The War Medal, 1939-45 was instituted on 16 Aug 1945, and awarded for service in the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy. The medal was granted in addition to campaign stars and the Defence Medal.

 

Requirement for the award of the War Medal 1939–1945 to full-time military personnel was 28 days of service, wherever rendered. Requirement to the Merchant Navy was 28 days of service anywhere at sea during the qualifying period. Foreign citizens commissioned or enlisted into British Forces, who did not receive a similar award to the War Medal 1939–1945 from their own Governments, were also eligible to qualify for the award of this medal. Personnel who received a Service Star for less than 28 days of service were also awarded the War Medal 1939-45.

 

DESCRIPTION

A round disc planchet with a non-swivel bar suspender. The front shows the profile of King George VI with the Royal title written around the edge. 

 

The reverse has a lion standing on the body of a two-headed dragon (the two heads symbolizing the Western and Eastern enemies). At the top, the two years are inscribed.

 

The colours of the ribbon represent the Union Jack.

 

DEVICES

• Bronze Oak Leaf (denotes a mention in despatches, King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, or King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air)

 

As I have been able to find, this is mainly as close to a WWII victory Medal for the UK as you get!

 

DETAIL:

 

 

If you have any to share or more information, please feel free to post here!

Hi Elizabeth, found this one also last week. As with the Defence Medal this one seems to have been mounted also at some time. The ribbon was also shorted.

 

 

Rene

 

Modern miniature.  This group belonged to my dad's father, who was with the British Merchant Navy during the Second World War.