The 1st of September 2024, marks the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War. Lasting six years in total, from September 1939 to September 1945, it is recognised as the bloodiest war in our history. The conflict saw more than 50 nations serve in the battle, with over 100 million soldiers being deployed to fight.
Great Britain was one of the major allies of WW2, along with the United States, China and the Soviet Union, following major war events. The Second World War was long and complex, with many key moments that will be written in history forever.
1939: On the 1st of September 1939, Adolf Hitler sent troops to invade Poland with the aim of claiming more land under the power of Nazi Germany. In response to this aggressive conquest, Britain and France proceeded to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II.
1941: The period between September 1940 and May 1941 is known as The Blitz. This was a ruthless and relentless bombing campaign by Nazi Germany on the United Kingdom, causing major destruction in the UK’s major cities. From the 7th of September, Germany attacked London for 57 consecutive nights. In the nine months when the air raids took place, 43,500 civilians were sadly killed.
1941: The genocide of Jewish people and other minority groups began, marking one of the darkest chapters in human history, known as the "Final Solution". During the war, the Nazi regime took the lives of over 6 million European Jews.
1944: D-Day commenced on the 6th of June 1944 and is history’s largest seaborne invasion. The Allied forces landed on the five beaches of Normandy, France, which were occupied by Nazi Germany at the time. This operation was a major turning point in the Second World War, as it opened up a crucial Western front, allowing the Allies to push toward Germany. Read more about D-Day.
1945: The 8th May 1945 is known as Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), and became a celebration of Germany’s surrender and the fighting in Europe came to an end. Street parties took place across the country and civilians gathered outside Buckingham Palace wearing red, white and blue. The conflict continued in Japan for the next few months, finally coming to an end in August 1945.
British Army Medals and Ribbons from Award
We offer a range of replica medals for WW2, all of which are made to the same exacting standards as the original. As original WW2 medals were not engraved at the time of issue, we do not offer this service with these products.
1939-45 Star Full Size Medal
This was the first campaign medal of the British Commonwealth for service in WW2 and was awarded for operational service between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945.
As per the name, the 1939-45 Star Medal is shaped like a star with 6 points. In the centre, it features the Crowned Royal Cipher "GRI VI" with an inscription of "THE 1939 - 1945 STAR" around the cipher. The reverse of the medal is blank.
Full Size 1939-45 War Medal
Servicemen in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy were eligible for this medal if they had served full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
The front of the War Medal depicts the crowned head of King George VI, while the reverse features a victorious lion trampling on a dragon with the dates 1939-1945.
Full Size Defence Medal
This campaign medal was awarded for service in WW2 in recognition of military service and civilian service in some instances, including Home Guard, Fire Brigades, Police, Coast Guard and more.
The obverse of the Defence Medal features King George VI, while the reverse shows 2 lions flanking a crowned oak sapling, with the dates 1939 and 1945.
Browse our full range of Second World War British Army Medals and Ribbons.
