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The Africa Star

The Africa Star

Overview

The Africa Star was awarded for service in North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943.

Description

The Africa Star is a bronze-coloured six-pointed star with a circular centre featuring the Royal Cypher "GRI VI".  The cypher is surmounted by the Tudor crown and encircled by the inscription "THE AFRICA STAR".

The ribbon has a central red stripe flanked by pale buff stripes.  On the left are two pale buff stripes separated by a narrow dark blue stripe.  On the right, the two pale buff stripes are separated by a light blue stripe. The buff stripes represent the desert while the red, dark blue, and light blue represent the Army, Navy and Merchant Navy, and Air Force, respectively.  

Three clasps were awarded with this medal: "North Africa 1942-43", "8th Army", and "1st Army". When ribbons only were worn on military uniform, a silver rose emblem on the ribbon denoted the North Africa 1942-43 clasp, while a silver Arabic "8" or "1" denoted the 8th Army clasp or the 1st Army clasp, respectively.

Eligibility

The Africa Star was granted for operational service of any length in North Africa from  10 June 1940 to 12 May 1943.  

The full eligibility criteria for the eight Second World War campaign stars (instituted before 1947) and the two British war service medals can be viewed in Campaign Stars and Commemorative Medals instituted for the 1939-45 War, (PDF, 3.4 MB)a British Army pamphlet, issued in 1947 or 1948, which includes NZ Army handwritten annotations.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The Africa Star is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the Arctic Star and before the Pacific Star.

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Applying for this medal

    NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) issues war, operational and service medals to current and former NZDF members.

    If you or someone you know may be eligible, you can apply through our application page.

    Apply for unclaimed medals

  • Checking if this medal was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record