Awards of
World War IIThe British Commonwealth Defense Medal is a decoration created to recognize both military and civilian personnel who served the British Crown during World War II.
Materials
Silver or cupronickel.
Award recipient
Both military and civilian personnel.
Reasons for award
Service for at least 180 days in combat zones, 360 days outside combat zones, or 1,080 days in the United Kingdom.
The British Defense Medal is round, 36 mm in diameter. The obverse features a portrait of King George VI, bareheaded and facing left. Around the rim is the inscription "George VI, by the Grace of God, King of the Britannia, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India." The reverse features the Royal Crown, resting on oak branches, flanked by a lion and lioness. The date 1939 is in the upper left corner, and 1945 is in the upper right. At the bottom of the medal are the words "DEFENSE MEDAL" in two lines.
The award ribbon consists of a fiery red center, surrounded by green stripes, symbolizing enemy aggression on the green lands of Great Britain, and narrow black stripes symbolizing military action.
Service for at least three years in Great Britain during the period of active hostilities in Europe from September 1939 to May 1945.
Service during this same period not completed due to injury or wound, entitling one to the wound stripe. (In the event of death due to enemy action, the next of kin may receive the Defence Medal.)
If, notwithstanding the three-year requirement, you received a Distinguished Service Badge, Medal, or Royal Commendation for Gallantry, or the Royal Thanks for valuable air service, provided that at the time of receipt of these distinctions, you served in one of the categories eligible for the Defence Medal.
If you served outside the UK. The qualifying criterion is reduced to one year outside the combat zone and up to six months inside the combat zone, as well as in areas subject to regular air raids. The criterion for service outside the UK may be added pro rata to the length of service within the UK.
If you served for at least three months in the mine clearing field.