This is the classic pair of campaign awards for WW2; indeed, other than the India Service Medal and the War Medal in silver for the Canadians, they were the only circular medals issued by the British Empire in WW2.
The Defence Medal was awarded to service personnel for three years' service at home, one year's service in a non-operational area (eg India), or six months' service overseas in territories subject to air attack or otherwise closely threatened (eg Egypt). Personnel of anti-aircraft command, RAF ground crews, dominion forces stationed in the UK, the Home Guard, Civil Defence, National Fire Service, and many other units qualified for it.
The War Medal was awarded to all full-time personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving, so long as they had served for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. It was granted in addition to the Campaign Stars and the Defence Medal. A few categories of civilians, such as war correspondents and ferry pilots who had flown in operational theatres, also qualified.
The condition of the Defence Medal is GVF and the War Medal is AVF. The ribbon for the Defence Medal is missing. Subsequent to taking the photos, I found a small piece of original ribbon for the War Medal.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Militaria : Medals : British : 20th Century]
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