[Mark W. Tonner]

Hi Bill;

Thanks for your input regarding the Memorial Bar.

Originally posted by Bill Alexander
Mark et al, The information on the documentation and medals awarded to Edward Smith brings attention to a Canadian commemorative which has largely been ignored. The Memorial Bar (aka the Birks bar) was created circa 1950, and according to records, awarded to the familes of every serviceman and woman who had died in the country's service during World War Two.
Is there a stamp on the medal record card that says something to the effect: Memorial Bar Despatched? (Ususally a rectangular ink stamp, within which there is a notation of the date the bar was sent.

On the right hand side of the 'MEDALS AND MEMORIALS-DECEASED PERSONNEL' form - the stamp for the Memorial Bar is there, but the date of despatch is blank, but the Registration No. is filled in. As I mentioned earlier regarding the Memorial Cross itself, on the right hand side of the form (smaller stamp) the date of despatch (25 Jul 45) and the Registration Number are filled in.

Originally posted by Bill Alexander
For historians today, this seems redundant. However as Mark's post of the Memorial Cross warrant indicates, the cross was sent to the female next of kin (mother, widow, eventually extended to sisters, and currently I believe it has been extended to male surviving relatives.)

You are correct regarding the Memorial Cross going to male surviving relatives today (ie: father). About ten years ago, we presented one to a mother here in London, while the father in Petawawa received one also, their son had been killed while serving in the former Yugoslavia (they were divorced at the time of his death), but were both still, his legal next-of-kin.

Cheers