SOLDIER’S MEDALS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 19 November 1920, Page 4

SOLDIER’S MEDALS.

ILLUMINATED CERTIFICATES, j

Wellington, this day. j The issue of medals and illuminated j certificates of service for the N.Z.E.I’. is being pushed on with all possible speed by the Defence Department, j Wellington, and to date practically all - 1914-15 stars have .gone out, while 25,000 certificates have been issued, j Where there have been delays the Diggers themselves are wholly responsible by reason of the fact that they ha\e failed to notify their change of address or have riot returned to the Department the B.K. 3SS (draft of ser- , vice particulars) sent to them. 'I hose . forms showing the medals .earned, the ! period of service, and theatres of . operations, are addressed to sokUersl in the following terms: — “As it is hoped that it may sl.o:t ly be possible to issue the British La: .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 con-, laincd on the medal and certificate or other documents yet to be issued, as medals and documents once issued can only bo altered al. the recipient ’» <>: petite. Will you please, therefore, check the particulars on the bad hereof and return this form complete to me as early as possible after appending your signature in the space, provided at the loot! Do not omit to advise this office of any future change of address." Addressed and stamped envelop a arc enclosed with the forme, hut despite this, forms posted to seidiceurlv in August have mot with a ..tc"-' silence, and no a consequent e re medals or certificates have been is m -H in these cares. On the other hand I , ,j.s members of tin: N.Z.E.E. h;. •• j I CM.O eased appro*, in l “ui of the •yi '. iunity oilct-rd (hem by the Ds P • '! went i hec l : their service recordI !- ■v* rendered all the assistant's ! ,is. r- r,, .- i - promptly returning t.I forms. ' These are more than -200,000' II medal? and 80.000 certificates to issue t and the success of such an undertakr ing demands strict adhcrencos to the I system employed, therefore Diggers j 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 hear 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 until this authority has reached the Oflicer-in-churgo War Accounts and Records, Wellington, to whom changes of address should aho be notified.