Australia Service Medal 1939-1945

The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 is an Australian military decoration that was created to recognize the service of Australian personnel during World War II. The medal was established in 1949 and was awarded to those who served in the Australian Armed Forces, or in any other capacity, in a theatre of war between the years 1939 and 1945.

Design

The medal features the effigy of King George VI on the obverse, surrounded by the inscription "GEORGIVS VI D:G: BR:OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP:". The reverse side of the medal bears the Australian Coat of Arms, surrounded by the inscription "THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945".

Ribbon

The ribbon of the medal features a central stripe of light khaki, flanked by narrow stripes of red, with a dark blue border on the left, and light blue on the right. The colours represent the branches of the Imperial Defence Force.

The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 recognizes the vital role that Australian service personnel played during World War II, both at home and abroad. It is a symbol of the bravery, dedication, and sacrifice of those who served in the Australian Armed Forces during this significant period in history. The medal is a reminder of the significant contributions that Australians made during World War II, and it is a testament to the legacy of the brave men and women who served their country during this challenging time.

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.

Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 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.

Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 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.

Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 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.

Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 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.

Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 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.