| |
|
::
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.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
::
Cadet
Forces Medal
|
|
 Ribbon:
A broad green central band bordered by thin red
stripes flanked by a dark blue stripe (left) and light
blue stripe (right) with yellow edges.
Medal:
On the front an effigy of the reigning monarch. On the
rear a hand
holding aloft the torch of learning.
Instituted
in 1950. Awarded to commissioned officers and
adult NCOs of the cadet forces for 12 years service. A
bar is awarded for each additional 6 years. |
|
|
:: General
Service Medal |
|
 Ribbon:
Deep purple edged with green.
Medal:
On the front the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth
II. On the rear an oak wreath enclosing a crown and
the words "For campaign Service". It has a
beaded and curved suspension above which are mounted
campaign clasps.
Instituted
in 1962. This medal is awarded to personnel of all
services who have been engaged in minor campaigns
and operations since 1962 that have not been
recognised by the award of a specific campaign
medal. Each minor campaign or operation is
recognised by the award of a clasp. Twelve clasps
have been authorised to date. |
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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 18 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
:: 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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
::
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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
::
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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
::
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. |
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
| ::
World
War II Medals |
|
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
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
|
|
::
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.
|
|
|
|
Return
to top of page |
|
