Defence Medal (WW2)

Defence Medal (WW2)

The Defence Medal is a British military campaign medal established in 1945 to recognize the service of British and Commonwealth personnel during World War II. The medal honors those who served in non-combatant roles, such as the Home Guard, Civil Defence, and other essential civilian services, whose efforts contributed significantly to the defense of the United Kingdom and its territories from enemy invasion and bombing.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Defence Medal, personnel must have served in non-combatant roles in the United Kingdom, its territories, or in specified overseas locations during World War II, between 3 September 1939 and 15 August 1945 (2 September 1945 for those in the Far East and the Pacific). The minimum service requirement for the Defence Medal varies depending on the specific role and location of the individual. For example, those serving in the Home Guard needed to have served at least three years, while those in Civil Defence needed to have served at least 1,080 days.

Design

The Defence Medal is designed as a circular, cupro-nickel medallion featuring the effigy of King George VI on the obverse, surrounded by the inscription ""GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP."". The reverse of the medal displays an image of a crowned oak tree, surrounded by the inscription ""THE DEFENCE MEDAL"" and flanked by two heraldic lions.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the Defence Medal features a central stripe of orange, flanked by wide stripes of green on the edges, run through with narrow stripes of black.

The Defence Medal is a symbol of the service and dedication of British and Commonwealth personnel who served in non-combatant roles during World War II. It is a testament to their commitment and resilience in the face of adversity and serves as a reminder of their crucial role in defending the United Kingdom and its territories from enemy threats during a time of great global turmoil.

Unmounted Medals

If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.

Defence Medal (WW2) Full Size Court Mounted

The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.

It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.

Defence Medal (WW2) Full Size Swing Mounted

The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.

Defence Medal (WW2) Miniature Court Mounted

Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

Defence Medal (WW2) Miniature Swing Mounted

Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

Defence Medal (WW2) Ribbon Bar

A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.