Remembrance Events Australian Military Medals
Medals and Honours
Until the 1970s, Australian military personnel were awarded Imperial Medals through the British Empire. After that, Australia began issuing is own medals through the Australian honours system. Generally, medals are awarded for three categories of service. Note that not every medal is awarded for bravery.
Campaign or service medals
These recognise operational service overseas. Some campaigns have their own, separate medal. Veterans of World War II were awarded the 1939 -45 Star; veterans of the campaign in North Africa also received the Africa Star. Australians who have served in conflict zones receive the Australian Active Service Medal under the current honours system. Veterans of the war in Iraq have received the Iraq Medal. Members of the ADF who have served in Afghanistan since 11 October 2001 receive the Afghanistan Medal.
Medals for good work
These medals recognise exceptional service in peace or war. Under the Imperial system, an individual may be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Under the Australian system individuals may be made a Companion or Member of the Order of Australia (AC or AM), or be awarded a Defence Force medal, such as a Conspicuous Service Medal or Cross (CSM or CSC).
Medals for bravery
These are awarded for bravery or distinguished command in battle. Under the Imperial system gallantry could be recognised by the award of a Military Cross (MC), while under the Australian system similar conduct can be awarded a Medal for Gallantry (MG). Under the Imperial system a commanding officer might be awarded a Distinguished Service Order (DSO), while under the Australian System the same individual would receive a Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). The most coveted medal, awarded for valour “in the presence of the enemy” is the Victoria Cross (VC). Under the Australian system its full name is the Victoria Cross for Australia (commonly shorted to Victoria Cross or VC). To date, 99 Australians have been awarded the VC. Three have been awarded to soldiers for actions in Afghanistan. Servicepeople who are awarded medals in the latter two categories are generally permitted to place letters after their names, indicating their awards. If a soldier is awarded a medal twice (he or she may demonstrate bravery on two separate occasions) a second medal is not awarded; instead, a rosette is placed on the medal’s ribbon. This is described as a “bar”, as in “the officer was awarded a Military Cross and bar.”
The Order of wearing Australian Honours and Awards
The Governor-General notifies for general information the positioning of the wearing of Australian Orders, Decorations and Medals. This notification incorporates the positioning of the following awards: the Afghanistan Medal (notified in Special Gazette No. S422 of 22 October 2004); the Iraq Medal (notified in Special Gazette No. S421 of 22 October 2004); and the Australian Defence Medal (notified in Special Gazette No. S48 of 30 March 2006).
The Schedule, together with the Annexes to the Schedule, incorporates the new positioning of these awards and supersedes that notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S101 of 4 April 2002.
Honours and Awards listed in the Schedule and Annexes are:
• those within the Australian System of Honours and Awards;
• those conferred by The Sovereign in exercise of the Royal Prerogative;
• those within the Order of St John; and
• foreign awards, the acceptance and wearing of which have been authorised by the Governor- General.
• all imperial British awards made to Australian citizens after 5 October 1992 are foreign awards and should be worn accordingly.
The Wearing of Medals and Decorations
The policy as it stands is that on the death of a recipient, technically, any honours and awards revert to the commonwealth in the first instance. The reality of course is that family members have an ambient claim and the commonwealth would not seek to intervene in medals being passed on directly within the family.
Family members may wear their forebears medals on the right breast which indicates that they are not their own. There is no limitation or formal policy on what occasions they should be worn. In essence, the wearing of forebear's medals on the right breast is a convention passed down over the years that is largely dictated by the occasion and (ideally) a measure of decorum fitting the event. They should not be worn lightly or where it would be inappropriate to do so.
For uniformed personnel, on ANZAC and Remembrance days only, modification of normal service dress code is allowed whereby they wear their own medals on the left breast accompanied (if they wish) by their ancestor's on the right.
War Medals (with certain exceptions) are worn on the left breast of the coat, or in a corresponding place on the dress, as the case may be. They will be worn in a horizontal line, suspended from a single bar, of which no part is to be seen, or stitched to the garment. When worn on the coat, the coat should be buttoned up.
The length of the drop between the top of the ribbon and the bottom of each medal should measure 9.5cm for full size medals and 5cm for miniatures. War medals are worn to show the Sovereign's head.
War medals (or Campaign medals) are worn in the order of the dates of Campaigns for which they have been conferred, the first obtained being farthest from the left shoulder.
Miniature Medals
The only time these should be worn are on occasions when evening dress or a dinner jacket is worn at a dinner or evening function.
Wearing of non-official medals
The RSL actively discourages the wearing of non official medals at RSL and other ceremonial or commemorative functions. If Commemorative Medals are worn, they should be positioned on the right breast and not mixed with Service Medals or Decorations.
The Awards and National Symbols Branch of the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet further states:
"Over a number of years some ex-service organisations have created and distributed 'commemorative' medals to mark Particular periods of military service. These medals have no official status.
You should be aware that the government has created a number of official medals that commemorate certain events, for example, the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal, the Australian Sports Medal and the "Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal".
Only those medals, decorations and honours, which have been created under the prerogative of the Crown, have official status. Such medals should be worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards on the left breast either on an official uniform or civilian dress.
Official medals worn by relatives of a deceased veteran should be worn on the right breast.
Ideally, unofficial medals should not be worn. However if they are worn as the occasion demands, they may be worn on the right breast.
This advice is based on official protocol and practice'.
Fraudulent Wearing of Medals
No person, with the exception of a direct descendant of a deceased service man or woman, may wear medals which have not been awarded to him or her personally. This also applies to the wearing of miniature medals and medal ribbons.
Fraudulent wearing of medals attracts penalties under Federal regulations and also attracts subsequent penalties under the RSL Constitution.
Australian Military Medals
Victoria Cross 1854 - 1991
The Victoria Cross is the pre-eminent award for acts of bravery in wartime and is Australia's highest military honour. The Victoria Cross is awarded to persons who, in the presence of the enemy, display the most conspicuous gallantry; a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice; or extreme devotion to duty.
History
The Victoria Cross was created by Queen Victoria in 1856 and made retrospective to 1854 to cover the period of the Crimea War. Until the Victoria Cross for Australia was created in 1991, Australians were eligible for the Victoria Cross and other awards under the Imperial system of honours.
The Imperial Victoria Cross has been awarded to ninety six Australians. Ninety one received the Victoria Cross while others serving with Australian forces and five Australians received the award while serving with South African and British units.
Australians were first recognised for their gallantry in the Boer War and more recently during the Vietnam War.
Past recipients
Australians have been awarded the Victoria Cross in the following conflicts:
- 6 in the Boer War 1899-1902
- 64 in World War I 1914-1918
- 2 in North Russia 1919
- 20 in World War II 1939-1945
- 4 in Vietnam 1962-1972
Nine of the crosses awarded in World War I were for Australians at Gallipoli.
Ninety six Australians have been awarded the Imperial Victoria Cross.
The first Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross was Captain Sir Neville Howse VC KCMG CB KStJ during the Boer War (1900). He also served in World War I and later as Commonwealth Minister for Health, Defence and Repatriation.
Victoria Cross for Australia 1991-
The Victoria Cross for Australia was instituted in the Australian honours system by Letters Patent on 15 January 1991. It replaced the British or Imperial Victoria Cross.
How it is awarded
The Governor-General awards the Victoria Cross, with the approval of the Sovereign, on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence. The Victoria Cross may be awarded posthumously. The post-nominal entitlement for the Victoria Cross is VC. A subsequent award of the Victoria Cross to the same person is made as a bar to the Cross. They are also entitled to the post-nominal VC and Bar.
Medal design
The Victoria Cross is designed in the form of the Maltese Cross: in the centre of the medal is a lion guardant standing upon the Royal Crown.
The words "For valour" are inscribed below. The Victoria Cross is suspended from a bar by a crimson ribbon. On the reverse of the cross the date of the act of bravery is inscribed, along with the name, rank, and unit of the recipient.
Recipients
- Corporal Mark Donaldson, VC (then a Trooper) was awarded the first Victoria Cross for Australia.
- Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG was the second recipient of the award.
- Corporal Daniel Keighran, VC was the third recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia
Boar War
Queen's South Africa Medal
The Queen's South Africa Medal was awarded for service in the Boer War in South Africa . The Australian colonies raised units and a number of Australians who were not able to join Australian units enlisted in British and South African units.
The Medal
The Queen's South Africa Medal is a silver and bronze medal with the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria on the obverse. The reverse has Britannia with a flag in her left hand holding out a laurel wreath to a party of advancing soldiers. In the background are two warships. Below the wreath the dates ‘1899-1900' are shown. Around the top are the words ‘SOUTH AFRICA'.
The Ribbon
The Queen's South Africa Medal ribbon has a broad orange central stripe flanked by two dark blue stripes and red edges.
Clasps
Twenty six clasps were issued for the Queen's South Africa Medal. Of these, the following clasps were issued to Australian State or Commonwealth units or to individuals who served from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902:
- Cape Colony 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902
- Natal 11 October 1899 to 17 May 1900
- Rhodesia 11 October 1899 to 17 May 1900
- Relief of Mafeking 17 May 1900
- Belmont 23 November 1899
- Modder River 28 November 1899
- Relief of Kimberley 15 February 1900
- Paardeberg 17 to 26 February 1900
- Orange Free State 28 February 1900 to 31 May 1902
- Driefontein 10 March 1900
- Wepener 9 to 25 April 1900
- Transvaal 24 May 1900 to 31 May 1902
- Johannesburg 31 May 1900
- Diamond Hill 11 to 12 June 1900
- Wittegergen 1 to 29 July 1900
- Belfast 26 to 27 August 1900
- South Africa 1901 * 1 January 1901 to 31 December 1901
- South Africa 1902 * 1 January 1902 to 31 May 1902
* Either the clasp South Africa 1901 or South Africa 1902 were issued if the recipient was not eligible for the award of the King's South Africa Medal
King's South Africa Medal
Following Queen Victoria 's death during the South African War, King Edward VII authorised a medal to be awarded to all who were serving in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902, and who would complete 18 months service before 1 June 1902. The medal was never issued alone, but always with the Queen's Medal.
The Medal
The King's South Africa Medal is silver with the bust of King Edward VII on the obverse. The reverse is the same as the Queen's South Africa Medal.
The Ribbon
The King's South Africa Medal ribbon has stripes of green, white and orange.
Clasps
Two clasps were issued:
- South Africa 1901
- South Africa 1902
Eligibility
Awarded to those serving in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902 and who would complete 18 months service before 1 June 1902.
World War I Medals
1914 Star
The 1914 Star was authorised in April 1917 to be awarded to those who served in France or Belgium on the strength of a unit, or who served in either of those two countries between 5 August 1914 and midnight on 22/23 November 1914. A recipient of the 1914 Star could not also be awarded the 1914–15 Star.
The Medal
The 1914 Star is a four pointed star of bright bronze, ensigned with a crown. The obverse has crossed gladius, overlaid with an oak wreath that is ensigned with the cypher of King George V. Interlaced in the crossed blades of the gladius is an ‘S' shaped scroll bearing the words ‘AUG', ‘1914', ‘NOV'.
The Ribbon
The 1914 Star ribbon has the red white and blue colours of the Empire, in shaded and watered stripes.
Clasps
A bronze clasp inscribed ‘5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914' was issued to those ‘who actually served under the fire of the enemy in France and Belgium' between those dates.When the ribbon is worn alone, recipients of the clasp to the medal wear a small silver rose on the ribbon bar.
1914-1915 Star
The 1914–15 Star was authorised in 1918 and was awarded for service in specified theatres of war between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. A recipient of the 1914 Star could not also be awarded the 1914–15 Star.
The Medal
The 1914-15 Star is a four pointed star of bright bronze, ensigned with a crown. The obverse has crossed gladius, overlaid with an oak wreath that is ensigned with the cypher of King George V. A scroll bearing the legend 1914-15 is centrally placed across the crossed blades.
The Ribbon
The 1914-15 Star ribbon has the red white and blue colours of the Empire, in shaded and watered stripes. The same ribbon is used for the 1914 Star and the 1914–15 Star.
Clasps
No clasps were issued for the 1914–15 Star.
Eligibility
The 1914-15 Star may be awarded to those who saw service in a prescribed Theatre of War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915.
British War Medal 1914-20
Instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I and record the service given. The qualification period was later extended to cover post-war mine clearance and service in Russia during 1919 and 1920.
The Medal
The British War Medal is cupro-nickel with the effigy of George V on the obverse. The reverse has an image of St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and cross-bones, the emblems of death. Above this is the risen sun of victory. The years 1914 and 1918 are contained on the outside edge medal.
The Ribbon
The British War Medal has a wide central watered stripe of orange, flanked by two narrow white stripes, which are in turn flanked by two black pin-stripes, further flanked by two outer stripes of blue. The colours have no particular significance.
Eligibility
The British War Medal was awarded for service in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Those eligible included members of women's organisations; persons on the staffs of military hospitals and members of recognised organisations who handled sick and wounded; and members of other duly recognised or other authorised organisations as specified in medal regulations. The qualification period was later extended to cover post-war mine clearance and service in Russia during 1919 and 1920.
The Mercantile Marine Medal
The Mercantile Marine Medal was awarded to members of the Mercantile Marine who served on one or more voyage through a danger zone.
The Medal
The Mercantile Marine Medal is bronze with the effigy of George V on the obverse. The reverse shows a merchant ship moving through rough seas, with a sinking submarine and sailing vessel in the background. The base of the reverse has the words ‘FOR WAR SERVICE MERCANTILE MARINE 1914-1918', all surrounded by a laurel wreath.
The Ribbon
The Mercantile Marine Medal ribbon has a narrow central stripe of white, flanked by green and red stripes. The design represents the starboard, steaming and port lights of a vessel.
Eligibility
The Mercantile Marine Medal was awarded to those who qualified for the British War Medal and could supply evidence of having served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone.
Victory Medal
The Victory Medal was authorised in 1919 to commemorate the victory of the Allied Forces over the Central Powers. Each of the Allied nations issued a ‘Victory Medal' to their own nationals with all of these having the figure of Victory on the obverse as a common feature. Australians were awarded the medal issued by Great Britain.
A member mentioned in despatches (MID) for service during World War 1 wears a bronze spray of oak leaves on the Victory Medal ribbon. Only one emblem is worn no matter how many times a member may have been ‘mentioned'. When a ribbon alone is worn a slightly smaller insignia is worn as a ribbon emblem.
The Medal
The Victory Medal is bronze with a winged figure of Victory on the obverse. The reverse has the words ‘THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION', all surrounded by a laurel wreath.
The Ribbon
The Victory Medal ribbon has a ‘two rainbow' design, with the violet from each rainbow on the outside edges moving through to a central red stripe where both rainbows meet.
Eligibility
The Victory Medal was awarded to prescribed classes of persons who entered a theatre of war on duty between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.
World WarII Medals
1939-1945 Star
The 1939-45 Star may be awarded for those who undertook operational service during World War II.
The Medal
The 1939-45 Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The 1939-45 Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The 1939-45 Star ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue stripe the Air Forces.
Clasps
The ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN' clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain. When the ribbon is worn alone a gilt rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of the ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN' clasp.
The ‘BOMBER COMMAND’ clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew. When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of the ‘BOMBER COMMAND’ clasp.Eligibility
The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for:
- a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel
- a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel
- a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations
The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Atlantic Star
The Atlantic Star was awarded to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. It was designed primarily for convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces, as well as for crews of fast merchant ships that sailed alone.
The Medal
The Atlantic Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Atlantic Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The Atlantic Star ribbon has three vertical stripes of blue, white and sea green, shaded and watered. The colours represent the colours of the Atlantic Ocean.
Clasps
Two clasps were issued for the Atlantic Star:
• Air Crew Europe
• France and Germany
Regulations only allow one clasp to be worn with the Star. When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.Eligibility
Awarded for six months service afloat, in the Navy, the Merchant Navy and by Army and Air Force personnel serving on HM Ships, in the Atlantic and Home Waters. Awarded to aircrew who have taken part in operations against the enemy at sea within the qualifying areas for Naval personnel, subject to two months service in an operational unit after earning the 1939-1945 Star. Qualifying dates are 3 September 1939 to 8 May
1945. Air Crew Europe Star
The Air Crew Europe Star was awarded for operational flying from United Kingdom bases over Europe between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944. A person must first be entitled to the 1939-45 Star before qualifying for the Air Crew Europe Star.
The Medal
The Air Crew Europe Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Air Crew Europe Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The Air Crew Europe Star ribbon is light blue with yellow and black outer stripes. The colours represent the continuous service of the Air Forces by night and day.
Clasps
Two clasps were issued for the Air Crew Europe Star:
• Atlantic
• France and Germany
Regulations only allow one clasp to be worn with the Star. When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
Arctic Star
The Arctic Star is awarded to those who served in areas above the Arctic Circle during World War II. The Arctic Star is intended to commemorate service in the Arctic Convoys and is designed primarily for the ships of the convoys to North Russia and their escorts.
The Medal
The Arctic Star is a yellow copper zinc alloy in the form of a six–pointed star. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘THE ARCTIC STAR’.
The Ribbon
The Arctic Star ribbon has stripes of light blue, dark blue, red and white.
Eligibility
The Arctic Star is granted for operational service of any length north of the Arctic Circle from 3 September 1939 to the 8 May 1945 inclusive.
Africa Star
The Africa Star was granted for operational service in North Africa from the date of the entry of Italy into the war on 10 June 1940, up to the date of the cessation of operations against the enemy in North Africa on 12 May 1943.
The Africa Star may also be awarded for operational service as a member of the Australian Defence Force during the Syrian Campaign in the period from 8 June 1941 to 11 July 1941.
The Medal
The Africa Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Africa Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The Africa Star ribbon colours represent the desert and the service of the Armies, Naval Forces, Merchant Navy and the Air Forces.
Clasps
Three clasps were issued for the Africa Star:
• 8 th Army
• 1 st Army
• North Africa 1942-43
Only one clasp is worn and when the ribbon is worn alone a ribbon emblem, ‘8', ‘1' or silver rosette as appropriate is worn to denote the award of a clasp.Eligibility
This medal is awarded for a minimum of one days operational service in North Africa, west of the Suez Canal between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 and in Syria between 8 June 1941 and 11 July 1941.
Pacific Star
The Pacific Star was awarded for operational service in the Pacific theatre between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Navy and Merchant Navy personnel are eligible if the 1939-45 Star is earned by six months service or if they entered the Pacific Theatre between 2 March 1945 and 2 September 1945.
The Pacific Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
The Medal
The Pacific Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Pacific Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The Pacific Star ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.
Clasps
The Burma clasp was issued for the Pacific Star.
When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.Eligibility
The Pacific Star is awarded for entry into operational service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
Burma Star
The Burma Star was granted for operational service in the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
The Medal
The Burma Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Burma Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The Burma Star ribbon is red with edges of dark blue and orange. The red and dark blue represent the British Commonwealth Forces and the orange represents the sun.
Clasps
One clasp was issued for the Burma Star:
• Pacific
When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp to the medal.Eligibility
The Burma Star is awarded for operational service in the Burma Campaign from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945. In addition for:
- Navy - six months qualifying service for 1939-1945 Star first, then operational service in the Bay of Bengal and in the Malacca Strait;
- Army - service on land in Bengal and Assam from 1 May 1942 to 31 December 1943, areas of Bengal and Assam east of the Brahmaputra from 1 January 1944 to 2 September 1945 and operational service in China and Malaya from 16 February 1942 to 2 September 1945;
- Air Force - one operational sortie for aircrew and qualifying service as for Army for other Air Force personnel.
Italy Star
The Italy Star was granted for operational service on land in Sicily or Italy at any time during the campaign from the capture of Pantellaria on 11 June 1943 until 8 May 1945, the date of the end of active hostilities in Europe.
The Medal
The Italy Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Italy Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The Italy Star ribbon has stripes of green, white stripes and red, these being the national colours of Italy.
Eligibility
The Italy Star is awarded for operational service in the Italy Campaign from 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945. Operational service in the Aegean, Dodecanese, Greece and Yugoslavia after 11 June 1943, in Sicily up to 17 August 1943, in Sardinia up to 19 September 1943 and in Corsica up to 4 October 1943.
France and Germany Star
The France and Germany Star was granted for operational service on land in France, Belgium, Holland or Germany after the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944 until 8 May 1945, the date of the end of active hostilities in Europe.
The Medal
The France and Germany Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The France and Germany Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The Ribbon
The France and Germany Star ribbon has stripes of red, white and blue that represent the colours of the Union Flag, France and the Netherlands.
Clasps
One clasp was issued for the France and Germany Star:
• Atlantic
Regulations only allow one clasp to be worn with the Star. When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp to the medal.Eligibility
This medal is awarded for operational service on land in France , Belgium , Holland or Germany between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945.
Defence Medal
The Defence Medal was instituted to provide recognition for specified periods of service in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened.
The Medal
The Defence Medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL'.
The Ribbon
The Defence Medal ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre. The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs.
Eligibility
The Defence Medal is awarded for six months service in a prescribed non-operational area subject to enemy air attack or closely threatened, in Australia and overseas, or for 12 months service in non-prescribed non-operational areas.
Within Australia the area is the Northern Territory , north of 14 degrees 30 minutes south, and the Torres Strait Islands between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
Overseas service includes the Middle East, east of the Suez Canal (less the period of the Syrian Campaign) or Malaya prior to the Japanese invasion on 8 December 1941.
War Medal 1939-1945
The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for full-time service in the Armed Forces, wherever that service may have been rendered during the war. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration.
The Medal
The War Medal 1939-45 is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a lion standing on a fallen dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945.
The Ribbon
The War Medal 1939-45 ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the Union Flag.
Emblem
The single bronze oak leaf Emblem signifying either a Mention in Despatches, King's Commendation for brave conduct, or a King's Commendation for valuable service in the air, will, if granted for service during World War II, be worn on the ribbon of the War Medal 1939-45.
Eligibility
The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded for 28 days full-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea.A member qualifies for the award where service was brought to an end by death, wounds or other disabilities due to service or by cessation of hostilities on 2 September 1945.The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Australia Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.
The Medal
The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’.
The Ribbon
The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force respectively.
Eligibility
The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 month full-time service, or three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served the qualifying time at sea.
In 1996 the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service.
To be eligible for the medal a serviceman or woman must have been honourably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.
