Africa Star

To qualify for this medal, members of the Royal Navy had to have completed any service at sea in the mediterranean, between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 or servied in support in Abyssinia, Somalialand and Eritrea beteen 10 June 1940 and 27 November 1941

For the Army, service personnel had to have entered into North Africa with an operational unit. Service in areas such as Abyssinia, Somalilands, Sudan, Eritrea and Malta, but service in West Africa did not count.

For members of the RAF, they needed to have landed in or flown over Abyssinia, Somalilands, Sudan, Eritra and Malta, or territory occupied by the enemy.

The medal itself is a bronze six pointed star with the Royal Cipher "GRI VI" in the centre, surmounted by a crown with the inscription "THE AFRICA STAR". The reverse is plain and blank as with all Second World War Stars.

The medal ribbon is 1.25" wide in pale buff, with a broad central scarlet strip, with 2 narrow stripes of dark blue and mid blue either side. These colours represent the desert sands and the three services.

There were 3 clasps awarded to this medal. They were:

8th ARMY - Awarded for service in the Eighth Army between 23 October 1942 and 12 May 1943. The numeral 8 was worn on the ribbon when no medal was worn.

1st ARMY - Awarded for service in the First Army or any unit under its command from 8 November to 12 May 1943. The numeral 1 was worn on the ribbon when no medal was worn.

NORTH AFRICA 1942-1943 - A small silver rosette(which was worn on the ribbon, when no medal was worn) was awarded to Naval, RAF and Merchant Navy personnel as well as members of the 18th Army Group who did not qualify for either of the other two emblems.

Although it was possible to qualify for more than one bar, only the first was awarded.