Historical information

Medal belonged to Joan Grace Gibson (Mitchell) Service numbers: VFX53656 VX53656 VX38752.

The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.

Significance

The medal is of high significance and should be kept in the collection.

Physical description

Medal belonged to Joan Grace Gibson (Mitchell) Service numbers: VFX53656 VX53656 VX38752.

Both the obverse and reverse views of the Australia Service Medal, made from cool-to-the-touch nickel-silver. The obverse features a central, textured design of the Australian coat of arms, with the inscription 'THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL/1939-1945' and engravings along the rim reading 'VFX53656/J.G. GIBSON.' The reverse displays a central, textured design of the crowned effigy of King George VI, facing left, with the initials 'PM' [for designer Percy Metcalfe] beneath the truncated neck of the effigy. Surrounding the perimeter is the legend 'GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:', [Latin meaning: 'George VI, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains and Emperor of India.] The ribbon- Dark blue (representing the Royal Australian Navy), khaki (representing the Army), light blue (representing the R.A.A.F) and red (representing the Mercantile Marine).

Inscriptions & markings

'VFX53656 / J.G. GIBSON' [Engraved on the rim]