Historical information

Charles worked in the Merchant service. After enforced retirement due to injury he was active in Civil Defence.

Significance

The Defence Medal is a campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945, to be awarded to citizens of the British Commonwealth for both non-operational military and certain types of civilian war service during the Second World War.
It was Awarded for 3 years, 360, 180 or 90 days, depending on area and nature of service

Physical description

The medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.

The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL’.

The ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre. The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs.

The medal is housed in a small cardboard box. There is a loose leaf of paper with the medal which conveys salutations.

Inscriptions & markings

Front of the box: (in black) stamp O.H.M.S. / circular stamp with English crown : OFFICIAL PAID
Typewritten in blue ink: Mr. C. Page/50 High Street/Woolton/LIVERPOOL
Back of the box: printed in black ink: If undelivered, return to/Defence Medal/Central Index/Home Office/Whitehall/S.W.I