Download World War Two - Department of Defence

World
War Two
Campaign Medals
Defence
Honours
& Awards
Australia
and the Second
World War
Australia entered World War II on
3 September 1939, shortly after the
invasion of Poland by Germany.
On 14 September 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced
that 40 000 members of the Militia would be called up for training. A
further volunteer force of 20 000 men was assembled, who would be
known as the Second Australian Imperial Force, for overseas service.
Photo: Australian War Memorial Neg ARTV06766
It would be six years before Australia, and the world, was at
peace again.
LG McPherson One in - all in 1939-1942
Australian men and women served in the Navy, Army, Air Force and
the Merchant Navy in campaigns against Germany and Italy in
Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa as well as against
Japan in South-East Asia and other parts of the Pacific in alliance
with the United States and Britain.
Photo: Australian War Memorial Neg 005326
On Australian Soil
For the first time in Australia’s history, the Australian mainland came
under direct attack, as Japanese aircraft bombed towns in
north-west Australia and Japanese midget submarines attacked
Sydney Harbour.
Victory in Europe and the Pacific
On 7 May 1945 the German High Command authorised the signing
of an unconditional surrender on all fronts: the war in Europe was
over. The surrender was to take effect at midnight on 8 May 1945.
On 14 August 1945 when Japan accepted a demand for
unconditional surrender, World War II was officially ended and
Australia was at peace again.
Recognising their service
During World War II, almost one million Australian men and women
served, playing a vital role in the war effort and qualified for one or
more of the following service medals:
The 1939 – 45 Star
The Atlantic Star
The Air Crew Europe Star
For operational service
during World War II.
To commemorate those
who fought in the Battle of
the Atlantic between
3 September 1939 and
8 May 1945.
For operational flying from
United Kingdom bases
over Europe between 3
September 1939 and 5
June 1944.
The Africa Star
The Pacific Star
The Burma Star
For operational service
in North Africa between
10 June 1940 when Italy
entered the war, to 12 May
1943, when operations
against the enemy in North
Africa ceased.
For operational service in
the Pacific Theatre between
8 December 1941 and 2
September 1945.
For operational service in the
Burma Campaign between
11 December 1941 and 2
September 1945.
The France and
Germany Star
The Defence Medal
The Africa Star may also
be awarded for operational
service during the Syrian
Campaign in the period
from 8 June 1941 to 11
July 1941.
For operational service on
land in France, Belgium,
Holland or Germany after
the D-Day landings on
6 June 1944 until 8 May
1945, when the active
hostilities ended in Europe.
For specified periods of
service in non-operational
areas subjected to air attack
or closely threatened.
The Italy Star
For operational service
on land in Sicily or Italy
during the campaign from
the capture of Pantellaria
between 11 June 1943 until
8 May 1945, when active
hostilities ended in Europe.
The War Medal 1939 – 1945
For full-time service in the
Armed Forces, wherever
that service may have been
rendered during the war.
Operational and nonoperational service may be
counted, providing that it was
of 28 days or more duration.
In the Merchant Navy there
is a requirement that the 28
days should have been served
at sea.
The Australia Service Medal
1939 – 1945
The Civilian Service Medal
1939 – 1945
Awarded to all members of
the Australian armed forces
and those members of the
Australian Mercantile Marine
who served overseas for at
least 18 months full-time
service or three years’
part-time service between
3 September 1939 and 2
September 1945.
Introduced in 1994 to
recognise service by Australian
civilians in prescribed nonDefence organisations such as
the Australian Women’s Land
Army, the Civil Constructional
Corps and the Red Cross
Emergency Service Companies
during World War II.
On 16 August 1996, the
qualifying periods for the
award of the Australia Service
Medal 1939-45 were changed
to 30 days full-time or 90 days
part-time service, respectively.
How do I apply for my relative’s medals?
Whilst Defence Honours and Awards cannot provide replacement
medals to the next of kin of a deceased recipient if they are lost or
damaged, it may issue any unclaimed medals to the executor of the
will (only at the time the will is being executed), or beneficiary of the
will. If, however, after the estate is settled, there are any (future)
unclaimed medals due to the member, please contact Defence
Honours and Awards toll-free on 1800 111 321.
If you would like further information on eligibility or to ascertain what
medals have been awarded or remain outstanding, please contact
Defence Honours and Awards, or alternatively, complete an
application form ‘Application for the Posthumous Issue of Medals
and/or Clasps’, which can be found on the Defence Honours and
Awards’ website at www.defence.gov.au/medals.
Can I wear my relative’s medals?
Although not officially sanctioned, a
protocol has been accepted that family
members of a deceased recipient may
wear that person’s medals on
commemorative occasions such as
Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
In these circumstances, the medals
should be worn on the right side to show
that the wearer is not the original
recipient.
The Order of Wearing Australian
Honours and Awards
The Queen determines the placement of each element in the order
of wearing Australian honours and awards, and a consolidation is
notified by the Governor-General from time to time.
The most recent order was published on 25 September 2007 and
is available from www.itsanhonour.gov.au or the DH&A website
www.defence.gov.au/medals.
Defence Honours & Awards
Defence Honours and Awards
Website: www.defence.gov.au/medals
Phone: 1800 111 321 (toll free)
Address: Defence Honours and Awards
PO Box 7952
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610
Are you researching your family’s military history?
These links may assist you.
www.itsanhonour.gov.au
(medal information including Order of Wear)
www.gg.gov.au
(Office of the Governor-General)
www.naa.gov.au
(National Archives of Australia)
www.awm.gov.au
(Australian War Memorial)
www.dva.gov.au
(Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
www.rsl.org.au
(Returned and Services League of Australia)
www.veterans-uk.info
(UK Service Personnel & Veterans Agency)
DPS MAR035/10
www.mod.uk
(UK Ministry of Defence)