The Defence Medal
Description
The Defence Medal is awarded for non-operational service, such as service personnel working in headquarters, on training bases and airfields, and as members of the Home Guard. The medal is also awarded for non-operational service overseas, for example, in India or South Africa.
The colours of the ribbon symbolise enemy attacks on Britain’s ‘green and pleasant land’ and the blackout.
Requirements
To apply for the Defence Medal, the person must have either:
- 1080 days (3 years) service in the UK between 3 Sep 1939 and 8 May 1945
- 1080 days (3 years) service in the Home Guard between 14 May 1940 and 31 Dec 1944 (you will also need to fill out and send the Home Guard service questionnaire)
- 360 days (1 year) non operational service overseas between 3 Sep 1939 and 2 Sep 1945
- 180 days non operational service in an overseas area deemed to be closely threatened or subject to air attack between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945
My medal
That was my first ever medal that arrived. I had such a good mood and liked it so much. It came from the UK, and the medal had a small rack piece with the ribbon. There are traces that the medal was worn. Unfortunately, UK WW2 medals were unnamed, so the history of it — is unknown.
