Summary

Australia
The Defence Medal 1939 - 45
un-named
ST42166: FOUR WORLD WAR II REPLACEMENT MEDALS (NO ENGRAVED NAME OR NUMBER) 1939-1945 STAR, THE PACIFIC STAR, THE AFRICA STAR, THE DEFENCE MEDAL.

Physical Description

A cupro-nickel medal with mount and ribbon. The obverse features a bare head of King George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: (Translation - George VI by the Grace of God King of all the British, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); the artist's initials H.P. (T.H. Paget) in the field below the neck. The reverse depicts a Royal Crown above a small oak tree growing on land surrounded by water, with two lions as supporters; around, 1939 1945; in exergue, THE DEFENCE MEDAL; the artist's monogram HWP (H. Wilson Parker) among the roots of the tree. The edge is plain.

Obverse Description

Bare head of King George VI facing left; around, 'GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP': (Translation - George VI by the Grace of God King of all the British, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); the artist's initials 'H.P.' (T.H. Paget) in the field below the neck.

Reverse Description

A Royal Crown above a small oak tree which growing on land surrounded by water, with two lions as supporters; around, 1939 1945; in exergue, THE DEFENCE MEDAL; the artist's monogram HWP (H. Wilson Parker) among the roots of the tree.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Awarded to members of the armed forces serving for:
six months in specified non-operational areas subjected to enemy air attack or closely threatened
six months at any time between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 in the Northern Territory north of 14° 30' South and the Torres Strait Islands.
twelve months non-specified non-operational service overseas from or outside Australia
three months within the period stated Mine and Bomb Disposal units employed in areas subjected to enemy air attack or closely threatened.

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