- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: 1981
- Country: Great Britain
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal is a British campaign medal established 6 November 1981, to honour those from Newfoundland & Labrador who served in British Forces outside of the province.
The medal was issued to those who did not receive a volunteer war service medal from another country, including Canada, and who had volunteered and served in units or organizations contributed by the Dominion of Newfoundland to the allied war effort. The period of qualifying service was from September 3, 1939 through September 2, 1945.
During the Second World War, Newfoundland was a separate Dominion of the British Empire, only joining the Canadian Confederation in 1949. Accordingly, Newfoundland servicemen who volunteered to serve with British Imperial Forces, including Newfoundland units, did not qualify for the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.
A total of 7,500 medals were awarded, including those issued to next-of-kin, who could claim on behalf of those who died both in or since the war.
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal Design
The medal is circular, struck in bronze and measures 37 millimeters in diameter. It was designed by Ian H Stewart CM, the Senior Designer in Residence at Memorial University St John’s Nfld.
The obverse shows the Crown and cipher of King George VI surmounted by a baying Newfoundland stag caribou. Around the edge is the inscription “NEWFOUNDLAND VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945″. The reverse bears a depiction of Britannia standing on a scallop shell, with a spear in her right hand and the sun’s rays behind her. Two lions encircle each side with their heads towards the bottom of the medal.
The ribbon is deep claret with edges of red, white, and blue. The medal is mounted on a single claw with a single-curl mount and the rim is uniquely numbered to each recipient.
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More WW2 British Campaign Medals
During World War II (1939–1945) British campaign medals were awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and civilians for active service in specific military campaigns or operations. These included:
The Arctic Star
The Arctic Star is a military campaign medal which was instituted for service on the Arctic Convoys north of the Arctic Circle in WW2.
The Africa Service Medal
The Africa Service Medal is a South African campaign medal instituted by King George VI and awarded for service during the Second World War.
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal is a British medal granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada.
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939-1945 is a campaign medal awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces for home service.
The Atlantic Star
The Atlantic Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for the Battle of the Atlantic.
The New Zealand War Service Medal
The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM) was awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces and Reserves during WW2.
The Burma Star
The Burma Star is a military campaign medal for award to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served in the Burma Campaign.
The 1939-1945 Star
The 1939–1945 Star is a military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 8 July 1943 for operational service overseas.
