Name/Title
Framed Defence MedalEntry/Object ID
2023.68Description
The obverse, designed by Humphrey Paget, shows the bareheaded effigy of King George VI, facing left. Around the perimeter is the legend "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP."
The reverse, designed by Harold Parker, shows the Royal Crown resting on an oak sapling, flanked by a lion and a lioness above stylised waves. At the top left is the year "1939" and at the top right the year "1945". The exergue has the words "THE DEFENCE MEDAL" in two lines.
The rim is impressed with the recipient's unit number, initials and surname in block capitals.
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, with a 4½ millimetres wide green band, a 1 millimetre wide black band and a 4½ millimetres wide green band, repeated and separated by a 12 millimetres wide orange band. The flame-coloured orange centre band and the green bands symbolise enemy attacks on Britain's green and pleasant land while the narrow black bands represent the black-outs against air attacks.
All ribbons for the British issued medals of the Second World War, with the exception of the Arctic Star, were devised by King George VI.Use
This Defence Medal was awarded to Aircraftman Class 1 88679 Raymond Stephen Thomas WOOD, who served with the RAAF in Darwin from May 30, 1944 until his discharge on July 14, 1945.Location
Building
Henley & Grange RSL Sub-branch