Everipedia Logo
Everipedia is now IQ.wiki - Join the IQ Brainlist and our Discord for early access to editing on the new platform and to participate in the beta testing.
Australia Service Medal 1939–1945

Australia Service Medal 1939–1945

The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 recognises service in Australia's armed forces, Mercantile Marine and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.

Australia Service Medal 1939–1945
Australia Service Medal 1939-45. Obverse.jpgAustralia Service Medal 1939-45. Reverse.jpg
Obverse and reverse of the medal
Awarded by Australia
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forService in World War II
ClaspsNone
Statistics
EstablishedNovember 1949
Total awardedCirca 600,000, including awards made post 1996[1]
RelatedAustralian Service Medal 1945–1975, Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 BAR.svg
Ribbon bar

Award criteria

Initially, the qualifying period was at least 18 months full-time service at home or overseas, or at least three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. There was no minimum qualifying period for those killed, wounded or disabled due to service. On 16 August 1996, the qualifying period was reduced to 30 days for full-time service and 90 days for part-time service.[1]

Australian Forces also qualified for the campaign stars and medals authorised for British and Commonwealth Forces,[2] with the Australia Service Medal worn immediately after the War Medal 1939–1945.[3]

Description

  • The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a circular cupro-nickel medal, 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter.[1]

  • The obverse bears the crowned effigy of King George VI, surrounded by the inscription 'GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP'.[4]

  • The reverse shows the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Australia surrounded by the words 'THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939–1945'.[4]

  • The 32 millimetres (1.3 in) wide medal ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, with edge stripes of dark blue on the left and light blue on the right. The khaki represents the Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Mercantile Marine, Navy and Air Force respectively.[4][5]

Medals were awarded with the recipient's name impressed on the rim.[1]

See also

  • Australian Honours Order of Precedence

  • Australian campaign medals

References

[1]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgJohn W. Mussell, editor (2015). Medal Yearbook 2015. Token Publishing Limited, Honiton, Devon. p. 193.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[2]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgH. Taprell Dorling (1956). Ribbons and Medals. A. H. Baldwin & Son, London. p. 102.
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.thegazette.co.uk"No. 40204". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 1954. p. 3538.
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[4]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgJoslin, Litherland and Simpkin (1988). British Battles and Medals. Spink, London. p. 256.
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.defence.gov.au"Defence Honours & Awards". Australian Department of Defence. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.defence.gov.auADF Honours and Awards
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.pmc.gov.auIt's an Honour
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.thegazette.co.uk"No. 40204"
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.defence.gov.au"Defence Honours & Awards"
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.defence.gov.auADF Honours and Awards
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.pmc.gov.auIt's an Honour
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM
[12]
Citation Linken.wikipedia.orgThe original version of this page is from Wikipedia, you can edit the page right here on Everipedia.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Additional terms may apply.See everipedia.org/everipedia-termsfor further details.Images/media credited individually (click the icon for details).
Oct 1, 2019, 10:00 PM