War Medal 1939–1945

War Medal 1939–1945
Name	War Medal 1939–1945
Awarded by	United Kingdom
Type	Campaign medal
For	28 days of operational service
Campaign	Second World War
Description	Cupro-nickel disk, 36mm diameter.
Clasps	None
Established	16 August 1945
Recipients	Approximately 11 million
Related	1939–45 Star, Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Burma Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal (United Kingdom)

War Medal 1939–1945 is a campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 16 August 1945. It was awarded to subjects of the British Empire for full-time service in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. The medal recognizes general service during the Second World War and was issued alongside more specific campaign stars.

Description

The medal is a circular, cupro-nickel disk measuring 36 millimetres in diameter. The obverse bears the crowned effigy of King George VI, facing left, with the inscription "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:". The reverse features a lion standing triumphant on a double-headed dragon, with the dates "1939" and "1945" above. The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, with a central red stripe flanked by narrow white and wider blue stripes, representing the Union Flag. The medal was designed by the artist Edward Carter Preston and was issued unnamed, though many recipients had their details privately engraved.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility was broad, covering full-time service in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Merchant Navy. Personnel had to have completed 28 days of service between the declared start of the war on 3 September 1939 and its official end on 2 September 1945. This period included operational service in theatres such as the Battle of the Atlantic, the Battle of Britain, the North African campaign, and the Burma campaign. Members of the Home Guard were eligible if they served for at least three years, and certain Civil Defence services also qualified. Service cut short by death, injury, or capture also made one eligible.

Award process

The medal was not applied for individually but was issued by the relevant service authorities based on official records. Distribution was managed by the Air Ministry, Admiralty, and War Office, with the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood overseeing the overall process. Awards to Dominion forces, such as those from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, were typically processed through their own governments but followed the same criteria. The medal was usually sent by post to the recipient's registered address after the war.

Recipients

Approximately 11 million medals were awarded to service personnel and civilians across the British Empire. Notable recipients include Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and Admiral of the Fleet Louis Mountbatten. It was also awarded to countless ordinary servicemen and women, including members of the Women's Royal Naval Service and the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Allied personnel serving under British command, such as Polish forces and the Free French, were also eligible. The medal is commonly seen in groups with the 1939–45 Star and Defence Medal.

Clasps and bars

No official clasps or bars were instituted for the War Medal 1939–1945. This distinguishes it from campaign stars like the Atlantic Star or Africa Star, which could be awarded with clasps such as "8th ARMY" or "NORTH AFRICA 1942-43". The absence of clasps reflects its purpose as a general service award rather than one for specific battles or campaigns. However, some veterans privately acquired unofficial clasps to denote particular service, though these were not authorized by the Crown.

Legacy and significance

The War Medal 1939–1945 remains a widely recognized symbol of participation in the global conflict. It forms a core part of the British Second World War medal group and is frequently displayed in museums like the Imperial War Museum. Its design and issuance set a precedent for subsequent general service medals, such as the General Service Medal (1962). The medal's legacy is also preserved through veteran organizations like the Royal British Legion and in commemorative events such as Remembrance Sunday. It serves as a tangible link to the service and sacrifice of millions across the Commonwealth during a defining period of the 20th century.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom Category:World War II medals of the United Kingdom