[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 3/44. continued.

Undated Other

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 3/44. continued.
PAGE TWO.
Para. 16. 1939 - 1943 STAR (continued)
All claims for grant of the 1939 - 1943 Star should be submitted,
giving full details, with dates, to A.D.A.P., S.A.A.F. Admin. H.Q., Cairo.
In such cases no authority to wear the ribbon either of the 1939-1943 Star
or the Africa Star will be issued until final regulations governing the
award of the 1939-1943 Star have been issued.
Personnel as listed in Appendix "A" are authorized to wear the
Africa Star and Clasp.
Personnel as listed in Appendix "B" are authorized to wear the
Africa Star only.
The ribbon and clasp will be drawn from "Q" Stores at 09.30 hours
on Friday, 21st January, '44 and all ranks authorized to wear these ribbons
are to have them on their Uniforms by Saturday, 22nd January, '44.
Personnel not listed but claiming that they are entitled to the
award must report to the Adjutant on or before Monday, 24th January, '44.
The grant of wearing of ribbon as listed in Appendixes "A" & "B"
is subject to amendment.
Entries will only be made in Pay Books after the awards have been
published in Part II Orders.
[Signature]
LT. COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Bureaucracy of War (A.D.A.P. Cairo): The order directs claims to the Assistant Director of Air Personnel (A.D.A.P.) at South African Air Force (S.A.A.F.) Administrative Headquarters in Cairo. This highlights that although the squadron was fighting in Italy, its administrative lifeline and records center remained in Egypt, the hub of Commonwealth operations for the Mediterranean theater.
* "Q" Stores (Quartermaster): The ribbons were to be drawn from Quartermaster ("Q") Stores. The Quartermaster branch was responsible for all supplies, from food and ammunition to uniforms and, in this case, medals. The tight deadline (draw on Friday, wear by Saturday) suggests a command emphasis on immediate visual recognition of veteran status to boost morale.
* Africa Star & Clasp: The distinction between Appendix "A" (Star and Clasp) and Appendix "B" (Star only) refers to the specific campaign clasps awarded for the Africa Star (e.g., "North Africa 1942-43"). When wearing just the ribbon on a service dress uniform, the clasp was represented by a small silver rose emblem.
* Part II Orders: The final line mentions "Part II Orders." In military administration, Part I Orders (like this document) covered daily routine, training, and discipline. Part II Orders were the official legal record of changes to a soldier's status (pay, rank, transfers, and awards). An entry in Part II Orders was required for the award to be permanently recorded in the soldier's Pay Book (AB64), which was their primary identity document.
* Historical Context (1939-1943 Star): The 1939-1943 Star was the original name for what eventually became the 1939-1945 Star. The text notes that "final regulations... have not yet been laid down," reflecting the evolving criteria for campaign medals while the war was still being fought. It was awarded for operational service (usually 6 months), distinct from the specific geographic campaigns like Africa or Italy.

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Verification: Target File Verification: The document is Appendix "A" to a Squadron Routine Order, dated 20th JANUARY, 1944.