Miniature 1939-45 War Medal
The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea. It is sometimes described as the "Victory Medal" for World War II.
The obverse of the miniature medal bears the crowned head of King George VI and the legend GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMB: REX ET INDIAE IMP:'. The reverse shows a victorious lion trampling on a dragon with the dates 1939-1945' above. The miniature ribbon is a standard width of 16mm and is striped going from red to blue to white from each edge and a narrow central red stripe in the centre. These colours represent the Union flag.
There were no clasps awarded for this medal, but those personnel who were Mentioned in Despatches wore a miniature bronze oak leaf on the ribbon.
AWARD miniature medals complement the full-size official medals and are normally worn for formal dinner dress occasions.
All official medals are sent loose on the ribbon unless medal mounting is also purchased on the same order.