Anyway, I was impressed to see this collection of medals worn by Cllr David Hurley - the side the medals are worn demonstrates whether they are one's own or were awarded to one's father (or perhaps even grandfather) - but I can't remember which side, or how far back one is allowed to go, or even if one has to have been in service oneself before being allowed to wear them...
David was just off to a Remembrance Service after Mass, hence wearing the medals.
The ones on his left are his (over the heart) the ones on the right belong to his relatives. I believe that anyone can wear the medals of deceased relatives (even copies thereof), ensuring that they are worn on the right hand side. I have worn medals formerly belonging to my grandfather (in Anzac day Ceremonies, here in Aus) since I was a boy (I wasn't serving at that stage), Also I know of other people wearing medals from as far back as the Boer War. While it may be different in Britain I tend to think it wouldn't be as most of our military customs, in the great southern land, are copied from those in the UK.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note I will be receiving my first Service medal in the New year, hopefully one day my grandchildren will wear it and perhaps others!