MEDAL INFORMATION
The Defence Medal
3rd Sept. 1939 to 2nd Sept. 1945
Face
The un-crowned head of
King George VI surrounded by the inscription: ‘GEORGIVS VI D:G: BR: OMN:
REX F: D: IND: IMP.’
Reverse
The Royal Crown
resting on the stump of an oak tree and supported by two lions. At the
top left and top right respectively are the dates ‘1939’ and ‘1945’. At
the bottom are the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL’.
Size
Approx. 36 mm
diameter.
Composition
Cupro-Nickel (Canadian
Government issue are Silver)
Ribbon
Approx. 31 mm wide.
Green with a central flame-coloured stripe (12mm wide approx.) with two
narrow black stripes (each approx. 1 mm wide) central on the green edges.
The green symbolises the green land, the flame the enemy attacks, and the
black the ‘blackout’ imposed during the war.
Suspension
The ribbon passes
through a straight, plain, non-swivelling suspender.
Naming
All issued unnamed,
but some have been engraved privately.
Bars
None. A silver emblem
of laurel leaves is worn on the ribbon by civilian (but not merchant navy)
recipients of the King’s Commendation for brave conduct.
Awarded
These are fairly
wide-ranging and complex, and cover service at home and abroad in all the
Armed Forces, the Home Guard, police, fire service, ambulance service and
members of civil defence organisations.
Qualifications relating to
the Army are as follows:
1. Three years service in
non-operational areas subject to air attack or otherwise closely
threatened. 2. One year's non-operational service overseas, or six
months non-operational service overseas in territories subject to air
attack or under threat of invasion by the enemy. 3. Three months service
in operational bomb and mine disposal units. 4. Three years service in
the Home Guard. 5. Service curtailed by death or service wounds due to
enemy action qualified, as, in certain circumstances, did those who
received an award or commendation. The Defence Medal was not issued
automatically. Those who thought they qualified had to claim it.
The
King’s Own
The Defence Medal is
one of the commonest campaign awards issued. It is probably true to
say that this medal is, after the War Medal and The 1939-45 Star, the one
most commonly qualified for by men of the Regiment during the Second World
War. Nevertheless, many who saw active service and were either taken
prisoner or did not complete the requisite service did not qualify.
On the other hand many who wore The King’s Own badge as members of the
various Home Guard battalions in North Lancashire did qualify.
Defence Medals in the museum's collection
The Defence Medal
