TOPIC:

Hi there
Today I took delivery of a group of medals (bought via an auction house).

The medals are: MM, QSA (3 clasps) and the 1914 Star/bar trio. I have some small pices of paperwork which suggest he was also eligible for the 1901 and 1902 clasp.

How can I find out if he was eligible? If he was, would he have had to apply for them? And again if he was eligible, would it be incorrect of me to add them to his QSA?

Many thanks and I look forward to spending a lot more time on this website/forum.

DCLI,

A lovely group of medals. It should be possible to check any entitlement to the date clasps. What are the details of the naming on the QSA?

The date clasps were often sent separately from the QSA and could become detached. If he is entitled to additional clasps your options are a) leave it as it is and note the information, b) purchase the clasp(s) and add them to the ribbon or c) purchase the clasps and have a professional attach them to the other clasps using very similar rivets.

Regards
David

The QSA was awarded to 21507 Trooper Charles Thacker, 106th Coy 4th Imperial Yeomanry.

Would it be considered 'bad form' to buy and attach the clasps, even if he was entitled?

Next question, where might I find contemporary clasps?

Thank you

DCLI,

His QSA is listed on WO100/121p308 with clasps CC, OFS & Tr.

The supplementary roll (WO100/121p318) lists the clasps SA01 and SA02.

Given that he is entitled to the clasps and this was my QSA, I would buy original clasps and have then attached. I don't think it is bad form at all. It would be restoring the medal to what it was intended to be and how it may have been for a period of time before he date clasps became detached. Other people will disagree and say the medals ought not to be tampered with. It's a similar debate to clean/don't clean and remount/don't remount.

It is down to personal choice at the end of the day.

Regards
David

Thank you very much for your promt and encouraging response.

On the Western Front Association, there are similar discussions re. cleaning, mounting etc. I am/was of the clean, new (contemporary) ribbons and mount school.

Last question. Where might I find contemporary SA 01 and 02 clasps?

regards

I'm with you on that score, DCLI, and think clean, add clasps (!), new ribbons and mount is a perfectly acceptable way to look after our heritage and help secure it for future generations.

You can buy contemporary date clasps from the major dealers. Try Dixons Medals, Liverpool Medals etc.

I have used GA Medal Services for adding clasps to QSAs and have been very impressed with his work. His web site is www.gamedals.co.uk/

Perhaps you can post a picture of the QSA at a suitable time?

Best wishes
David