Defence Medal (United Kingdom) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Defence Medal |
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| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Eligibility | Military and certain civilian service |
| Awarded for | 3 years, 360, 180 or 90 days, depending on area and nature of service |
| Campaign(s) | Second World War |
| Statistics | |
| Established | May 1945 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | France and Germany Star |
| Next (lower) | War Medal |
 Ribbon bar |
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The Defence Medal is a special award created by the United Kingdom in May 1945. It was given to people from the British Commonwealth who helped during the Second World War. This medal recognized both military members and certain civilians for their important work, even if they weren't fighting on the front lines.
What is the Defence Medal?
The Second World War in Europe lasted from September 3, 1939, to May 8, 1945. In the Pacific, it continued until September 2, 1945. The Defence Medal was created to honor those who served in non-combat roles. This included military personnel and civilians in the United Kingdom. It also honored Commonwealth citizens who served outside their home countries. They might have been in areas that were not directly fighting, or in places threatened by air attacks.
Who Earned the Medal?
The Defence Medal was given for service between September 3, 1939, and May 8, 1945. For those serving in the Far East and Pacific, the period extended to September 2, 1945.
Military Service
Many military personnel in the United Kingdom earned this medal. This included those working at headquarters, training bases, and airfields. Members of the Home Guard also qualified for their service. The medal was also given to military members serving in non-combat roles overseas. Even if someone received other campaign stars for fighting, they could still get the Defence Medal.
Civilian Service
Many brave civilians also helped during the war. They were vital to keeping the country running and safe. Here are some examples of civilian groups who could earn the Defence Medal:
- Civil Defence Services: These included wardens, rescue teams, and ambulance drivers. They helped protect people during air raids.
- Fire Services: Firefighters worked to put out fires caused by bombings.
- Police: Police officers kept law and order, including special constables.
- Nurses: Nurses cared for the sick and injured in hospitals.
- Royal Observer Corps: These volunteers watched for enemy aircraft.
- Women's Voluntary Services: This group helped with many tasks, like running rest centers.
How Long Did You Have to Serve?
The time needed to earn the Defence Medal changed based on where and how someone served.
Service in the United Kingdom
If you lived in the United Kingdom, you usually needed to serve for three years (1,080 days). However, if you were in a Mine and Bomb Disposal Unit, you only needed to serve for three months (90 days). This period ended on May 8, 1945, when the war in Europe finished.
Service Overseas
If you served overseas in an area that was not fighting and not under air attack, you needed one year (360 days) of service. If you were in an area that faced air attacks or was closely threatened, you needed six months (180 days) of service. This also applied to Commonwealth citizens who served in the Home Guard in the UK.
For example, Canadians serving in Britain between September 3, 1939, and May 8, 1945, usually needed six months of service.
Special Cases for the Medal
Some people received the Defence Medal without needing to meet the usual service time. This happened if:
- Their service ended because they died or were injured by enemy action while on duty.
- They received an award for bravery, like a King's Commendation for Brave Conduct.
- They received the George Cross or the George Medal, which are very high awards for bravery.
What Does the Medal Look Like?
The Defence Medal is a round medal, about 3.6 centimeters across. It is made of a metal called cupro-nickel in Britain. Medals given in Canada were made of silver.
Front of the Medal
The front of the medal shows a picture of King George VI, who was the King at the time. He is facing to the left. Around the edge are his titles in Latin.
Back of the Medal
The back of the medal shows the Royal Crown resting on a small oak tree. A lion and a lioness are on either side of the tree, above some waves. The years "1939" and "1945" are at the top. The words "THE DEFENCE MEDAL" are at the bottom.
Naming on Medals
Most Defence Medals given to British forces did not have the recipient's name on them. However, medals given to people from Australia, India, and South Africa usually had the recipient's name and details stamped on them.
The Ribbon
The medal hangs from a colorful ribbon. It has a wide orange stripe in the middle. On each side of the orange stripe are narrow black stripes, then wider green stripes.
The orange color represents the fires and bombings during the war. The green stripes stand for Britain's green countryside. The thin black stripes remind us of the "black-outs" when lights were turned off to hide from enemy planes.
If someone earned a King's Commendation for Brave Conduct while doing service for the Defence Medal, they wore a small silver laurel leaf emblem on their ribbon.
King George VI himself helped design the ribbons for the Second World War medals, including the Defence Medal.
How to Wear the Medal
Medals from the Second World War are worn in a specific order. This order is based on when the campaigns started and how long they lasted. The Defence Medal is worn after the campaign stars but before the War Medal.
Here is the general order of some of the main Second World War medals:
- The 1939–1945 Star
- The Atlantic Star
- The Arctic Star
- The Air Crew Europe Star
- The Africa Star
- The Pacific Star
- The Burma Star
- The Italy Star
- The France and Germany Star
- The Defence Medal
- The War Medal
So, the Defence Medal is worn after the France and Germany Star and before the War Medal 1939–1945.
