Permission to wear Zulu War Medal.

If someone's ancestor had fought in the Zulu War and he/she was attending a Zulu War Ceremony i.e. (Rededication) is permission required from the War-Department / Queen to wear their ancestor medal in honour of them on that day.

132 years on. I don't think anyone would bother to get permisson for one day. (Could be wrong)

Providing you wear them on the Right breast, not left, you can wear your ancestors, such as WW1 or WW2 medals.

My understanding is you must also be dressed in civilian clothes, not military uniform. If in military unifom you are only permitted to wear your own medals.

JohnB

As for wearing of the medals the wording and regulations from the MoD Medal Office is as follows:

"There are no regulations which govern the wearing of medals awarded to persons who are deceased. Although it is not formally authorised, it has become an acceptable practice for Next of Kin or Legal Beneficiary (when in civilian dress) to wear deceased persons insignia as a mark of rememberance on suitable occasions if they so desire. (The most notable is Remeberance Sunday Parades and Services). When so doing, the medals are worn on the right hand breast in civilian dress only. The custom of wearing other persons' medals in this manner does not offend either the Army Act 1955 section 197 or the emotional tribute to which such wearing is intended".

Thanks 1879Graves. Would the next of kin need a document to certify that he is the legal owner of the medal and is the next of kin to whom the medal was issued?

Hi All

I have been asked to post the following for all to see.

With regard to the thread about wearing a family members' medals - the posts are quite correct in saying the convention is for a descendant to wear them on the opposite (right) side of the chest. And here are a couple of relevent photos. This is Roger Lane, great grandson of Sgt Henry Gallagher of B Company fame, in Zululand in January 2007 (at iSandlwana and Fugitives' Drift) wearing period uniform, with Gallagher's medals.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hi 1879 Graves

In view of the previous comments, does 'period costume' mean the same as 'civilian clothes' if it is a copy of a military uniform?

JohnB

Hi JohnB

'period costume' mean the same as 'civilian clothes'

You are correct

As far as I understand, there is a difference between military unifom and period costume. One is a Uniform which is current and the other is a costume, which was worn at the time. So a costume is the same as 'civilian clothes'.

Thanks for posting photo’s 1879Graves. Roger Lane the actual Great Grandson of Sgt Henry Gallagher. Standing in the same style of uniform, as his Grandfather would have worn back in 1879. Don’t you just love History?

P.S.
Looked at the information re: Henry Gallagher. 1879Graves says, “See Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves” I looked for it cannot find it. Was it posted?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks 1879 Graves for your comments

JohnB