HERKT, Philip Stanley

Display Number:  0304  
Name:  Herkt  Philip Stanley
Rank:  Telegraphist Service Number:  NZD4014
Date Joined:  5th January 1942 Date Discharged:  8th February 1946

Philip Herkt joined the Royal New Zealand Navy for 'hostilities only' in 1942 as an ordinary telegraphist. After serving in HMNZS Philomel he was soon transferred to the Royal Navy in Sri Lanka (then named Ceylon). Later, after advanced training in the United Kingdom, he served on submarine depot ships, as well as a seagoing appointment to the submarine HMS Seanymph. He returned to New Zealand as a telegraphist in late 1945, serving at HMNZS Philomel until being demobilised in 1946.

 
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Medal Description (Left to Right):  
  • 1939-1945 Star - Recognises service in the Second World War. It was usually awarded for six months service in special operational areas. Those whose service was shortened by death, injury or capture or who were awarded a decoration or mentioned in despatches also qualified for the medal. Those who served a day or more in specified battles or invasions also qualified for this award. The ribbon has three equal vertical stripes of dark blue (symbolising Navy and Merchant Navy), red (symbolising Army) and light blue (representing Air Force).
  • Burma Star (Pacific Clasp) - Awarded for service in the Burma campaign from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945. It was also awarded for certain specified service in China and Malaya (16 February 1942 - 2 September 1945), Hong Kong (26 December 1941 - 2 September 1945) and Sumatra (24 March 1942 - 2 September 1945). The centre of the ribbon is red (representing the Commonwealth Forces) with outer stripes of dark blue (representing British Forces). The dark blue bands each have at their centres a stripe of bright orange (symbolising the sun). Those who served in these areas after 8 December 1941, but prior to the starting dates mentioned, or served in the Pacific between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 received the Pacific Star. Those who qualified for both were awarded both of these awards were given the first star they qualified for, with a clasp in respect of the second star.
  • War Medal - Awarded across the British Commonwealth to all fulltime members of the Armed Force for 28 days service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 irrespective of where they were serving. On one side is an effigy of King George VI. On the reverse is a lion trampling on a dragon symbolising the Axis powers. The ribbon is the red, white and blue of the (British) Union Flag.
  • New Zealand War Service Medal - Awarded for 28 days' full time service or six months' part time service in any of the New Zealand Armed Forces, the New Zealand National Military Reserve or the Home Guard between 3 September  1939 and 2 September 1945. Eligible part time Home Guard Personnel must have completed their six months' part time service between 16 August 1940 and 1 January 1944 (the Home Guard was disbanded in December 1943). It was the first distinctively 'New Zealand' war service medal, which was emphasised by the use of the fern leaf motif on the suspender and the reverse of the medallion, and the national colours of black and white on the ribbon.