Mau Mau Uprising of 1952 to 1960 was an insurgency by Kenyans against British colonial rule. The core of the resistance was formed by members of the Kikuyu ethnic group, along with smaller numbers of Embu and Meru. The uprising failed militarily, though it hastened Kenyan independence and motivated Africans in other countries to fight against colonial rule. It created a rift between the white colonial community in Kenya and the Home Office in London that set the stage for Kenyan independence in 1963. It is sometimes called the Mau Mau Rebellion or the Mau Mau Revolt, and, in official documents, the Kenya Emergency.

The name Mau Mau for the rebel movement was not coined by the movement itself — they called themselves Muingi (“The Movement”), Muigwithania (“The Understanding”), Muma wa Uiguano (“The Oath of Unity”) or simply “The KCA”, after the Kikuyu Central Association that created the impetus for the insurgency. Veterans of the independence movement referred to themselves as the “Land and Freedom Army” in English.

General Service Medal 1918-1962 with Malaya Bar

The General Service Medal was instituted to recognise service in minor Army and Air Force operations for which no separate medal was intended. It was equivalent to the NGSM.

This particular example was awarded for operations in Singapore and the Malay Peninsula during the “Malayan Emergency”, a successful counter-insurgency operation against communist guerillas. The qualifying dates for service were between 16 June 1948 and 31 July 1960. For the Colony of Singapore, the date period was between 16 June 1948 to 31 January 1959.

The example I have is impressed to I0566 S/SGT IBRAHIM BIN SHUKOR F. of M.POL.

Royal Observer Corps Medal

The Royal Observer Corps Medal is a long service medal awarded in the United Kingdom to members of the Royal Observer Corps relating to service between 1941 and December 1995 when the Corps was stood down. The medal was initiated in 1950 by His Majesty King George Vl.

Prior to the Second World War Observer Corps personnel were employed by police forces and qualified for the award of the Special Constable Long Service Medal for twelve years continuous service.

That qualification ceased in 1941 when RAF Fighter Command took control of the ROC. In 1950 the King, as Air Commodore in Chief of the ROC, granted permission for the award of the Royal Observer Corps Medal for twelve years continuous service in the corps. Each subsequent service of twelve years was recognised by the award of a Crown and eagle wings clasp sewn to the medal ribbon. Wholetime officer service counted for half qualification, therefore requiring twenty four years service to qualify for a medal or clasp, but with any previous sparetime service counting in full.

My example is named to Obs. J. Barker.

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949

The New Zealand Service Medal 1946 – 1949 was a New Zealand campaign medal for service in Occupied Japan at the end of World War II.
The medal was instituted in 1995 to recognise New Zealand military personnel who served in the occupation forces in Japan between March 1946 and March 1949. In 2002 the Royal Warrant was amended to also recognise service between September 1945 and March 1946, including service by the crews of HMNZS Gambia and HMNZS Achilles in Japanese waters.
The medal was awarded to all those, military or civilian, who served with the occupation forces.
Members of the armed services were required to have completed 28 days service in Japan,
Members of the New Zealand Merchant Navy were required to have spent an aggregate of 28 days in Japanese territory or territorial waters, working with or alongside a New Zealand government contribution to the occupation forces,
Aircrew of civilian airlines incorporated in New Zealand were required to have completed an aggregate of 48 flying hours in Japanese airspace,
Civilians qualified if they had spent 28 days in Japan working with or alongside a New Zealand government contribution to the occupation forces.
Service terminated by death, wounds or disability due to service, withdrawal at the direction of the New Zealand Government for official reasons, or the award of a Royal Honour for gallantry, bravery, or meritorious service, qualified for the award of the medal, regardless of whether the length of service requirement had been met.
Since 1995 this medal has been issued to over 4,700 veterans or their families. About 13,000 New Zealanders, including several hundred women, are eligible for this medal.

General Service Medal 1918-1962 with Cyprus Bar

4029057 LAC D.ALLISON