Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Second World War 1939-45
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth Forces
	Ribbon:	Equal stripes of dark blue, red and light blue symbolising the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force respectively.
	Metal:	Bronze
	Size:	Height 44mm; max. width 38mm
	Description:	The six pointed star has a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram, surmounted by a crown and inscribed THE 1939-45 STAR round the foot.
	Clasps:	Battle of Britain

The first in a series of eight bronze stars issued for service in the Second World War, it was awarded to personnel who had completed six months’ service in specified operational commands overseas, between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September1945, though in certain cases the minimum period was shortened.  Any service curtailed by death, injury or capture also qualified, as did the award of a decoration or a mention in despatches.  The clasp awarded to RAF aircrew for action during the Battle of Britain was denoted by a gilt rosette when the ribbon was worn alone.

AFRICA STAR

	Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Africa 1940-43
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth Forces
	Ribbon	Pale buff symbolising the sand of the desert, with a broad red central stripe, a dark blue stripe on the left and a light blue stripe on the right symbolising the three services.
	Metal:	Bronze
	Size:	Height 44mm; max. width 38mm
	Description:	The six pointed star has a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram, surmounted by a crown and inscribed THE AFRICA STAR
	Clasps:	North Africa 1942-43, 8th Army and 1st Army

Awarded for entry into an operational area in North Africa between 10th June 1940 (The date of Italy’s declaration of war} and 12th May 1943 {the end of operations in North Africa), but service in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Somaliland, Eritrea and Malta also qualified for the award.  A silver numeral 1 or 8 worn on the ribbon denoted service with the First or Eighth Army between 23rd October 1942 and 23rd May 1943.

North Africa 1942-43 Bar         

 Awarded for service with the 18th Army Group Headquarters who did not qualify for either of the numerals between 15 February and 12 February 1943, or navy and merchant navy in shore service, OR

Royal Air Force service who served under the command of the A.O.C. Western Desert, A.C.N.W. African Forces, A.O.C. Malta, or any others who operated against the Germans or Italians from 23 October 1942 to 12 May 1943.

In undress, a rosette on the ribbon denotes this bar. 

The Merchant Navy for service on the North African coast between 23rd October, 1942, and 12th May, 1943, and participation in the landings on the Moroccan Coast between 8th November, 1942 and 12th May, 1943.

Ribbon with North Africa 1942–43 rosette

DEFENCE MEDAL

	Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Second World War 1939-45
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth forces
	Ribbon	Two broad stripes of green (this green and pleasant land) superimposed by narrow stripes of black (the black-out), with a wide stripe of orange (fire-bombing) in the centre.
	Metal:	Cupronickel or silver
	Size:	36mm
	Description:	(Obverse) the uncrowned head of King George VI, (reverse) two lions flanking an oak sapling crowned with the dates at the sides and wavy lines representing the sea below.  The words THE DEFENCE MEDAL appears in the exergue.

Awarded to service personnel for three years service in a non-operational area (e.g. India) or six months service overseas in territories subjected to air attack or otherwise closely threatened.  Personnel of Anti-Aircraft Command, RAF ground crews, Dominion forces stationed in the U.K., the Home Guard, Civil Defence, National Fire service and many other civilian units qualified for the medal.  The medal was generally issued unnamed in cupronickel, but the Canadian version was struck in silver.

	Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Second World War 1939-45
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth forces
	Ribbon	Narrow red stripes in the centre, with a narrow white stripe on either side, broad red stripes at either edge and two intervening stripes of blue
	Metal:	Cupronickel or silver
	Size:	36mm
	Description:	(Obverse) effigy of King George VI; (reverse) a triumphant lion trampling a dragon symbolising the Axis Powers
	Clasps:	None

All fulltime personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving, so long as they had served for at least 28 days between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945 were eligible for this medal.  It was granted in addition to the campaign stars and the Defence Medal.  E few categories of civilians, such as war correspondents and ferry pilots who had flown in operational theatres, also qualified.  No clasps were issued with this medal but a bronze oak leaf denoted a mention in despatches.  The medal was struck in cupronickel and issued unnamed, but those issued to Australian and South African personnel were officially named.  The Canadian version of this medal was struck in silver.