The Medals They Won in WW2

This star was awarded to all personnel who completed operational service overseas between 3rd September 1939 and 8th May 1945 (2nd September in the Far East). The colours on the ribbon represent the three services, Army, Air Force and Navy. No more than 5 stars could be awarded to one person. Those who served in more campaigns would receive a clasp to be attached to the ribbon of one of the stars.

The Atlantic Star was awarded for operational service in the Atlantic and home waters between 3rd September 1939 and 8th May 1945, (2nd September 1945 in the Far East).

This star was earned almost exclusively by personnel for operational flying from UK bases over Europe between 3rd September 1939 and 5th June 1944. Sixty days of operational flying was required. The colours of the ribbon represent the sky, night flying and enemy searchlights, to symbolise the continuous service of the Air Force by night and day.

The Arctic Star was awarded for any length of service north of the Arctic Circle during the war in Europe. The star commemorates the Arctic convoys that sailed to northern Russia in support of the Russian allies.

This was awarded to military personnel who served in North Africa, Malta or Egypt between 10th June 1940 and 12th May 1943. The colours of the ribbon symbolise the desert and the three services.

The Pacific Star was awarded for operational service in Malaya, Singapore, China, Hong Kong or Sumatra between 8th December 1941 and 2nd September 1945. The colours of the ribbon represent the jungle, the beaches and the 3 services.

This star was awarded for operational service in Burma between 11th December 1941 and 2nd September 1945. Those serving in Bengal and Assam in India and in China, Hong Kong, Malaya or Sumatra between other specified dates could also qualify. The colours of the ribbon represent the sun, and British and Commonwealth forces.

The Italy Star was awarded to personnel who had been on operations in Sicily or Italy between 11th July 1943 and 8th May 1945. Those who served in Yugoslavia, Greece, Corsica or Sardinia between certain other specified dates also qualified.

The France and Germany Star was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands or Germany between 6th June 1944 (D-Day landings) and 8th May 1945 (VE Day). The colours of the ribbon represent the national colours of the United Kingdom, France and The Netherlands.

The Defence Medal was awarded to personnel in non-operational roles, such as working in headquarters, on training bases and airfields, or as members of the Home Guard. The medal was also awarded for non-operational service overseas, for example in India or South Africa. The colours of the ribbon symbolise enemy attacks on Britain’s ‘green and pleasant land’ and the black- out.

The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to all full time personnel of the Armed Forces wherever they had served during the war. Operational and non-operational service counted, provided personnel had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. In the Merchant Navy there was the requirement that 28 days should be served at sea.

In 2014, to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the French Government issued the Légion d'honneur, the country's highest distinction, to all surviving personnel who took part in the Normandy landings. More than 6,000 have been awarded.

The Victoria Cross is the premier Operational Gallantry award given for ‘most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy’. It may be awarded to all ranks of the services and civilians and can be awarded posthumously.

The Distinguished Service Order is an operational gallantry award given for highly successful command and leadership during active operations. Personnel who perform a further act of such leadership which would have merited a second award of the would be issued with a gold bar. It may be awarded to all ranks of the services.

The Distinguished Service Cross was an operational gallantry award given to all ranks of the services in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea. Personnel who would have merited a second award of the were issued with a silver bar.

The Military Cross is an operational gallantry award given to all ranks of the services in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. Personnel who would have merited a second were issued with a silver bar ornamented by the crown.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is an operational gallantry award given to all ranks of the services in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air. Personnel who would have merited a second award of the would be issued with a silver bar ornamented by an eagle.

The Air Force Cross is a non-operational award given to all ranks of the services in recognition of exemplary gallantry while flying not in the presence of the enemy.

The George Medal is awarded for conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy. A silver bar may be issued to George Medal holders who perform a further act of such bravery.

A Mention in Despatches is an operational gallantry award given to all ranks for an act (or acts) of bravery during active operations. It is in the form of a silver oak leaf.