War Medal 1939–1945 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids War Medal 1939–1945 |
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| Country |  United Kingdom/British Empire |
| Type | Military campaign medal |
| Eligibility | Full-time personnel of all ranks |
| Awarded for | 28 days of service |
| Campaign(s) | Second World War 1939–45 |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 16 August 1945 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | Defence Medal |
| Next (lower) | Korea Medal |
 Ribbon bar |
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The War Medal 1939–1945 is a special award created by the United Kingdom. It was given to people from the British Commonwealth who served full-time in the armed forces or the Merchant Navy. To get the medal, they needed to serve for at least 28 days. This service had to be between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. This period covers the entire Second World War.
Contents
Creating the War Medal
The Second World War lasted from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945 in Europe. In the Pacific, it continued until 2 September 1945. The War Medal 1939–1945 was officially created on 16 August 1945. It was given to all full-time members of the armed forces and the Merchant Navy. They needed to serve for 28 days during the war. It did not matter where they served. For the Merchant Navy, the 28 days had to be spent at sea.
Who Earned the Medal?
To earn the War Medal 1939–1945, military members needed 28 days of service. This was true no matter where they served. For the Merchant Navy, it was 28 days at sea. People from other countries who joined British forces could also get this medal. This was only if their own country did not give them a similar award.
Some special groups also qualified for the medal. These included full-time members of colonial police or civilian groups. They also needed 28 days of service. This service had to be during the war period.
The medal was also given to people whose service ended early. This included those who died, became disabled, or were captured. This was if their service qualified them for other Second World War medals. Even if they served less than 28 days, they still got the War Medal. This was if they had earned one of the special "Campaign Stars."
What the Medal Looks Like
The War Medal 1939–1945 is a round metal disc. It is about 3.6 centimeters (1.4 inches) wide. A straight bar connects the medal to its ribbon. Most British medals were made of cupro-nickel, a mix of copper and nickel. About 700,000 medals given in Canada were made of silver. Some people mistakenly call this medal the "Victory Medal" for the Second World War.
Front of the Medal
The front of the medal shows a picture of King George VI. He was the King during the war. His head faces left. The initials "PM" are below his neck. These are the initials of the designer, Percy Metcalfe. Around the edge, it says "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:". This is Latin for "George VI, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains and Emperor of India."
Back of the Medal
The back of the medal shows a lion standing on a two-headed dragon. The dragon's heads are an eagle and a dragon. These represent the main enemies in the Second World War. The eagle stands for Western enemies, and the dragon for Eastern enemies. At the top, you can see the years "1939" and "1945." These are the start and end years of the war. The initials "ECRP" are near the bottom left. These are for Edward Carter Preston, the designer. He also designed a special plaque for families of soldiers who died in the First World War.
Naming the Medals
Most Second World War medals given to British forces did not have names on them. However, some countries did add names. Medals given to soldiers from India, South Africa, and Australia had the recipient's name on the edge. Medals for some Canadian forces were also named. The names usually included the person's service number, rank, and name.
The Medal's Ribbon
The ribbon for the War Medal is 32 millimeters (about 1.25 inches) wide. It has a red stripe, a blue stripe, and a white stripe. These colors are repeated in reverse order. A thin red stripe separates the two halves. The colors of the ribbon are the same as the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom. King George VI himself designed the ribbons for the War Medal and most other Second World War medals.
Special Emblems
Sometimes, a small bronze oak leaf emblem is worn on the ribbon. This means the person was "mentioned in despatches." This is a special way to recognize brave actions. It could also mean they received a "King's Commendation for Brave Conduct" or "King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air."
How Medals Are Worn
Medals are always worn in a specific order. For the Second World War medals, the order depended on when the campaign started and how long it lasted. The War Medal is worn after the special "Campaign Stars" and the Defence Medal.
Here are some of the other medals and their order:
- The 1939–1945 Star: For service during the entire war.
- The Atlantic Star: For service in the Battle of the Atlantic.
- The Arctic Star: For service in the Arctic Convoys.
- The Air Crew Europe Star: For air crew service in Europe before D-Day.
- The Africa Star: For service in the North African Campaign.
- The Pacific Star: For service in the Pacific War.
- The Burma Star: For service in the Burma Campaign.
- The Italy Star: For service in the Italian Campaign.
- The France and Germany Star: For service in North-West Europe.
- The Defence Medal: For defending the home country or serving in non-operational areas.
- The War Medal: For general service throughout the war.
