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29/03/2024 10:34am

Australia Service Medal 1939-45

Conflict
 
World War II.
 
Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.
 
History
 
The Australia Service Medal 1939–45 was an Australian campaign medal presented for service during World War II. The medal was instituted in 1949 and awarded to members of Australia's armed forces, Mercantile Marine and Volunteer Defence Corps who served at least 18 months full-time service or three years' part-time service for overseas between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
 
On 16 August 1996, the qualifying period was reduced to 30 days for full-time service and 90 days for part-time service.
 
The medal was awarded in addition to the standard Commonwealth campaign awards for World War II.
 
Description
 
The medal is circular, 36mm in diameter and was struck in cupro-nickel. The obverse of this medal bears the crowned effigy of King George VI, and the inscription; ‘GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP:’ (George VI by the grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India).
 
The reverse depicts the Commonwealth Coat of Arms surrounded by the words; ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939–1945’.
 
The ribbon suspender is of the plain, straight and non-swivelling style riveted to the medal.
 
The medal was issued named with the service number of the recipient prefixed with a letter donating the state in which he/she enlisted including 'N' for New South Wales, 'Q' for Queensland. 'S' for South Australia, 'T' for Tasmania, 'V' for Victoria and 'W' for Western Australia.
 
Ribbon
 
 
The medal ribbon is 33mm wide and has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, and edge stripes, one of dark blue the other of light blue.
 
The khaki represents the Australian nature of the award, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Army, Navy and Air Force respectively.
 
Bars/Clasps
 
None were authorised for this medal.
 
Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.
 
Dealer Retail Value *
 
Australia Service Medal 1939-45
£45.00
 
* It should be noted that the values quoted above reflect the average price that a medal dealer may expect to sell this medal for - please see the ‘things you should know’ web page for more details about valuing medals.
 
Further Historical Context
 
This section contains information on:-
 
- Australian Forces During World War II.
 
Australian Forces During World War II - Australia entered World War II shortly after the invasion of Poland, declaring war on Germany on 3 September 1939. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and the South West Pacific theatre. In addition, Australia came under direct attack for the first time in its post-colonial history. Its casualties from enemy action during the war were 27,073 killed and 23,477 wounded.
 
In effect, Australia fought two wars between 1939 and 1945 - one against Germany and Italy as part of the British Commonwealth's war effort and the other against Japan in alliance with the United States and Britain. While most Australian forces were withdrawn from the Mediterranean following the outbreak of war in the Pacific, they continued to take part in large numbers in the air offensive against Germany.
 
From 1942 until early 1944, Australian forces played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength throughout much of the fighting in the South West Pacific. The military was largely relegated to subsidiary fronts from mid-1944, but continued offensive operations against the Japanese until the war ended.
 
World War II contributed to major changes in the nation's economy, military and foreign policy. The war accelerated the process of industrialisation, led to the development of a larger peacetime military and began the process with which Australia shifted the focus of its foreign policy from Britain to the United States. The final effects of the war also fostered the development of a more diverse and cosmopolitan Australian society.
 
This information was taken from ‘Wikipedia’. The original article and details of the authors can be found here. It is reproduced on this web-site under the ‘creative commons’ licence which can be found here.