MEDAL IDENTIFICATION The Department of Defence has a full listing of all Imperial & Australian medals including images, eligibility and rules for wear. We have included a small sample of the types of medals your family might possess. Please note, these are not in the order of wear. Please consult the Defence Honours and Awards for the most recent Order of Wear Policy issued by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia: http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/ Policy/Order-Wearing.asp The Boer War Australians serving in the Boer War were initially members of the State Colonial forces. After Federation they joined Commonwealth units and those unable to join the Colonial or Commonwealth units sometimes unlisted in other nations forces such as Britain or South Africa. Two medals were issued during this period – the Queen’s South Africa Medal, and after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, the King’s South Africa Medal. Eligible Australians were awarded one or two medals based on their service period. Queen’s South King’s South Africa Medal Africa Medal First World War During the First World War Australians were awarded Imperial campaign medals and were issued the Victory Medal received by British personnel. A total of six medals were issued for the Great War – the 1914 Star; the 1914-1915 Star; the British War Medal 1914-1920; the Mercantile Marine Medal; the Victory Medal; and Anzac Commemorative Medal. The 1914 The 1914- The British War Star 1915 Star Medal 1914- 1920 Page 1 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700 MEDAL IDENTIFICATION First World War (Continued...) The Mercantile The Victory Marine Medal Medal The Anzac Commemorative Medal Second World War Australians who served in the Second World War were awarded Imperial awards that were issued to all Commonwealth personnel. They were also issued with an Australian Service Medal 1939-45. A total of 12 medals were issued, based on the campaigns fought: the 1939-1945 Star; the Atlantic Star; the Aircrew Europe Star; the Artic Star; the Africa Star; the Pacific Star; the Burma Star; the Italy Star; the France and Germany Star; the Defence Medal; the War Medal 1939-1945; the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945. The Italy Star The 1939-1945 The Atlantic Star The Aircrew The Artic Star The Africa Star Star Europe Star Page 2 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700 MEDAL IDENTIFICATION Second World War (Continued...) The Defence Medal The Burma Star The Italy Star The France and Germany Star The War Medal The Australian 1939-1945 Service Medal 1939-1945 1945 – 1975 The Naval After the Second World War, Imperials medals were awarded General Service for Australian contributions to the Korean War, the Malayan Medal 1915-62 Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War. A total of five medals were awarded: The Naval General Service Medal 1915-62; The General Service Medal 1918- 62; the Korea Medal; The General Service Medal 1962; the Vietnam Medal. Page 3 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700 MEDAL IDENTIFICATION 1945 – 1975 (Continued...) The General The Korea Service Medal Medal 1918-62 The General The Vietnam Service Medal Medal 1962 Australian Awards Since 1975 A new system of Australian honours was introduced in 1975, which included the medals issued to recognise conflict and operational service. A clasp with the name of the theatre or action for which the award is made is presented with the medal. A total of 14 medals are included in this honours system, The Australian Operational Service Medal; The Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection; The Australian Operational Service Medal – Greater Middle East Operation; The Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian; The Australian Active Service Medal; The Australian Service Medal; International Force East Timor Medal; The The Australian Operational Rhodesia Medal; The Afghanistan Medal; The Iraq Medal; Service Medal The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal; The National Emergency Medal; The Australian Defence Medal; The Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal Page 4 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700 MEDAL IDENTIFICATION Australian Awards Since 1975 (Continued...) The Australian The Australian Operational Operational Service Medal – Service Medal - Greater Middle Border Protection East Operation The Australian The Australian Operational Active Service Service Medal – Medal Civilian International The Australian Force East Service Medal Timor Medal Page 5 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700 MEDAL IDENTIFICATION Australian Awards Since 1975 (Continued...) The The Iraq The Rhodesia Afghanistan Medal Medal Medal The The National Humanitarian Emergency Overseas Service Medal Medal The Anniversary of National The Australian Service 1951- Defence Medal 1972 Medal Page 6 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700 MEDAL IDENTIFICATION Hot Tip Look closely at the outside edge or the back of your medal. If it is the original medal it will generally have some identifying information inscribed - their name, rank or service number. For Australian Forces they were general impressed or engraved around the edge of the circular medals or on the back for the Stars. However, some Second World War stars were originally issued without names and officers in the Boer War and the First World War did not have service numbers recorded. Lost Medals If you find a lost medal with a name inscribed the family might be looking for it. The Department of Defence lists lost and found medals in its Vet Affairs publication and on its website. The NSW RSL branch also has a list of lost or stolen medals on its website: http://rslnsw.org.au/commemoration/medals/lost-and-found/lost-service-medals The Australian War Memorial also has advice for returning found medals: https://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2015/06/12/reuniting-families-lost-medals-and-other-items/ Page 7 of 7 Produced by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation for the War Heritage Roadshow 2017. Contact http://commercial.unimelb.edu.au/gccmc-conservation-services or (03) 9348 5700.