1939 -1945 Star This medal was awarded to soldiers who saw service in France between 1939 and 1945 |
Atlantic Star The Atlantic Star medal was issued to commerate the battle for the Atlantic between 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945. |
Air Crew Europe Star This medal was awarded for operational flying from the UK over Europe, between the period 3 September 1939 to 5 June 1944. |
Africa Star To qualify for this medal the recipient had to serve for one or more days in or over North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943. |
Pacific Star This Star was awarded for operational service in the Pacific theatre from 8 December 1941 to 15 August 1945. |
Burma Star The medal was awarded for service between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 in the Burma Campaign. |
Italy Star The Italy Star was originally intended to be awarded to servicemen who saw service in Italy, but actually covered operational service in the Aegean, Corsica and Elba. |
France & Germany Star The France and Germany Star was actually awarded to servicemen who saw operational service in North West Europe, which was to include Belgium and Holland. |
Defence Medal Generally speaking, this medal was awarded for three years service in Great Britain between Sept 1939 and 8th May 1945. |
1939 - 1945 British War Medal The 1939-45 War Medal was awarded to anyone who gave 28 days service in uniform or in an accredited organisation. |
World War Two Medals
There were 8 different campaign stars issued for World War 2. Apart from some Commonwealth issues, medals were issued unnamed. The ribbons were believed to have been designed by King George VI personally.
" The object of giving medals, stars and ribbons is to give pride and pleasure to those who have deserved them. At the same time a distinction is something which everyone does not possess. If all have it, it is of less value. There must, therefore, be heartburnings and disappointments on the border line. A medal glitters, but it also casts a shadow. The task of drawing up regulations for such awards is one which does not admit of a perfect solution. It is not possible to satisfy everybody without the risk of satisfying nobody. All that is possible is to give the greatest satisfaction to the greatest number and to hurt the feelings of the fewest" Winston Churchill, 22 March 1944.