- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: November 1949
- Country: Great Britain, Australia
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. This award was instituted in 1949.
Australian Forces during the Second World War also qualified for the campaign stars and medals authorized for all British and Commonwealth Forces.
Qualifying Period for the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The qualifying period was, at first, at least 18 months of full-time service at home or overseas, or at least three years of part-time service, between the dates of 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 – and no minimum qualifying period was required for those killed, wounded, or disabled due to service. This qualifying period was changed on 16 August 1996, when it was reduced to 30 days for full-time service and 90 days for part-time service.
Order of Wear for the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal worn immediately after the War Medal 1939–1945.
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 Design
The Medal is circular and made of cupro-nickel. It measures 36 millimeters (1.4 inches) in diameter and has the recipient’s name is impressed on the rim.
The obverse of the medal shows the crowned effigy of King George VI and surrounded by the inscription ‘GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP‘. The reverse of the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 shows the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Australia surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939–1945’.
Ribbon
The ribbon measures 32 millimeters (1.3 inches) wide and has a wide khaki central stripe (represents the Army), flanked by two narrow red stripes. The edge stripes are dark blue on the left and light blue on the right (representing the Mercantile Marine, Navy, and Air Force respectively).
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 Images
Ribbon Bar
The ribbon bar, like the ribbon of the Australia Service Medal 1939-1945, has a wide khaki central stripe flanked by two narrow red stripes (dark blue on the left and light blue on the right).
More About This Medal
There are two official documents you can access through the Australian government’s Defence Website:
Find This Campaign Medal
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 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 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 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.
