SOME OF THOSE WHO ENLISTED:
BRITISH & COMMONWEALTH SERVICE MEDALS

MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (1793-1814)
The Military General Service Medal (MGSM) was a campaign medal approved on 1 June 1847, as a retrospective award for issue to officers and men of the British Army who had served in the French Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802), the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1814), and the Anglo-American War (1812-1815). The Napoleonic Wars included the Peninsular War from 1807, and the MGSM is sometimes called the "Peninsular Medal". It was only awarded to claimants who had survived until 1847 and next of kin could not apply; nevertheless, over 25,000 were issued.
The medal was issued with one or more of 29 clasps representing a battle or action within that period: Egypt, Maida, Roleia, Vimiera, Sahagun, Benevente, Sahagun & Benevente, Corunna, Martinique, Talavera, Guadaloupe, Busaco, Barrosa, Fuentes D'Onor, Albuhera, Java, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Fort Detroit, Chateauguay, Chrysler's Farm, Vittoria, Pyrenees, St Sebastien, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse.
The MGSM and the Naval General Service Medal (see below) were the first real British campaign medals, issued to all ranks just for "being there". An earlier Army Gold Medal had been awarded to field officers for their successful commands (and they were not eligible to claim identical claps on the MGSM). To distinguish between the two medals, the MGSM was referred to originally as the "Silver Medal".
 

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (1793-1840)
The Naval General Service Medal was the naval counterpart to the MGSM. Like the MGSM, it was a campaign medal approved in 1847, as a retrospective award for issue to officers and men of the Royal Navy in various naval actions but these extended from 1793 to 1840. This period included the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Anglo-American War of 1812 and covered a variety of actions, from ship to ship skirmishes all the way to major fleet actions.
The medal was issued with one or more of 20 clasps representing a battle or action within that period: 1Jun1794, 14Mar1795, 23Jun1795, St Vincent, Camperdown, Nile, Egypt, Copenhagen, Gut of Gibraltar, Trafalgar, 4Nov1805, St Domingo, Martinique, Basque Roads, Guadaloupe, Java, St Sebastian, Algiers, Navarino, Syria.
It was only awarded to claimants who had survived until 1847 who applied for it and, mainly because of general illiteracy and limited publicity, very many did not. Consequently, there were no claimants for clasps for the following battles or actions: Carysfort (29May1794), Mosquito (9Jun1795), Telegraph (18Mar1799), Wolverine (13Sep1799), Beaver (31Mar1804), Boat Service (19Apr1807), Ann (24Nov1807), Boat Service (25Jul1809), Thistle (10Feb1810), Arrow (6Apr1811).
 

ARMY OF INDIA MEDAL (1799-1826)
The Army of India Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1851, as a retrospective award for issue to officers and men of the British Army and Honourable East India Company to survivors of various actions during the period 1799 to 1826. This period encompassed four wars: the Second Mahratta War (1803-4), the Gurkha War (1814-16), the Pindaree or Third Mahratta War (1817-18) and the First Burmese War (1824-26).
The medal was issued with one or more of 21 clasps representing a battle or action within that period: Allighur, Battle of Delhi, Assye, Asseerghur, Laswarree, Argaum, Gawilghur, Defence of Delhi, Battle of Deig, Capture of Deig, Nepaul, Khadki, Poona, Khadki and Poona, Seetabuldee, Nagpore, Seetabuldee and Nagpore, Maheidpoor, Corygaum, Ava, Bhurtpoor.
Like the Naval General Service Medal, it was only awarded to claimants who had survived until 1851 who actively applied for it. Many did not, and most of the 4,500 medals were awarded with only one clasp.
 

WATERLOO MEDAL (1815)
This is the first British military campaign medal ever issued, because the three preceding medals were approved over 30 years later for issue retrospectively. It was issued in 1816 –17 to every soldier present at one or more of the battles of Waterloo, Ligny and Quatre Bras between June 16-18th 1815 regardless of rank. They were also credited with two extra years' service.
The obverse of this medal bears the effigy of the Prince Regent with the inscription 'GEORGE P. REGENT', while the reverse has the winged figure of Victory seated facing left with the word 'WELLINGTON' above, 'WATERLOO' at the base of her seat and the date 'JUNE 18 1815' below. No bars were issued.
 

CRIMEA MEDAL (1854)
The reverse shows a winged figure of Victory crowning a Roman soldier, who is holding a shield in his left hand and a sword in his right, with a laurel wreath. The word ‘CRIMEA’ can be seen to the left.
The bars that were issued for the Crimea Medal had a unique design of oak leaves and acorns. Up to 5 bars were issued, for the battles of Alma, Inkerman, Azoff, Balaklava and Sebastopol, but a maximum of 4 could be awarded to any one person. The Azoff bar was awarded only to the Royal Navy, and the Sebastopol bar was automatically awarded to those qualifying for either the Balaklava or Inkerman bars.
 

INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL (1857-1858)
The reverse depicts Britannia holding a shield covered with a Union Jack over her left arm while holding a wreath in her outstretched right hand. Behind her is a lion with the word ‘INDIA’ above and the dates ‘1857-1858’ in the exergue below.
There were up to 5 bars to the medal: Delhi, Defence Of Lucknow, Relief Of Lucknow, Lucknow and Central India.
 

EGYPT MEDAL (1882-1889)
Instituted in 1882 for the campaign of the same year (in Alexandria and Tel-El-Kebir), the reverse depicts a sphinx facing left with the word ‘EGYPT’ above and ‘1882’ below. It was extended to cover the later Egyptian campaigns with the same reverse but omitting the date.
There were up to 1 3 bars to the medal: Alexandria, Tel-El-Kebir, Tamaai, El-Teb-Tamaai, Suakin 1884, The Nile 1884-5, Abu Klea, Kirberkan, Suakin 1885, Tofrek, Gemaizah and Toski..
 

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL (1899-1902)
Awarded to all who served in South Africa between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902 (during the Boer War). The reverse has the figure of Britannia facing right with her hand stretched out holding a wreath. Behind her is her shield bearing the Union Flag and in the background are the ships of the Royal Navy and soldiers marching to battle. Above Britannia are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'.
There were up to 26 bars to the medal: Cape Colony, Belmont, Wepener, Natal, Modder River, Defence Of Mafeking, Rhodesia, Tugela Heights, Transvaal, Relief Of Mafeking, Relief Of Kimberley, Johannesburg, Defence Of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Laings Nek, Talana, Orange Free State, Diamond Hill, Elandslaagte, Relief Of Ladysmith, Wittenbergen, Defence Of Ladysmith, Dreifontein, Belfast. The other 2 were the South Africa 1901 and/or 1902 bars which were awarded to those serving during those periods but who were not eligible for the King's South Africa Medal.
 

KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL (1901-02)
Awarded to all troops who served in South Africa on or after 01 January 1902, and completed 18 months service before 01 June 1902. The reverse is the same as the Queen's South Africa Medal, with which it was issued.
The South Africa 1901 bar was awarded for service during 1901 towards the required service of 18 months, and the South Africa 1902 bar to those who served during 1902.
 

Individuals who were awarded the 1914 or 1914-15 Star always received the British War Medal and Victory Medal as well, and the set are colloquially referred to as "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred". Service overseas after 1915 was recognised only by the latter two, referred to as "Mutt and Jeff". Both references were to popular cartoon characters of that time.
 

1914 STAR
The 1914 Star, sometimes wrongly referred to as the Mons Star, was awarded to the Expeditionary Forces in France or Belgium between 05 August 1914 and 22 November 1914. A clasp bearing these dates was awarded to those who had served under enemy fire. The uppermost ray of the bronze star took the form of the imperial crown and a pair of crossed swords were on the face of the star, with a circular oak wreath on the swords and a scroll winding around them.
 

1914-15 STAR
The 1914-15 Star, which was similar to the 1914 Star, was subsequently awarded to those serving against the Central Powers before the end of 1915, but holders of the 1914 Star were not also entitled to the 1914-15 Star. Because the ribbons were the same for both, holders of the 1914 Star were permitted to wear a small silver rosette on their ribbon when the decoration itself was not worn.
 

BRITISH WAR MEDAL (1914-20)
Initially intended to cover service during 1914-18, it was extended to service during 1919-20 to be in line with the Victory Medal, with which it was normally issued. Also issued on its own for service in areas like Malta and Gibraltar where there was no fighting. Royal Navy servicemen had to serve for a minimum of 28 days to be eligible (or to have lost their lives earlier). The reverse has St. George on horseback facing right below a rising sun with the horse trampling on a shield representing the Central Powers and a skull and crossbones representing death with the year ‘1914’ on the left and ‘1918’ on the right.
 

MERCANTILE MARINE WAR MEDAL
Awarded to those who received the British War Medal and also served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone.
The medal was also awarded to those who had served at sea for not less than six months between 04 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.
 

VICTORY MEDAL (1914-20)
The Inter-Allied Victory Medal was issued to the armed forces, as well as to civilians contracted to the armed services, and to those who served in military hospitals on the various battlefronts during wartime. Members of the British Naval Mission to Russia during 1919-20 and men involved in North Sea mine clearance operations were similarly eligible for the medal. The reverse has the inscription ‘THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914-19’ surrounded with a laurel wreath.
 

TERRITORIAL FORCE WAR MEDAL
The Territorial Force War Medal 1914-1919 was awarded to those members of the Territorial Force who had been a member prior to 01 October 1914, and had served in an operational theatre outside of the UK between 05 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.
 

SILVER WAR BADGE
The Silver War Badge is not a medal or decoration, but its award is included with service medal records. It was introduced in 1916 for those who had served at home or abroad since the 4th August, 1914, and who on account of age, or physical infirmity arising from wounds or sickness caused by military service had, in the case of Officers, retired or relinquished their commissions, or, in the case of men, have been discharged from the Army. These conditions were later expanded to include the women's services.
 

A total of eight campaign stars were created for World War Two, but the maximum number that could be worn by any recipient is five. The wearing of the various bars that may have been awarded was also restricted, with only one allowed to be worn on any one of the stars.

The qualifying dates, services, and areas for each of the awards were fairly detailed, and are merely summarised in the following list.
 

1939-1945 STAR
Mainly awarded for a minimum of 180 days operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 (60 days for RAF in an operation unit engaged in enemy operations). Any service curtailed by death, injury or capture also qualified, as did the award of a decoration or a mention in despatches.
A bar "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" was authorised for fighter aircraft crew that participated in that battle between 10 July and 31 October 1940.
 

ATLANTIC STAR
Awarded to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic. A minimum of 180 days service had to be served afloat (60 days for RAF) between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, but the qualifying period only started from the moment the 1939-1945 Star had been earned.
Recipients who later qualified for the Air Crew Europe Star and/or France And Germany Star were awarded an equivalent "AIR CREW EUROPE" and/or "FRANCE AND GERMANY" bar instead.
 

AIR CREW EUROPE STAR
Awarded for operational flying from UK bases over Europe between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944. The 60 day criteria for the 1939-1945 Star had first to be fulfilled and a further two months had then to be served in order to qualify.
Recipients who later qualified for the Atlantic Star and/or France And Germany Star were awarded an equivalent "ATLANTIC" and/or "FRANCE AND GERMANY" bar instead.
 

AFRICA STAR
Awarded for one or more day's service in North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943.
Prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star was not required.
Three bars were issued but only the first awarded can be worn: "EIGHT ARMY", for service with that Army after 23 October 1942 (Battle of El Alamein); "FIRST ARMY", for service with that Army after 8 November 1942; and "NORTH AFRICA 1942-43", for service after 23 October 1942 with other armies.
 

PACIFIC STAR
Awarded for service between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 in the Pacific theatre of operations, after qualifying for the 1939-1945 Star.
Recipients who later qualified for the Burma Star were awarded an equivalent "BURMA" bar instead.

 

BURMA STAR
Awarded for service in the area of Burma between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, after qualifying for the 1939-1945 Star.
Recipients who later qualified for the Pacific Star were awarded an equivalent "PACIFIC" bar instead.

 

ITALY STAR
Awarded for operational service in Sicily or Italy between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945, but service elsewhere in the Mediterranean and Aegean, etc, could serve to qualify (though for some of the latter areas time limits were set).
Only Royal Navy and Merchant Navy personnel had to have first qualified for the 1939-1945 Star.
The Italy Star was always awarded in addition to other stars so that no bars were instituted for it.
 

FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR
Awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg or Germany between D-Day and the German surrender, i.e. between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945.
Prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star was not required.
Recipients who later qualified for the Atlantic Star were awarded an equivalent "ATLANTIC" bar instead.
 

The following two general medals were also awarded for forces participating in World War Two:
 

DEFENCE MEDAL
Awarded to service personnel for three years' service at home, one year's service in a non-operational area (e.g. India) or six months' service overseas in territories subjected to air attack or otherwise closely threatened.
The reverse has the royal crown on top of an oak tree with a lion either side, the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL’ below and the dates ‘1939’ and ‘1945’ at the top left and right.
 

WAR MEDAL 1939-1945
Awarded for a minimum of 28 days of service, whether operational or non-operational, in the Armed Forces (including the Merchant Navy when served at sea) between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
The reverse has a lion trampling on a dragon with the dates ‘1939-45’ above.
 

AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to the members of the Australian Armed Forces, Merchant Marine and civilians serving overseas for at least 18 months between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.

 

CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS
Instituted in 1919, it is awarded to the nearest female relative of service personnel killed on active service while serving overseas or who subsequently died of wounds (since 1995, this includes deaths during peace-keeping and other such international operations). If there is both a mother and a widow, a Cross is awarded to each of them. The King George VI cross is worn from a thin purple coloured ribbon suspended around the neck while the Queen Elizabeth II cross is worn as a brooch.
 

CANADIAN VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to all ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces who volunteered and enlisted before 1 September 1945, and served a minimum of 18 months between 2 September 1939 and 1 March 1947. Maple leaf bars were issued for serving abroad, participating in the Dieppe raid, and service in Hong Kong.
 

NEWFOUNDLAND VOLUNTEER WAR SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to any Newfoundlander that had volunteered to serve in the British Imperial Forces during WW2. It was not however created until July 1981.

 

NEW ZEALAND MEMORIAL CROSS
Instituted in 1947, it is awarded to the nearest female relative of service personnel killed on active service while serving overseas or who subsequently died of wounds since the commencement of World War Two (since 1995, this includes deaths during peace-keeping operations). If there is both a mother and a widow, a Cross is awarded to each of them. The King George VI cross is worn from a thin mauve coloured ribbon suspended around the neck while the Queen Elizabeth II cross is worn as a brooch.
 

THE NEW ZEALAND WAR SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded for one month’s full time or six months part time service in any of the Armed Services, the Reserve or Home Guard between September 1939 and September 1945. This medal was the first distinctively ‘New Zealand’ campaign medal, and emphasised this by using the fern leaf motif on the reverse and the national colours of black and white in the riband.
 

THE SOUTH AFRICAN SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to those members of the South African Armed Forces, and other South African uniformed services, serving in Africa before 13 May 1943, which was the day Africa was declared to be free of enemy forces.
 

BEM  BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
The British Empire Medal (Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service) is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the crown. Recipients are not technically members of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), but this honour is nevertheless affiliated with the OBE and was awarded in similar circumstances, but usually to people below management or professional level. In the armed forces, it was awarded to non-commissioned officers.
 

MSM  MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Normally classified as a Service Medal, because it has been awarded from 1902 to warrant officers and senior NCOs to recognise long service (on discharge after at least 21 years) or given acts of merit. However, from 1916 it was also awarded for acts of gallantry or meritorious conduct when not in the face of the enemy.
The right to initials after the name (postprandials) applies only if it was awarded in the Royal Navy before 20th July 1928.
 

SPECIAL SERVICE MEDAL (CANADA)
This recognizes members of the Canadian Forces who have performed a service determined to be under exceptional circumstances, in a clearly defined locality for a specified duration, either underway on 11 June 1984 or subsequently established. This medal is always issued with a bar that specifies the special service recognized: the 'NATO + OTAN' bar is awarded for an aggregate of 180 days of honourable service with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), either aboard ships sailing under its control or deployed for reinforcement or exercise in Europe under its control.
 

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT (MILITARY) MEDAL
First instituted in 1830 as the Army Long Service & Good Conduct medal, its name was changed in 1930 and a fixed suspension bar then added bearing the text "Regular Army" or the name of a dominion country: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India or South Africa. From 1870 the qualifying period was 18 years and during the Second World War it could also be awarded to officers if they had completed at least 12 of those years in the ranks. For awards made prior to 1916, the ribbon was wholly crimson without the white edges. In 1940 clasps for further periods of service were introduced.
 

NAVY LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
First instituted in 1831, the medal was intended to recognise periods of 21 years excellent service, but this period was reduced to 10 years in 1874, and later increased to 15 years. Additional clasps, for periods of 15 years, were introduced during the reign of King George V (1910-1936). From March 1981 officers could become eligible if they had completed 12 years service before being commissioned.
 

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL
This award was instituted on 6 August 1915 for service in minor naval conflicts or operations. The medal has up to 16 clasps commemorating various actions. One was the Minesweeping 1945-51 clasp, for service in various minesweeping activities after World War Two ended. The Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945-53 clasp was for service in the disposal of bombs and mines in different parts of the world.
 

TERRITORIAL FORCE EFFICIENCY MEDAL
This award superceded the Volunteer Long Service Medal when the Territorial Force was created in 1908. It was awarded to NCOs and men with 12 years continuous service including 12 annual trainings. Men serving on August 4th 1914 and embodied with the main Expeditionary Force were allowed to count their embodied service as double. A clasp was awarded for a further 12 years service.
 

CANADIAN FORCES DECORATION
Awarded to all ranks in the Canadian Forces who have completed 12 years of service with a good conduct record during the final 8 years. The service need not be continuous. Service in the British Commonwealth regular and reserve forces will count provided the final 8 years have been with the Canadian Forces. A bar shall be awarded for every subsequent period of 10 years of qualifying service.