:: Medals of the British Army

One of the interesting aspects of the military is the award of medals for service to the crown. These take several different forms. There are long service medals rewarding time served in the forces. There are campaign medals that record the various wars and actions in which a recipient has been involved. There are gallantry medals to reward heroism. There are medals to celebrate royal occasions. There are medals to reward outstanding service to crown and country. The list is inexhaustible. 

Below are a few of the medals you may come across from time to time as you meet ex-members of the forces serving in the ACF and attached in Cadet Training Teams, etc. The medals are not listed in order of precedence or importance. 

The most commonly encountered medals in the ACF are the Cadet Forces Medal and the Queen's Jubilee Medal followed by the General Service Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. You can read all about them below.

Medal collecting is a very popular hobby, although at £50,000 for a VC and about £200 for a South Atlantic Medal it can be expensive. However, Second World War medals can be obtained for about £10 - £15 depending on the campaign. 

:: Medals

Click on the medals named below to see a photograph and description. Click on the photograph to see an enlarged image.

  :: Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal

Ribbon: Blue with thin red stripes at the edges, a broad white stripe in the centre and a thin red stripe down the middle of it.

Medal: a cupro-nickel medal gilt finished. On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. On the rear the royal coat of arms surmounted with a crown and the years 1952 and 2002 to the left and right respectively.

Issued in June 2002 to mark the golden anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Cadet Force Officers and Adult Instructors with a total of 5 training years service, providing the service period includes 6 February 2002 and they are part of an established post. The person must have started on or before 7 February 1997 and the year 2001-2002 must be part of the service period. Previous periods of Regular or TA service also counted towards the award.

  :: Accumulated Service Medal

Ribbon: Purple with green stripes down the side and a thin gold stripe down the centre.

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. On the rear the inscription "For Accumulated Campaign Service" set within a four part ribbon surrounded by a branch of oak leaves with laurel and olive leaves woven through the motto ribbon.

Instituted in 1994. This medal is awarded to holders of the General Service Medal 1962 on completion of 36 months accumulated campaign service since August 14, 1969. Further periods of 36 months are denoted by a clasp.

  :: Long Service & Good Conduct

Ribbon: Plain crimson with white stripes along the edges.

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. On the rear the words "For Long Service and Good Conduct" A fixed suspension bar was added in 1930 bearing the words "Regular Army".

This medal was instituted in 1830 and has since undergone a number of changes. It is awarded for 15 years service in the ranks.

 :: South Atlantic Medal

Ribbon: Watered silk blue, white green, white and blue.

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. On the rear laurel wreath below the arms of the Falkland Islands with "South Atlantic Medal" inscribed around the top.

Instituted in 1982. Awarded to all personnel who took part in operations in the South Atlantic for the liberation of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands following the Argentine invasion. To qualify the recipient had to have at least one days service in the Falklands or South Georgia or 30 days in the operational zone including Ascension island. Those qualifying for the first condition were additionally awarded a large rosette for wear on the ribbon.

  :: Territorial Efficiency Medal

Ribbon: Since 1967 the ribbon has been half blue and half green, edged with yellow.

Medal: An oval silver medal. On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse is inscribed "For Efficient Service". The suspender is a fixed bar decorated with a pair of palm leaves surmounted by a scroll bearing the word "Territorial"

Originally instituted in 1908, the medal and its conditions of award has undergone numerous changes and modifications. The basic qualification for award was 12 years efficient service in the ranks but war service and peacetime service in West Africa counted double. This medal was discontinued in 1992.

  :: Gulf War

Ribbon: Sand coloured broad central band flanked by narrow stripes of dark blue, red and light blue (left) or light blue, red and dark blue (right).

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. On the rear an eagle and automatic rifle superimposed on an anchor. The words "The Gulf Medal" appear above graphic and the dates "1990-1991 appear below.

Awarded to personnel who had served in the Middle East including Cyprus during specific periods between 1990 and 1991. Two campaign clasps were sanctioned. A rosette is worn on the ribbon to denote award of a campaign clasp.

 :: Territorial Decoration (TD)

Ribbon: Since 1967, half blue, half green with a central yellow stripe.

Decoration: Silver and silver gilt. An oval skeletal badge in silver and silver-gilt with a crowned monogram in an oak wreath, the ring for suspension being fitted to the top of the crown. The ribbon was suspended from a bar inscribed with the word "Territorial"

Originally instituted in 1908, the medal and its conditions of award has undergone numerous changes and modifications. The basic qualification for award was 12 years efficient service as an officer but war service and peacetime service in West Africa counted double. The recipient was allowed the post nominal letters TD. This medal was discontinued in 1992.

 :: Iraq

Ribbon: The ribbon is a sand colour with three central stripes of black, white and red.

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse shows an ancient Assyrian Lamussu sculpture above the word Iraq.

The Iraq Medal marks service in, and in support of, operations in Iraq from 20 January 2003, and can be awarded to UK Armed Forces and civilian personnel, including embedded media, and certain foreign nationals assigned to the operation.

 :: Volunteer Reserve Service Medal

Ribbon: A green ribbon with a thick central stripe comprising a thin yellow stripe, thick dark blue, red, light blue stripes and a thin yellow stripe.

Medal: An oval silver medal. On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse is inscribed "For Service In The Volunteer Reserves" over an oak leaf and acorn branch.

Introduced in 1992 to replace the Territorial Efficiency Medal. The basic qualification for award for all ranks is 10 years efficient service  Increments of 5 years additional service qualify for a clasp to the medal.

 :: United Nations

Ribbon: Various, depending on the campaign. Illustrated pale blue ribbon with central white stripe bordered in dark blue. For service UN Forces in Cyprus from 1964.

Medal: A bronze medal. On the front, the wreathed globe emblem surmounted by the letters "UN". The reverse side is plain with the inscription "In The Service Of Peace"

Instituted in 1951. Awarded for various supervisory or observation roles since 1948.

 :: Queen's Volunteer Reserve Medal

Ribbon: Yellow with two broad black stripes.

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the state crown. On the rear the inscription "The Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal" set within a five part ribbon.

This medal was instituted in 1992 and is awarded for exceptional service in all arms and branches the Reserve Forces. The recipient is permitted to use the post nominal letters QVRM.

 :: NATO

Ribbon: NATO blue with a narrow white stripe towards each edge.

Medal: A bronze medal. On the front, the NATO star emblem set in a wreath of olive leaves. On the rear, the title "North Atlantic Treaty Organisation" and the words "In Service of Peace and Freedom" in English and French.

Instituted on 24 December 1994. Awarded for any theatre of operations in the service of NATO. This medal was first instituted to reward personnel serving in the former Yugoslavia for 30 days continuously or accumulated

 :: Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal

Ribbon: White with thin red stripes at the edges, abroad blue strip in the centre and a thin red stripe in the middle of it.

Medal: On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the state crown, the first time this image was used on a medal. On the rear a crown and wreath enclosing the words "The 25th Year Of The Reign Of Queen Elizabeth II 6 February 1977".

This medal was issued in 1977 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. It was issued in strictly limited numbers to the forces.

 :: Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

Ribbon: White with blue edges and a red central stripe.

Medal: A cross patteé imposed on a wreath of laurel, with the royal crown in a circular panel in the centre. Suspended by a ring  from a plain suspension bar.

This medal replaced the DSO for gallantry as well as the Distinguished Gallantry Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. it was first awarded to Corporal Wayne Mills of the Duke of Wellington's regiment for gallantry in action during service with the UN in Bosnia in 1995.

 :: British Empire Medal (BEM)

Ribbon: Rose pink ribbon with pearl grey edges and a central thin pearl grey stripe.

Medal: Front, the seated figure of Britannia, left hand resting on a shied right hand holding a trident with a blazing sun upper right. The words "For God And The Empire" inscribed around the upper circumference. rear has six lions passant gardant  with the royal cipher in the centre surmounted by a crown. At the base of the medal the words "Meritorious Service". The medal is suspended from a straight bar ornamented with oak leaves.

Instituted in 1922 it was awarded for meritorious service by both civilian and military personnel. No longer an award.

 :: George Cross (GC)

Ribbon: Dark blue. A silver miniature cross emblem is worn on the ribbon alone.

Medal: A plain bordered cross with a circular medallion in the centre depicting the effigy of St George and the Dragon surrounded by the words "For Gallantry". In the angle of each limb is the royal cipher. The plain reverse bears the name of the recipient and the date of the award. The cross hangs by a ring from a bar adorned with laurel leaves.

Instituted in 1940 it is the highest gallantry award for civilians as well as for members of the armed forces in actions for which military honours would not normally be given.

 :: Member of the British Empire (MBE)

Ribbon: Rose pink ribbon with pearl grey edges and a central thin pearl grey stripe (military).

Medal: The badge in frosted silver, a cross patonce. In the centre within a circle the left facing crowned busts of KG V and Queen Mary, surrounded by a circle inscribed "For God And The Empire"

Instituted in 1917 it is awarded for meritorious service by both civilian and military personnel. 

 :: Military Cross (MC)

Ribbon: three equal bars of white, deep purple and white.

Medal: An ornamental cross with straight arms terminating in straight finials  decorated with imperial crowns. The royal cipher appears at the centre  and the cross is suspended from a plain silver suspension bar.

Instituted in 1914 it is awarded to personnel of rank major and below for gallantry in action. 

 :: Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Ribbon: Rose pink ribbon with pearl grey edges and a central thin pearl grey stripe (military).

Medal: The badge in silver-gilt, a cross patonce. In the centre within a circle the left facing crowned busts of KG V and Queen Mary, surrounded by a circle inscribed "For God And The Empire"

Instituted in 1917 it is awarded for meritorious service by both civilian and military personnel. 

 :: Mention in Despatches

This emblem, an oak leaf in bronze, was instituted by the King in May 1920, to denote that the wearer had been "Mentioned in Despatches" and was first issued in October of that year. The emblem is worn on the medal ribbon of the campaign in which it was earned or on the tunic over the left breast pocket where no medal has been earned.

 :: Commander of the British Empire (CBE)

Ribbon: Rose pink ribbon with pearl grey edges and a central thin pearl grey stripe (military).

Medal: The badge is in the form of a cross patonce, the obverse of which bears the same field the star (that is, either Britannia or George V and Queen Mary); the reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. Both are within a ring bearing the motto of the Order. The badge of Commander is enamelled with pale blue crosses and crimson rings;

Instituted in 1917 it is awarded for meritorious service by both civilian and military personnel. 

 :: Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct

Instituted in 1939 to acknowledge brave acts by civilians and members of the military in non-warlike circumstances during a time of war or in peacetime where the action would not otherwise be recognized by an existing award. 

In 1954 it became the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.

There is no ribbon, but the award was evidenced by a certificate and in the first stages, by a gold and red coloured badge bearing the design of a sword in a wreath, surmounted by a crown. 

The badge was replaced at a later stage by the badge as pictured above.

A group of World War Two medals awarded to Marine Richard Glass. The group comprises from left to right: 1939-1945 Star, The Atlantic Star, The Africa Star with North Africa 1942-43 clasp, The Italy Star, The Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45

:: World War I Medals

A group of World War One medals awarded to Marine Richard Glass, the father of the above marine. The group comprises from left to right: 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Fewer medals were struck for WW1 than WW2 and the grouping pictured is fairly typical.