During World War II (1939–1945) British campaign medals are awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and civilians for active service in specific military campaigns or operations. These medals recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by individuals during particular conflicts or periods of service.
Typically, eligibility was determined based on the individual’s service in a specific theater of operations or campaign during the war. So, let’s take a look at the different British Campaign Medals of World War II.
WW2 UK Campaign Medals Eligibility
The general eligibility criteria for World War II campaign medals varied depending on the specific medal, but there were some common requirements for most decorations awarded during this period. For example:
Service Period
Individuals awarded with a campaign medal needed to have served during a specific time frame associated with the campaign for which the medal was awarded. For example, the 1939-1945 Star required service between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945.
Operational Service
Eligibility often required active operational service in the designated theater of operations. This could involve direct participation in combat, support roles, or other duties contributing to the war effort.
Location of Service
Some medals were awarded for service in specific geographical areas or campaigns. For instance, the Africa Star was awarded for operational service in North Africa.
Nationality
Campaign medals were generally awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, including personnel from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth nations, and allied forces.
Other Requirements
In addition to specific time frames and locations, individuals had to meet certain criteria related to the duration and nature of their service to qualify for the medal. In some cases, civilians who provided essential support or were directly involved in the war effort were also eligible for these medals.
All The WW2 Campaign Medals
Each medal tells a story of courage, resilience, and dedication, honoring the men and women who served on the front lines and behind the scenes during one of the most pivotal chapters in human history. So, let’sdsiscover the valor and sacrifice commemorated by the array of World War II campaign medals.
The Africa Star
The Africa Star is a military campaign medal awarded to those who served in the Second World War specifically in North Africa.
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.
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 Air Crew Europe Star
The Air Crew Europe Star is a military campaign medal awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service in the Second World War.
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 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 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 Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
The Defence Medal is a campaign medal instituted in 1945 awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service during WW2.
The France and Germany Star
The France and Germany Star is a military campaign medal awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served during WW2.
The Italy Star
The Italy Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for service in the Italian Campaign 1943 to 1945.
The Pacific Star
The Pacific Star is a British military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom in 1945 for those who served in the Pacific Campaign.
The War Medal 1939-1945
The War Medal 1939–1945 is a British campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 16 August 1945. The medal was awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth who had served full-time.
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 Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a military medal (Great Britain, Australia) that recognizes service in Australia’s armed forces, Mercantile Marine, and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
The India Service Medal
The India Service Medal – 1939-1945 is a Commonwealth campaign medal awarded to Indian Forces for three years service in India in WW2.
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 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 Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal
The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal was created to honor those from Newfoundland & Labrador who served in British Forces.
How to Apply for a WW2 Campaign Medal
To obtain a World War II campaign medal in the UK, you will first need to confirm your eligibility. This entails ensuring the applicant meet the specified criteria for the particular medal and campaign. You can check the requirements and initiate the process through the UK Government Page.
Once eligibility is established, applicants must gather all necessary documentation, such as service records, to support their claim. They then complete the appropriate application form, which can usually be found online or requested from relevant authorities.
After filling out the form, applicants submit it along with their supporting documents to the designated authority responsible for processing medal applications. Following the submission, applicants must await the processing of their application, which may take some time. Upon approval, the medal will be issued to the applicant or their authorized representative.
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