Medal winners

Hundreds of thousands of men who served with the armed services, some women and some civilians received at least one WW II medal. There are two main kinds of WW II medal awards: campaign medals and gallantry or meritorious service awards.

British campaign medals were awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, Allied forces and civilians participating in specified military campaigns. The three most common WWII Campaign Medals were the Defence Medal (awarded for non-operational service in the Armed Forces, the Home Guard the Civil Defence Service and other approved civilian services), the War Medal 1939–1945 (award to citizens of the British Commonwealth who had served full-time in the Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945) or, broadly, the 1939-45 Star Medal (awarded for service 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945 if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service)

All men and women who served their country in times of conflict were heroes. Many were known to have gone beyond the call of duty. Some of those men and women were awarded medals for a conspicuous and gallant act of valour in the presence of the enemy.