| The
Military Medal and Bar |
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About this award
The Military Medal (MM) was instituted in 1916 during the First
World War. It was awarded to non commissioned officers and other
ranks of the Army for acts of bravery for which the award of
the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was not considered appropriate.
Over 2500 MMs have been awarded to New Zealanders, the most
recent being in Vietnam. In 1993, the MM was replaced in the
United Kingdom by the Military Cross for all ranks. In 1999
the MM was replaced in New Zealand by the New Zealand Gallantry
Decoration.
Royal Warrant
Many British awards have a considerable history and the Royal
Warrants which instituted them have been subject to significant
amendment during their currency. More information on the Royal
Warrants and criteria for the British Gallantry, Meritorious
and Distinguished Service Awards can be found in the publications
listed in the Bibliography. A publication titled 'British Gallantry
Awards' by P.E. Abbott and J.M.E. Tamplin is particularly recommended.
Regulations
Most Gallantry, Meritorious and Distinguished Service Awards
do not have separate Regulations. Instructions for their administration
are usually included in the Royal Warrant.
Clasps and Bars
Bars are awarded for subsequent acts of bravery. |
| The
1939-1945 Star |
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About this medal
The 1939-1945 Star is the first in a series of eight campaign
stars instituted in 1945 to recognise service in the Second
World War. It was awarded for six months service in specified
operational areas. Those whose service was shortened by death,
injury or capture or who were awarded a decoration or mention
in despatches also qualified for the medal.This bronze six-pointed
star has a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram, surmounted
by the Royal crown, and inscribed 'The 1939-1945 Star'. The
star has a height of 44mm and maximum width of 38mm.
The 1939-1945 Star was issued unengraved to New Zealand service
persons.
About the ribbon
The ribbon has three equal vertical stripes of dark blue, red
and light blue. The dark blue stripe symbolises the service
of the Navy and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe symbolises
the service of the Army, and the light blue stripe symbolises
the service of the Air Force.
Clasps and Bars
One clasp, 'Battle of Britain', was awarded for aircrew who
saw service during the Battle of Britain in 1940. When ribbons
only were worn on military uniform, a gilt rose emblem on the
ribbon denoted the award of this clasp. |
| The
Africa Star |
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About this medal
This medal was awarded for service in North Africa between June
1940 and May 1943.
About the ribbon
The ribbon is pale buff in colour, with a central vertical red
stripe, and narrower stripes, one dark blue and the other light
blue. The pale buff background symbolises the desert, the central
red stripe symbolises the Army, the dark blue stripe symbolises
the Navy and Merchant Navy, and the light blue stripe symbolises
the Air Force.
Clasps and Bars
Three clasps are awarded with this medal.
" North Africa 1942-43
" 8th Army
" 1st Army
When ribbons only were worn on military uniform, a silver rose
emblem on the ribbon denoted the award of the North Africa 1942-43
clasp, while a silver Arabic "8" or "1" denoted the award of the 8th Army clasp or the 1st Army clasp,
respectively. |
| The
Italy Star |
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About this medal
The Italy Star was awarded for operational service in Italy
and adjacent countries between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945.
This bronze six-pointed star has a circular centre with the
GRI/VI monogram, surmounted by the Royal crown, and inscribed
'The Italy Star'. The star has a height of 44mm and maximum
width of 38mm.
About the ribbon
The ribbon has five equal stripes of red, white, green, white
and red. These three colours are the national colours of Italy.
Clasps and Bars
No clasps or bars were issued for this medal. |
| The
Defence Medal |
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About this medal
This medal was awarded to British military and civilian personnel
for a range of service in the United Kingdom, and to British,
British Commonwealth and British Colonial personnel who served
outside their home countries in a non-operational area or in
an area subject to threat such as air attack.
The length of qualifying service required for the award of the
Defence Medal varied depending on where an individual served.
For persons normally resident in the United Kingdom, three years'
service in the United Kingdom was required (except for those
who served in a Mine and Bomb Disposal Unit, for whom 90 days'
service was required). Six months' (180 days) service overseas
from or outside a person's country of residence in a non-operational
area subjected to air attack or closely threatened (for example
the United Kingdom, Palestine or Fiji) was required. Or 12 months'
(360 days) service overseas from or outside a person's country
of residence in a non-operational area which was not subjected
to air attack and which was not closely threatened was required.
About the ribbon
The centre of the ribbon is flamed-coloured, and the edges are
green, symbols of the enemy attacks on Great Britain. Two black
stripes represent the blackout in Great Britain.
Clasps and Bars
No clasps or bars were issued for this medal. |
| The
War Medal 1939 - 1945 |
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About this medal
This medal was awarded to all fulltime members of the Armed
Forces for 28 days service between September 1939 and September
1945 irrespective of where they were serving.
About the ribbon
The ribbon is the red, white, and blue of the (British) Union
Flag. There is a narrow central red stripe with a narrow white
stripe on either side. There are broad red stripes at either
edge, the two intervening stripes being blue.
Royal Warrant
Campaign Medals are instituted by Warrants signed by the reigning
Sovereign at the time they are instituted. Originals of Warrants
can often be found in Medals Publications, Archives, Libraries
and Museums.
Clasps and Bars
No clasps or bars were issued for this medal. |
| The
New Zealand War Service Medal |
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About this medal
This medal was awarded for one month's full time service or
six months' part time service in any of the Armed Services,
the Reserve or Home Guard between 3 September 1939 and 2 September
1945. This medal was the first distinctively 'New Zealand' campaign
medal, which was emphasised by the use of the fern leaf motif
on the reverse and the national colours of black and white in
the ribbon.
The New Zealand War Service Medal was issued unengraved, as
were other Second World War campaign medals awarded for service
for New Zealand.
Royal Warrant
The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand War Service Medal can
be viewed here.
Medal Regulations
Instructions for the administration of the medal are included
in the Royal Warrant.
Clasps and Bars
There are no clasps or bars for this medal. |
| The
New Zealand Memorial Cross |
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About this award
The New Zealand Memorial Cross is awarded to the next of kin
of all New Zealand servicemen and women who were killed while
on war service or operational service overseas, or who subsequently
died of wounds received while on war service or operational
service overseas, since the commencement of World War Two. Two
versions of the New Zealand Memorial Cross have been struck:
one during the reign of King George VI, and one during the reign
of Queen Elizabeth II. The King George VI cross is worn from
a thin mauve coloured ribbon suspended around the neck, while
the Queen Elizabeth II cross is worn as a brooch.
Royal Warrant
There is no Royal Warrant for this award.
Regulations
The original Regulations for this award were issued in 1947.
The Regulations were amended in 1960.
Clasps and Bars
There are no clasps or bars associated with this award.
Order of Wear
This award is not included in the order of wear. This is because
the King George VI cross is worn from a thin mauve coloured
ribbon suspended around the neck, while the Queen Elizabeth
II cross is worn as a brooch. |
