Physical description
Medals described from left to right:
The 1939-45 Star
Designed by the Royal Mint Engravers
The star has a ring suspender which passes through an eyelet formed above the uppermost part of the star.
A six -pointed star, in yellow copper zinc alloyto fit in a 44mm diameter circle.
Maximum width of 38mm and 50mm high from the bottom point of the star to the top of the eyelet.
Obverse side has a central design of the Royal Cypher "GRI VI" surmounted by a crown. A circlet, the top of which is covered by the crown, surrounds of the cypher and is inscribed "The 1939-1945 Star".
The reverse is plain.
The ribbon (devised by King George VI) is 32mm wide with equal bands of Navy blue, Army red and Air Force blue.
The Italy Star
Designed by the Royal Mint Engravers
The star has a ring suspender which passes through an eyelet formed above the uppermost part of the star.
A six -pointed star, in yellow copper zinc alloy to fit in a 44mm diameter circle.
Maximum width of 38mm and 50mm high from the bottom point of the star to the top of the eyelet.
Obverse side has a central design of the Royal Cypher "GRI VI" surmounted by a crown. A circlet, the top of which is covered by the crown, surrounds of the cypher and is inscribed "The Italy Star."
The reverse is plain.
The ribbon (devised by King George VI) is 32mm wide with 7mm red and 6mm white band repeated in reverse and separated by 6mm wide green band. Colours of the Italian flag.
The Defence Medal
The medal is cupro -nickel. It has an uncrowned effigy of King George vi on the obverse.
The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally placed with a crown above with two lions as supporters. Between the supporters are the dates 1939 - 1945. The base of the medal has the words "The Defence Medal".
The ribbon (devised by King George VI) is orange with green outer stripes. Each green stripe has a black pin stripe running down the centre. The green represents the islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents the enemy attacks and the black represents the black outs.
The War Medal
The war medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the observe. The reverse has a lion standing on the double-headed dragon. The top of the ribbon shows the date 1939-1945. The ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the union flag.
Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australian Service Medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of king George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally surrounded by the words 'the Australian service medal 1939-1945. The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red striped which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, RAN, and RAAF respectively.
Inscriptions & markings
The 1939-45 Star Orlowski E.T. etched on the back of the medal.
The Italy Star Orlowski E.T. etched on the back of the medal.
The Defence Medal 56380 Orlowski E.T. etched on the rim of the medal.
War Medal 1939-45 56380 Orlowski E.T. etched on the rim of the medal.
Australian Service medal 1939-1945 Orlowski E. T. etched on the rim of the medal.
