SOLDIERS' MEDALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1920, Page 6

SOLDIERS' MEDALS.

AND ILLUMINATED CERTIFICATES. THE DIFFICULTIES OF ISSUE. The issue of medals and illuminated certificates of service for tile N.2.E.F. is being ]Whed on with nil possible speed by the Defence Department, Wellington, states the Officer in Charge of War Accounts and Records, and toidate practically all 1914-lf. stars have out, while certificates have been '"sued. Where there have been delays the "Diggers" .themselves are wholly responsible by reason of the fact that, they have failed to notify their change of address or have not returned to the department forms sent 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 be 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 in respect to yourself, and which will ba contained on the medal and certificate or other documents yet to be 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, forms posted to soldiers early in possible after appending your signature ill the space provided at'the foot. Do not omit to notify this office of anv 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 stony silence, and as a eoiisei)ncnce 110 medals or certificates havft been issued in these eases. 011 (he other hand, many exmembers of the N.Z.E.F. have expressed appreciation of Ihei opportunity offered them by the department to check their service records and have rendered all the assistance neccssarv by promptly returning the forms There are more than '2(10,000 medals and 30,000 certificates to issue.