I am a previous serving member, with my own medals, can i wear my medals at tge same time as wearing my grandfather’s medals in civilian gear. Each on the correct side?.
It’s 100% not allowed in uniform but in civvies it’s your choice. However, If you have your own it’s not the done thing to also wear someone else’s.
2 Likes
You can - not least because you’re a civilian, you can wear what you like - but, and it’s a personal opinion - I think it’s desperate stuff and is a bit ‘look at me’.
You’re going to look like the North Korean general staff…
2 Likes
The RBL confirms there’s no such approval and guidance.
Generally speaking, it’s not the done thing (it just so happens you see some people doing it).
Medals are only really for wearing by the person who has earned them. Except in the case of the Elizabeth Cross.
2 Likes
Ironically North Korean generals have so many medals because they DO wear their ancestors’ medals.
Gotta flash off that high, multigenerational songbun.
2 Likes
I mean you can do pretty much whatever you want in civvies, but it isn’t really the done thing.
1 Like
Hi there. Very new here but have been an active member of The Legion fo many years.
The RBL do support the wearing of medals to honour deceased veterans.
“ The medals awarded to a deceased service/ex-service person may be worn on the right breast by a near relative.
An individual cannot wear more than one group of medals.“
taken from RBL - Members' etiquette - medals
I don’t see a problem with it, quite the opposite, if done responsibly and respectfully it allows us to continue to honour those that have give their time and possibly their life in the service of their country after their passing. I regularly see veterans who proudly wear their own medals and those of a relative who has passed away I think it is nice that those that served in another era are remembered by and through their relatives
I think the RBL guidance / etiquette gets the balance just right: either wear your medals or those of a close relative. Multiple groups of medals has an unserious / North Korean look to it.
2 Likes
I believe the RBL guidance is that your own medals are worn on the left and one set of a close relatives may be worn on the right. This is only for civilian dress.
I didn’t think it was an either or choice.
However, as civilians, people can do as they wish and disregard the “guidance”.
Personally I don’t think I would.
1 Like
That isn’t how it reads to me.
One group of medals, not one group in addition to their own.
1 Like
It is a bit vague and I can see how it could be interpreted either way. Yours plus 1 or just yours or a relatives / friends in their place.
This guidance likely refers to those representing the Legion or on parade wearing a legion badge or emblem.
Personally I would have no problem with people wearing both, where dress regs of the MOD or RBL didn’t apply, although I suppose it would look odd and would maybe confuse people who don’t know about the left / right thing.
1 Like
Although they almost certainly have the best intentions to honour their friend or relative, it ends up looking comical.
Sometimes, rules are for our own good.
1 Like
Ironically the DPRK Military officers have so many medals BECAUSE they wear their ancestors medals also. 
Definitely one of my cooler items in my collection (The Commerative Order of the 40th Anniversary of the Fatherland Liberation War)
2 Likes
I suspect as the act is more about sentiment than aesthetic for those who wish to, the former is more important to them than the latter.
I don’t see value in the denigration of those grieving or honouring others how they wish to where regulations don’t apply.
1 Like
I see where you are coming from… and I think, in reality, it is a mixture of both often, sentiment and remembrance are entwined and difficult to pull apart.
I will say that over the years I have heard many heartwarming, sometimes very sad, but always respectful tales of the fallen and veterans who have past told by a relative or a serving comrade who have chosen to take their memory onto a parade they could not walk themselves.
it certainly sounds sentimental but sometimes behind it sits a genuine promise and honour.
I don’t think this is a one box fits all situation.
I didn’t say sentimental.
I used sentiment as shorthand for “thought and logic” which leads to motivation and intent.
1 Like
I was more referring to the fact that was starting to sound sentimental in my post with that particular statement 
.
I agree with you. It’s me that gets sentimental.
1 Like
I have a bit of a way around it. Both my grandfathers WW1 (Inc the MM) and WW2 medals are scattered around the family. I have a pin on bar for each of them with 4 & 7 miniature ribbons for each of them . I pin them on underneath my own rack so they cannot be seen but I know that they are there. It’s my personal tribute to my family military history from 1911 to 2026 and I can take them on parade when they cannot be present.
3 Likes