The Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal

The Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal is a British service medal awarded to civilian public servants, contractors and consultants, and to members of the Armed Forces working with British Government Departments, who were either appointed, deployed or employed by Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) to work in Iraq, and who had served at least 40 days. The medal is distributed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal was not awarded for service that also qualified for the Iraq military (campaign) Medal, although both medals could be awarded for different periods and types of service.

There are no clasps for this medal.

The Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal Design

The medal is circular, made of plated cupro-nickel and produced by the Royal Mint. It measures 36 mm in diameter.

The obverse has the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II, with the legend “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID.DEF.”

On the reverse are cuneiform symbols which can be roughly translated as “land bringing forth life”, with the stylized depiction of two rivers, based on a relief carving from Mesopotamia in the British Museum. Below is the word “IRAQ”.

The recipient’s name is inscribed on rim of the medal. The ribbon is 32 mm wide and sand-colored with a broad green central stripe and narrow blue stripes towards each edge.