Yourletters

Let us know what you think of your favourite militaria magazine or ask other readers a question

CIVILIAN AWARDS

I feel collecting civil awards, as an interesting sub-category of medals, is worthy of more detailed study. I have attached an image of the Japanese Census medal which was awarded in 1920 by the Japanese Government to those involved in its first census. These medals are awarded for peaceful activities associated with the governance of nations. I also have one example of the Nigerian Civil Service medal struck in 1970 within my civil awards sub-collection. These awards are also generally less expensive than military equivalents.

Rohan Goyne, by email

Ed says: There’s certainly scope to look at a wide range of civil awards. Our resident medal expert Peter Duckers has already covered those awarded for Polar exploration, so expect to see more in the months ahead.

NOT SPAM

I realise that errors will appear occasionally despite efforts to ensure accuracy, but the latest incorrect information on Australia really is remarkable (August 2022 issue, Rations of WWll, page 32). To liken Vegimite to Spam is nonsense! Would you (or Jamie Callister) say that that Marmite is the same as corned beef? The Armourer is not cheap, $19.50 here in Queensland, Australia and this sort of sloppy editing spoils the experience and devalues an otherwise good magazine.

Ian Buchanan, by email

Ed says: The caption didn’t mean that Vegemite literally tasted like, or was the same as, Spam, it meant it served the same purpose as Spam in the field rations, ie an Australian equivalent stock food. The caption could have been more explicit in this, but there was limited space.

OVERSEAS ENTRIES

I have just renewed my subscription and thought I would try to enter the latest competition. Regrettably when I tried to use my UK address (my daughter's address) it appeared to cause my subscription address to be amended as well. I wonder if is not possible for the user profile to offer the choice of an alternative (UK) address? This would allow the subscriber to select the primary or alternative address according to circumstance. If this is not possible, then is it not possible to de-link the address required for the competition from the subscription?

I do request that this be investigated as being an overseas subscriber of some years standing (and at considerable expense), I would really like to enter the competitions but do understand the publisher's reluctance to post overseas. John Lamot, by email

Ed says: As I see it, the problem here is that in order to take out a subscription you have created an account on the website. The competitions also require you to have an account with the website. There is no specific option on the competition entry to use a different address so any changes to the website account address are automatically updated on the magazine subscription. Unfortunately that’s how all the Warners websites work.

My suggestion though is to create a different account on the website, for the sole purpose of entering the competitions.

Use a different email address than the one you used for your subscription (if necessary just create a John@outlook.com free email, for example) and then you can use your daughter’s address. When logging in to enter the competition, just use the competition-orientated account, rather than the one for your actual subscription.