Palestine GSM 1945-48

I know my father had 3 medals from his 1941-47 service with the 6 btn Blackwatch and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
*Italy Star - awarded for service in Italy, Greece, Albania and other countries in the area. My father was in Italy, fought at Monte Cassino and got shot in the shoulder in action in Rimini. He was then in Crete where they were working with the partisans against the Germans.
* 1939-45 Star and * Defence Medal for that period.
However, I have not been able to find them at all, maybe he gave them to someone when he was suffering from dementia before he and my mother came to live with us, I don't know but I do know he was very proud of them.
I applied to the MoD to have replacements but as they were not lost, stolen or destroyed in a fire, generally a loss that could be substantiated with a police or insurance report, they cannot be replaced.
I purchased the three medals from a reputable dealer so I can wear them, in his honour, at parades, ceremonies and commemorations.

Another 'however' is, when I received the letter that the MoD could not replace them they also told me that he was awarded the GSM (General Service Medal for campaigns) but it was never issued. They used my application as authorisation to issue to myself and today it arrived.
I felt so proud, and very emotional, when I opened the case and saw the 'Palestine 1945-1948' clasp on the ribbon.

He was such a fabulous father, always encouraging, always taking me places of interest, and the cinema, and although he was not easy to live with in his later years I still love and miss him dearly.

I shall have all four medals mounted and wear them with great pride, watch out for me on the Remembrance Day parade at the Cenotaph where I will be wearing my Oman Veterans Association dress while I march with all of the other veterans (with a Sand coloured beret as in the extra). 

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