Description
On the original version, a circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The British issue medals were made of cupro-nickel. A plain, straight non-swiveling suspender with a single-toed claw. The award was established on 16 August 1945. The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and consists of seven coloured stripes: red, dark blue, white, narrow red, white, dark blue, and red. The obverse shows the crowned coinage effigy of King George VI, facing left, and the legend GEORGIVS VI D : BR : OMN : REX ET INDIAE IMP : The reverse shows a lion standing on the body of a double-headed dragon. The dragon’s heads are those of an eagle and a dragon to signify the principal occidental and oriental enemies. At the top, right of centre are the dates 1939/1945 in two lines.