1939 - 1945 British War Medal

The 1939-45 War Medal was awarded to all full time members of the armed forces, wherever they saw service and gave 28 days service in uniform or in an accredited organisation. It could be awarded by itself to personnel who did not qualify for a campaign medal or the Defence Medal.

Members of the Merchant Navy had to have completed 28 days service at sea to be awarded this medal.

The obverse of this cupro-nickel medal bears the crowned head of King George VI and the legend ‘GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMB: REX ET INDIAE IMP:’.

The reverse shows a victorious lion trampling on a dragon with the dates ‘1939-45’ above. The suspender is a straight non-swivelling economy type suspender with a claw mount riveted to the medal.

The ribbon is 1.25" wide and is striped going from red to blue to white from each edge and a narrow central red stripe in the centre. These colours represent the Union flag.

The medals issued by the Canadian Government were made of solid Silver

There were no clasps awarded for this medal, but those personnel who were Mentioned in Despatches wore a bronze oak leaf on the ribbon.