Australia Service Medal 1939–1945
Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 | |
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![]() ![]() Obverse and reverse of the medal | |
Type | Campaign medal |
Awarded for | Service in World War II |
Presented by | Australia |
Clasps | None |
Established | November 1949 |
Total | Circa 600,000, including awards made post 1996[1] |
![]() Ribbon bar | |
Related | Australian Service Medal 1945–1975, Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 |
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 recognises service in Australia's armed forces, Mercantile Marine and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
Award criteria
Gazetted in November 1949,[2] 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,[3] with the Australia Service Medal worn immediately after the War Medal 1939–1945.[4]
Description
- The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a circular silver 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'.[5]
- The reverse shows the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Australia surrounded by the words 'THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939–1945'.[5]
- The 32-millimetre (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.[5][6]
Medals were awarded with the recipient's name impressed on the rim.[1]
See also
- Australian Honours Order of Precedence
- Australian campaign medals
References
- ^ a b c d John W. Mussell, ed. (2015). Medal Yearbook 2015. Token Publishing Limited, Honiton, Devon. p. 193.
- ^ "Royal Warrant: The Australia Service Medal 1939–45" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. 30 November 1949. Retrieved 27 March 2022 – via Department of Defence.
- ^ H. Taprell Dorling (1956). Ribbons and Medals. A. H. Baldwin & Son, London. p. 102.
- ^ "No. 40204". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 1954. p. 3538.
- ^ a b c Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin (1988). British Battles and Medals. Spink, London. p. 256.
- ^ "Defence Honours & Awards". Australian Department of Defence. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
External links
- ADF Honours and Awards site
- It's an Honour – Australian Government site
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Order of Australia
Order of the Garter
Order of the Thistle
Order of Merit
Royal Victorian Order
Order of St John
Cross of Valour (CV)
Star of Courage (SC)
Bravery Medal (BM)
Commendation for Brave Conduct
Group Bravery Citation
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Commendation for Distinguished Service
Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)
Nursing Service Cross (NSC)
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Australian Police Medal (APM)
Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Australian Corrections Medal (ACM)
Australian Intelligence Medal (AIM)
Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM)
Royal Victorian Medal (RVM)
(service periods)
1939–1945 |
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1945–1975 | |
1975–2012 |
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2012–present |
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King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)
King George V Coronation Medal (1911)
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (1999)
Centenary Medal (2001)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)
King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023)
Defence Force Service Medal (1982–1998)
Reserve Force Decoration (1982–1998) (RFD)
Reserve Force Medal (1982–1998)
Defence Long Service Medal (1998–)
National Medal
Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
Service Medal of the Order of St John