British campaign medals

British campaign medals are awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, Allied forces and Civilians participating in specified military campaigns. Examples include the "Defence Medal", for homeland defence in WWII, and the "Atlantic Star" for WWII sea service in the Atlantic.

18th century

19th century

* (1815)
* (1839)
* (1842)
* (1842)
* (1842)
* (1842)
* (1843)
* (1843)
* (1846)
* (1847)
* (1847)
* (1849)
* (1851)
*
*
* (1854)
* (1856)
* (1858)
* (1861)
* (1869)
* (1869)
* (1866-70)
* (1873-74)
* (1877-79)
* (1878-80)
* (1880)
* 1882-89
* (1892)
* (1896)
* (1896)
* (1899)
* (1899)
* (1899)
* (1899) (for South Africa)
* (1902)

20th century

Pre World War 1

*
* (1901)
* (1902)
* (1903) (for South Africa or China)
* (1905)
*

World War 1

During World War I (1914-1918) the following campaign medals were issued:
*
*
*
*
*
*

The most frequent combinations are 'trios' and 'pairs'. Trios are made up of one or other of the 1914 or 1914/15 stars (they could not be awarded together), the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Pairs are generally for servicemen who joined the war after 1915, and are the British War medal with the Victory Medal, colloquially known as the "Mutt and Jeff" pair. Merchant seaman were entitled to the Mercantile Marine Medal (issued by the Board of Trade) and usually the British War Medal as well. The Memorial Plaque was issued to the next-of-kin of deceased service personnel.

Inter War

*
*
*

World War 2

During World War II (1939–1945) the following were issued (with authorised Clasp or Emblem (if awarded) in brackets) - the first ten are listed in the authorised Order of Wearing:
* (Battle of Britain)
* (Air Crew Europe "or" France and Germany)
* (Atlantic "or" France and Germany)
* (8th Army "or" 1st Army "or" North Africa 1942-43)
* (Burma)
* (Pacific)
*
* (Atlantic)

* (Silver laurel leaves (King's Commendation for brave conduct. Civil))
* (Oak leaf)

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Post War

* (1951)
* Replaced 1918 General Service Medal
* (1980)
* (1982)
* (1992)

21st century

*Operational Service Medal (2000)
** (2000)
** (2002)
** (2003)
*

References

*Mackay, J & Mussell, J.W. (2003) "Medal Yearbook 2003". Token Publishing Ltd, UK.

External links

* [http://www.royaldublinfusiliers.com/medals/medals.html Information on British Campaign and other British medals] Descriptions, information on naming and pictures on different British medals.
* [http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/campaign.htm Campaign Medals] Descriptions and pictures of British campaign medals.
* [http://www.military-medal.co.uk British military medal portal] Site focussed on British military medals - profiles, images, histories and more
*cite web
url=http://www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/medals.htm
title=The King's Own Royal Regiment Museum, (Lancaster), British Campaign Medals
work=www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com

See also

* Campaign medal
* Australian campaign medals
* Canadian campaign medals
* New Zealand campaign medals