- Time Period: Second World War
- Institution: 30 January 1947
- Country: Belgium
The 1940–1945 Colonial War Effort Medal (Médaille de l’Effort de Guerre Colonial 1940-1945 / Medaille voor de Koloniale Oorlogsinspanning 1940-1945) is a Belgian war service medal established on 30 January 1947 by royal decree of the Regent and awarded to government civil servants, magistrates, volunteer members of the female auxiliary service, missionaries, civilian agents of the different departments and civilians who served honorably for at least one year in the Belgian Congo or Ruanda-Urundi colonies of the Kingdom of Belgium in Africa between 10 May 1940 and 7 May 1945.
Those eligible for the award of both the 1940–1945 Colonial War Effort Medal and the 1940–1945 African War Medal could only receive one of the two, usually the one earned for the longest service.
The 1940-1945 Colonial War Effort Medal Design
The medal measures 31mm wide by 52mm high, and is struck bronze. It’s rectangular with sloping upper corners.
The obverse bears, at its upper center, an embossed five-pointed star above the relief inscription on five rows “1940” “1945” “PRO PATRIA” “ET” “VICTORIA” between vertical laurel leaves. The reverse is plain.
The ribbon is 37mm wide yellow silk moiré with 5mm wide light blue edge stripes. The medal is suspended by a ring through a lateral suspension hole.
