- 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 1939-1945 Star
The 1939–1945 Star is a military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 8 July 1943 for operational service overseas.
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.
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 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 India Service Medal
The India Service Medal – 1939-1945 is a Commonwealth campaign medal awarded to Indian Forces for three years service in India in WW2.
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 Africa Star
The Africa Star is a military campaign medal awarded to those who served in the Second World War specifically in North Africa.
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal was created to honor those from Newfoundland & Labrador who served in British Forces.
