British military medals and how to apply

Constituents may contact their Member of Parliament seeking advice on eligibility – and how to apply – for a particular military medal. This could include constituents who have served in the armed forces and are seeking advice as to how to claim a medal they believe they are entitled to, or their next of kin.

Medals awarded by both the British government and foreign governments are covered in this paper.

World War One medals were issued to the recipient or next of kin after the war ended and the MOD Medal Office does not provide replacements. Medals for later conflicts and campaigns may still be applied for, and include the following (a complete list is available on gov.uk: Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility).

World War Two medals

Nine stars were issued for the campaigns of World War Two. These are:

• 1939 to 1945 Star
• Atlantic Star
• Air Crew Europe Star
• Arctic Star
• Africa Star
• Pacific Star: Malaya, Singapore and the Pacific Ocean
• Burma Star
• Italy Star
• France and Germany Star

In addition to these stars, the Defence Medal was awarded for non-operational service and the War Medal awarded to all full-time armed forces personnel.

Veterans of the Normandy Landings are also eligible to receive the Légion d’Honneur, issued by the French government.

A badge formally recognising the contribution of the Women’s Land Army and the Women’s Timber Corps was announced on 6 December 2007, but is no longer being issued.

Post-World War Two medals

A series of general service medals were instituted to recognise service in specific geographic areas, as well as medals for specific campaigns, including:

• Korea Medal
• Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal
• South Atlantic Medal
• Gulf Medal 1990-1991
• Operational Service Medal – Iraq and Syria
• Operational Service Medal – Sierra Leone
• Operational Service Medal – Afghanistan
• Operational Service Medal – Democratic Republic of Congo
• Iraq Medal
• Ebola Medal

In addition, Queen Elizabeth II granted permission for British service personnel to accept, but not wear, the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and the Saudi Liberation of Kuwait Medal. The governments of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia issued these medals to the allied personnel who had taken part in the liberation of Kuwait in 1990-1991.