The War Medal 1939–1945 is a campaign medal which was instituted by the United Kingdom on 16th August 1945, for award to subjects of the British Commonwealth who had served full-time in the Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy for at least 28 days between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945.
The British House of Commons decided that Second World War campaign medals awarded to British forces would be issued unnamed, a practice followed by all but four British Commonwealth countries.
A bronze oak leaf emblem is worn on the ribbon to signify a Mention in Dispatches, a King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct or a King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
