Historical information

Australian Service Medal issued for military service during World War II

Significance

A replica set of 4 medal Court Mounted that were issued to Sydney P Howe. (The original medals held by the family)

Physical description

Replica set WWII court mounted War Medals in order from left to right Australian Service Metal, 1939-45 War Medal, Defence Medal, Africa Star with 8 Army Clasp and the 1939-45 Star

Inscriptions & markings

1939 -45 Star "A six‑pointed yellow copper‑zinc alloy star with the Royal and Imperial cypher on the obverse and a ribbon of dark blue, red and light blue representing the Navy, Army and Air Force":
Africa Star - A six‑pointed yellow copper‑zinc alloy star with the Royal and Imperial cypher on the obverse and a ribbon of a sand‑coloured ribbon with red, dark blue, and light blue stripes;
Defence Medal A circular, silver medal (80% pure), 1.42 inches in diameter. The British issue medals were made of cupro-nickel. Mounting includes a plain, straight, non-swivelling suspender with a single-toed claw. The obverse shows the bareheaded coinage effigy of King George VI, facing left, and the legend: GEORGIVS VI D: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:

On the reverse, the Royal Crown rests on the stump of an oak tree, flanked by a lion and a lioness. At the top left is the date 1939, and at the top right, the date 1945. In exergue, though not ruled off, is the wording: THE DEFENCE/MEDAL.

The light green ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a central stripe of orange and a narrow black stripe in the middle of each green stripe. The orange represents the enemy attacks on the green land of England while the black represents the blackouts against air attacks;

The War Medal 1939 - 45 is a disc 36millimetrein diameter. The non swivelling straight bar suspender is attached to the medal with a single-toe claw mount and a pin through the upper edge of the medal. The British issued medals were struck in cupronickel. The medal is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "Victory Medal: of the Second World War. Around the perimeter is the legend "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP""

The reverse shows a lion standing wanton on the body of a double-headed dragon. The dragon's head are those of an eagle and a dragon, to signify the principal occidental and oriental enemies during the Second World War. At the top, just to the right ot centre are the years "1939" and "1945"in two lines. The initials ËCRP" of designer Edward Carter Preston are near the rim at the nine o'clock position.

Australian Service Medal 1939 45 The medal is in form and of nickel silver, an alloy pf copper, nickel and zinc, and on the obverse bear the Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign, and on the reverse the coat of arms of the commonwealth of Australia, surrounded by the words "The Australian Service Medal 1939-45.
The ribbon has a wide central stripe, flanked by to two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force respectively.
The rim of the medal bears the name and service number of the recipient