Defence Medal

The 1939-45 Defence Medal was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth awarded for service during WW2 in accordance with the following eligibility criteria:

1. Service in the Forces in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened, provided such service lasted for three or more years.
2. Non-operational service in the Forces overseas or outside the country of residence, providing that such service lasted for one year, except in territories threatened by the enemy or subject to bomb attacks, in which case it was six months.
3. Civil Defence or other similar service in military operational areas providing the civil category was not eligible for campaign stars.
4. The qualifying period of service in Mine and Bomb Disposal units was three months.
5. Those who were awarded campaign stars could also, provided they fulfilled the necessary conditions, be awarded this medal.
6. Service in the United Kingdom Forces in West Africa, Palestine and India would count for the award of this medal, as well as by Dominion Forces, other than operational air crews in non operational areas outside their own countries
7. Part time service in the Malta Home Guard
8. The closing date for those in the forces was extended to 2^nd September 1945 for those serving overseas
9. Members of any civilian services that were entitled to wear chevrons for their war service were eligible for this medal
10. Members of the Home Guard resident in the United Kingdom qualified for the medal by rendering three years service ( or three months in the case of those who served in a bomb and mine disposal unit) British citizens from overseas qualified with six months service or three months in the bomb and mine disposal units.
11. service curtailed by death due to enemy action or wounds were eligible as were those who received an award conferred by the King regardless of length of service
12. Recipients of the George Cross or George Medal were eligible whether they were serving in a category eligible for the award or not provided the decoration was gained for service in Civil Defence.