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Inheritance of medals

(35 Posts)
Mizpah123 Tue 04-Mar-25 05:27:31

Many folks believe medals should always be inherited by a male but there is an American site that states the following inheritance order: Highest: Surviving wife or the sibling's birth mother, Second: A daughter, Next: The middle or youngest son, Next: The eldest son and so refreshing to acknowledge a female for a change! Also, the middle and youngest son as history tells us that the eldest son scoops the jackpot every time!

KathleenE Wed 05-Mar-25 22:41:37

RedRobin 15, I wonder if you could give them to the regimental museum if there is one, on a loan, if there is nobody in the family who would appreciate them. Then at least other people would be able to see them.

grandmac Wed 05-Mar-25 22:45:14

I had my Dads medals, badges, buttons and paperwork so decided I would frame them with photographs of him and his ship. But then thought my sister would probably like them too so bought another 6 original medals on eBay, then divided them so we had 3 of my Dads and 3 bought ones each. Luckily there were enough badges and buttons so we each have some. The finished product is lovely and was admired so much I have done another one for my son with mostly eBay purchases and my sister has done 2 more for her children! I am so pleased my grandchildren will be able to inherit these memories of their g grandfather.

Hemgranot Thu 06-Mar-25 09:35:12

My father didn’t have any sons and gave me, his second daughter, his father’s medals. My sisters have been given other heirlooms like a gold watch and gold cigarette case.
Dad did ask me to respect his father’s wishes and to keep the medals in the same state. They are still in the package Grandpa received after the Great War. They’ve never even been put onto their ribbons. A moment in time preserved to my mind.

I’m not sure who will have them after me, my offspring will probably never have any children but I may give them to my niece for her children.

Nantotwo Thu 06-Mar-25 11:42:37

My dad promised his medals to anyone who cleaned them for him before the armistice parade. He promised them to me, I heard him promise them to my brothers son and to my brothers daughter all at different times. My sister was adamant her son had been promised them and would not accept every one had smile To be honest, he's a good lad and will cherish them. I didn't want to fall out over medals.

Allira Thu 06-Mar-25 12:28:49

You can have copies made or miniatures.
I know it's not the same thing but many people have miniatures made of their relatives' medals which they wear on the right hand side of their coat or jacket on Armistice Day.

Greyduster Sat 08-Mar-25 15:09:50

DH had miniatures that he wore on his mess jacket on formal occasions. They were taken in a burglary after he retired. Fortunately they hadn’t been kept with his full sized set, one of which is very special, or they would probably have gone too. He didn’t see any point in replacing them but I wish now that we had. Still could I suppose.

Milest0ne Sun 16-Mar-25 14:55:11

My MiL was adopted , Her birth father died in WW1 Her birth mother gave her the medals and "Death Penny" when MiL was getting married. I put the medals Penny and letters in a drawer but the Death Penny disappeared. Not any of the family but I suspect a workman was the thief .
Does anybody know If I can find where it is now? It has his name on it, quite an unusual name.

AN41 Sun 16-Mar-25 18:03:45

to MilestOne.

You could do worse than to contact your nearest British Legion.

Mojack26 Sun 16-Mar-25 20:33:49

My step grandson is getting my dad's 39-45 war medal and Burma Star when I'm gone. He was close to my dad and I would like him to have them as it means something to him. Not worth anything but they are to us. Dad refused them but I made him apply for them in 2016. He died in 2019. So proud of him.