General Information for Wearing of British Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals
Information regarding the Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals generally
The following information is published in order that those awarded War Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals and Long Service or Efficiency Medals, particularly those earned during the Second World War, may know how they should be worn either on civilian clothes on appropriate occasions or in uniform if now serving in the Reserve or Auxiliary Armed Forces.
World War Two Decorations
The following Campaign Stars and Medals were instituted in recognition of service in the Second World War and are worn in the order shown:
|
Order of Wear |
Medal Name |
Ribbon Description |
Clasp / Emblem (if awarded) |
|
1 |
1939-45 Star |
Dark blue, red and light blue in three equal vertical stripes. Worn with dark blue stripe furthest from left shoulder. |
Battle of Britain |
|
2 |
Atlantic Star |
Blue, white and sea green shaded and watered. Worn with blue edge furthest from left shoulder. |
Air Crew Europe or France and Germany |
|
3 |
Air Crew Europe Star |
Light blue with black edges and a narrow yellow stripe on either side. |
Atlantic or France and Germany |
|
4 |
Africa Star |
Pale buff with central red stripe and two narrower stripes (one dark blue, one light blue). Worn with dark blue stripe furthest from left shoulder. |
8th Army or 1st Army or North Africa 1942-43 |
|
5 |
Pacific Star |
Dark green with red edges, central yellow stripe, and two narrow stripes (one dark blue, one light blue). Worn with dark blue stripe furthest from left shoulder. |
Burma |
|
6 |
Burma Star |
Dark blue with a central red stripe and two orange stripes. |
Pacific |
|
7 |
Italy Star |
Five vertical stripes of equal width: red at each edge, green at centre, two intervening white stripes. |
|
|
8 |
France and Germany Star |
Five vertical stripes of equal width: blue at each edge, red at centre, two intervening white stripes. |
Atlantic |
|
9 |
Defence Medal |
Flame coloured with green edges, each edge having a narrow black stripe. |
Silver laurel leaves (King's Commendation for Brave Conduct - Civil) |
|
10 |
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal |
Green, scarlet, royal blue, scarlet, green; each green and scarlet stripe three-sixteenths of an inch in width. |
Silver clasp with Maple Leaf emblem (in relief) |
|
11 |
War Medal 1939-45 |
Narrow central red stripe with narrow white stripe at either side; broad red stripe at either edge; two intervening stripes in blue. |
Oak Leaf |
|
12 |
Oak Leaf Emblem |
Bronze Oak Leaf worn on ribbon of War Medal 1939-45. |
Awarded to those mentioned in Despatches or awarded a King's Commendation |
The Wearing of Clasps
In instances where a member of the Forces qualified for the award of more than one Campaign Star or Clasp, only the Star first earned will be granted, the award of the second Star being denoted by the wearing of a Clasp on the ribbon of the Star first earned.
Special Notes on Selected Stars
1939-45 Star — The clasp 'Battle of Britain' is granted only for personnel who flew in fighter aircraft engaged in the Battle of Britain between 10 July and 31 October 1940.
Atlantic Star — Personnel qualifying for the Atlantic Star, the Air Crew Europe Star or the France and Germany Star will be awarded only the campaign star for which they first qualified, with a clasp awarded to denote qualifying service for a second star.
Air Crew Europe Star — Similar regulations apply as with the Atlantic Star regarding clasps and qualification order.
Africa Star — A clasp 'North Africa 1942-43' may be earned for approved service with the Eighth Army between 23 October 1942 and 12 May 1943, or with the First Army between 8 November 1942 and 12 May 1943.
Pacific Star and Burma Star — These are alternative awards. Personnel qualifying for both will receive only the first qualified star with a clasp for the second.
France and Germany Star — Awarded under similar first-qualified rules with clasps for additional qualifying service.
The Mounting of Medals
In order that medals may be properly worn a 'medal bar brooch' is used for mounting them. Medals are mounted with the senior medal on the right (furthest from the left shoulder).
If in possession of a conspicuous gallantry medal or other gallantry award, this will be worn to the right of other stars or medals.
World War One Medals
If awarded medals for the First World War these will be worn after gallantry awards in the following order: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, followed by Campaign Stars and Medals for the Second World War in the order previously laid down.
Foreign Medals
Authorized Foreign Orders, Decorations and Medals are worn last, in order of date of award irrespective of nationality.
Five Medals Maximum
Not more than five medals may be worn side by side in one row without overlapping. Where six or more are worn, they will overlap equally, with the senior medal fully visible on the right.
Above illustration of the mounting of six or more medals in order of seniority. Here World War One medals are worn ahead of World War Two campaign stars, and other awards.
Above illustration of the mounting of five or less World War Two campaign stars and medals, as worn in order of precedence.
Length of Ribbon
The length of ribbon to be worn showing is one inch only, measured from the top of the ring or clasp through which the ribbon passes to the top of the bar, except where a decoration calls for a longer ribbon.
Order of seniority in which Navy, Army and Air Force Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals are Worn
Victoria Cross (V.C.)
George Cross (G.C.)
Companion of Honour (C.H.)
Order of the Bath (C.B.)
Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.)
Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.)
Royal Red Cross (R.R.C.)
Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.)
Military Cross (M.C.)
Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.)
Air Force Cross (A.F.C.)
Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field (D.C.M.)
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (C.G.M.)
George Medal (G.M.)
Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.)
Military Medal (M.M.)
Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.)
Air Force Medal (A.F.M.)
British Empire Medal (B.E.M.)
1939-45 Star
Atlantic Star
Air Crew Europe Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Burma Star
Italy Star
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
Volunteer Service Medal
War Medal 1939-45
Jubilee and Coronation Medals
Efficiency and Long Service Decorations and Medals
Foreign Orders (in order of date of award)
Foreign Decorations (in order of date of award)
Foreign Medals (in order of date of award)
References:
Information Regarding Mounting and Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals
Published under the authority of the Hon. Milton F. Gregg, Minister of the Department of Veterans Affairs.