From
the moment Cain killed Abel, mankind entered into armed combat, brother
against brother, family against family, tribe against tribe and
nation against nation. History is littered with armed conflicts, from
bible times "Mighty Men" and "Men of Fame" are recorded, as
well as regiments and standards. In ancient Egyptian times, it is recorded
that regiments of crack chariot troops were picked from the rank and file.
Later in Roman times, standard bearers were chosen due to their bravery, and
given the honour of taking care of and protecting the regimental emblem or
standard. In medieval times, squires were rewarded with knighthood, and
knights with lands for valour and courage. But it was during the wars of
the 18th & 19th century that badges and then medals, came more to the
fore.
It
was during the Napoleonic war that the first real medal was given
on masse to British troops, (this was the Waterloo medal, which was named
to each holder). Among Great Britain's allies, the German states also
issued a Waterloo medal and the first bravery medal was also issued. This medal crossed over ranks and was the
first to be extended from private to general. The award was the Prussian Iron Cross of 1813.
As
the Western armies looked East, South and West, countries like
Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal extended their empires,
at the same time issuing campaign medals to their armies. These awards from
Great Britain are usually named along the edge, whilst others, such as
Germany and France issued an award document with the award. It was not until the
outbreak of WWI that man's ability to annihilate whole areas became a
tragic reality. Millions of men died on foreign soil, nations were
engolfed within a space of a few months. Fighting had changed since the
beginning, weapons of war had become more effective, guns could cut down
hundreds of men in minutes, shells could travel miles and explode
and aeroplanes could drop bombs, ships could pound others with guns that
could also hit land targets, and with all these new weapons of war, new
trained men with new uniforms and new insignia were instituted. Medals
were issued not just for campaigns but for bravery and courage, not just
for fighting but for saving and surviving. When World War two broke out in
September of 1939, the new armies of the world had encompassed the air force,
and new types of troops, like paratroopers, u-boats and u-boat crews,
commando's and marines, came in the picture and the list goes on. All
these units have their own insignia. Some countries like Germany during
WWII, gave out campaign shields and cuff bands and combat badges for taking
part in armed combat, and when you see some of the photographs of these
veterans, you can work out their arms of service, where they have fought
and if they have been wounded and decorated for bravery.
Finland
was attacked by the USSR and for such a small country, managed to hold and
even beat, the red army in places. Many from Europe flocked to Finland to
aid this country with men from England, Germany, France and America as
well as Sweden and Denmark fighting side by side against the USSR.
All these men were awarded with badges or medals before being sent
home to their respective countries. It has been noted that Heinrich
Himmler was watching the struggle with the USSR and got his idea of
opening up the Waffen SS to these Nordic Peoples and it was a forrunner of
NATO. Many English soldiers were in Finland with one of them being
Christopher Lee, the well known actor.
With
British WWII Medals it’s a shame that most are unnamed, so the history of
these if there is no supporting paperwork, is lost. A 1939 Star could be
awarded to a battle of Britain Ace or a Home Guard member, but
you wouldn't know which it was, so a little history has been erased. The
firm of Jamie Cross is Non-political & items offered for sale are for
historical interest and investment only. We have a nice collection of German
War Medals, British Army Medals and Military Medals for
Sale.
