The Defence Medal
Overview
The Defence Medal was awarded to British military and civilian personnel for a range of service during the Second World War in the United Kingdom and to British, Commonwealth, and Colonial personnel who served outside their home countries in a non-operational area or an area subject to threat such as an air attack.
Description
The Defence Medal is silver and circular in shape. The obverse features the uncrowned effigy of King George VI. On the reverse are two lions flanking an oak sapling and the Tudor crown. The lions are flanked by start and end years of the Second World War (1939 on the left and 1945 on the right). Below the lions, are wavy lines that represent the sea. The words "THE DEFENCE MEDAL" are inscribed below the wavy lines.
The centre of the ribbon is flamed-coloured, and the edges are green, symbolising the enemy attacks on Great Britain. Two narrow black stripes represent the blackout in Great Britain.
No clasps or bars were issued for this medal.
Eligibility
The Defence Medal was awarded for a range of services during the Second World War both in the United Kingdom and abroad. The length of qualifying service for the Defence Medal depended on where a person served:
- Three years of service for those residing in the United Kingdom.
- 90 days of service for personnel in Mine and Bomb Disposal Units.
- Six months (180 days) for service overseas in a non-operational area under air attack or threat (for example, the UK, Palestine, or Fiji).
- 12 months (360 days) for service in a non-operational area not under attack or threat.
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
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Wearing this medal
The Defence Medal is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is always worn after the France and Germany Star and before the War Medal 1939-1945.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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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.
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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.