SOLDIERS’ MEDALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1920, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ MEDALS.

ILLUMINATED OEIRTIFICATES. WELLINGTON, This Day. Tlie issue of medals and illuminate certificates of service for the N.Z.E.F is being pushed on with all possibl speed by the Defence Department, We lington, and to date practically a! 1914-15 stars have gone out while 25,00 i certificates have been issued. Wlifer there have been delays the Diggers them selves are mainly responsible by reasoi of the fact that they have failed tc notify thir change of address or have not returned to the Department the B It. 388 (draft of service particulars sen! to them. These forms showing the medals earned, the period of service, and theatres of operations are addressed to soldiers in the following terms: “As it is hoped that it may shortly lie possible to issue the British War Medal and Illuminated Certificate of Service, it is desired to give you an opportunity of agreeing with the information held by this office concerning yourself, and which will be contained c.n the medal and certificate or other documents yet to he issued, as medals and documents once issued can only be altered at the recipient’s expense. Will you please, therefore check the particulars on the back hereof and return this form complete to me as early as possible after appending your signature in the space provided at the foot. Do not omit to advise this office of any future change of address.”

Addressed and stamped envelopes are enclosed with the forms, but despite this, forms posted to .soldiers early in August have met with a stoney silen'"' and as a consequence no medals or certificates have been issued in these eases. On the other hand many exmembers of the N.Z.E.F. have expressed appreciation of the opportunity offered them by the Department to check their service records and have rendered all

the assistance necessary by promptly returning tlie forms. There are more than 200,000 medals and 80,000 certificates to issue and the success of such an undertaking demands strict adher- ' ences to the system employed, therefore Diggers are assured of early attention if the above request is complied with and only lengthy delay in issues and additional cost to the Department, in leaving it “until to-morrow.” In his own interests each soldier should 'bear in mind that the form signed by himself becomes the Department’s authority, to make the issues and that medals and certificates to which he is entitled cannot possibly go out un f il this authority has reached the Officer-in Charge War AVoounts a!nd Records, Wellington, to whom changes of address should also be notified.