A World War II British Army campaign medal group of four medals, complete with original ribbons, mailing box, and award slip. The medals are unnamed as issued to British personnel. The collection comprises a 1939-1945 Star, a France and Germany Star, a Defence Medal, and a War Medal 1939-1945.
The 1939-1945 Star is a six-pointed bronze star with the Royal Cypher GRI VI surmounted by a crown, within a circular band inscribed THE 1939 – 1945 STAR. The France and Germany Star is a similar six-pointed bronze star, inscribed THE FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR. The Defence Medal is a circular cupro-nickel medal featuring the bareheaded effigy of King George VI on the obverse and two lions flanking a crown over an oak tree on the reverse, with the dates 1939 and 1945. The War Medal 1939-1945 is a circular cupro-nickel medal showing the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse and a lion standing upon a fallen double-headed dragon on the reverse. Both circular medals bear the legend GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP.
The original cardboard mailing box is included, bearing an O. H. M. S. heading and a circular OFFICIAL PAID stamp with a crown. It is handwritten to the recipient: MR. F. COOKE, 3, SILVER STREET, WELLINGBOROUGH, NORTHANTS. The accompanying printed award slip from the War Office expresses compliments by Command of the Army Council for service during the war of 1939-45.
Condition report:
The medals are in good original condition with a natural aged patina. The bronze stars show expected darkening, and the cupro-nickel medals exhibit light surface tarnish. Ribbons appear to be original; the Star ribbons are attached but show fraying at the edges. The Defence Medal is attached to its ribbon, and a loose full-length ribbon for the War Medal is present. The cardboard mailing box is intact but shows signs of wear, including some crushing and a torn corner, though the handwritten address remains clearly legible. The award slip is in good condition with standard folding and light yellowing consistent with age.
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