- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: May 1945
- Country: Great Britain, Australia
The Defence Medal is a campaign medal that was instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 and awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for both non-operational military and certain types of civilian service during the Second World War.
The Defence Medal was awarded to British, British Commonwealth, and British Colonial personnel who served from or outside their home countries in a non-operational area or in an area subject to threat, such as attacks from the air; and for non-operational service in the Armed Forces, the Home Guard, the Civil Defence Service and other approved civilian services. The length of qualifying service required for the award of the Defence Medal varied, depending on where and in what role an individual served.
Eligible civilian service in the United Kingdom included civilian services whose members were eligible for Chevrons for war service (Civil Defence services, fire service, police, civil air transport, nurses, lighthouse keeps and Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence among others.)
The Defence Medal Design
The medal measures 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) in diameter. The British issue medals were struck in cupro-nickel, while those awarded in Canada were struck in silver.
The obverse of the Defence Medal shows the bareheaded effigy of King George VI, facing left. Around the perimeter is the legend “GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP.”
The reverse shows the Royal Crown resting on an oak sapling, flanked by a lion and a lioness above stylised waves. At the top left is the year “1939” and at the top right the year “1945”. The exerguehas the words “THE DEFENCE MEDAL” in two lines.
Find This Campaign Medal
More WW2 British Campaign Medals
During World War II (1939–1945) British campaign medals were awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and civilians for active service in specific military campaigns or operations. These included:
The Atlantic Star
The Atlantic Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for the Battle of the Atlantic.
The Arctic Star
The Arctic Star is a military campaign medal which was instituted for service on the Arctic Convoys north of the Arctic Circle in WW2.
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal is a British medal granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada.
The Africa Service Medal
The Africa Service Medal is a South African campaign medal instituted by King George VI and awarded for service during the Second World War.
The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a military medal (Great Britain, Australia) that recognizes service in Australia’s armed forces, Mercantile Marine, and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
The Italy Star
The Italy Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for service in the Italian Campaign 1943 to 1945.
The Burma Star
The Burma Star is a military campaign medal for award to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served in the Burma Campaign.
The New Zealand War Service Medal
The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM) was awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces and Reserves during WW2.
