Naval General Service Medal (1915)

Award

Naval General Service Medal (1915)

Obverse and reverse of the medal

Type| Campaign medal
Awarded for| Campaign service.
Description| Silver disk, 36mm diameter
Presented by| United Kingdom and Commonwealth
Eligibility| Naval and Marine forces
Campaign(s)| Minor campaigns 1909–62
Clasps| 17
Established| 6 August 1915
Last awarded| For service in December 1962

Ribbon: crimson with three white stripes
Ribbon with bronze oak leaf for a mention in despatches (1920 onwards)
Related| General Service Medal (1918),
General Service Medal (1962)

The Naval General Service Medal (1915 NGSM) was instituted in 1915 to recognise service by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in minor campaigns that would not otherwise earn a specific campaign medal. The Army/Air Force equivalent was the General Service Medal (1918). Both these medals were replaced by the General Service Medal in 1962.

## Description

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* The medal is silver and is 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter. The obverse bears the image of one of three successive Sovereigns, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.[1]
* The reverse, designed by Margaret Winser,[2] shows a mounted figure of Britannia in a chariot pulled by two sea-horses, her left hand resting on a union shield.[3]
* The name and details of the recipient were impressed on the edge of the medal.[2]
* The 32 millimetres (1.3 in) wide ribbon is crimson-coloured with three white stripes.[2]
* From 1920 a bronze oak leaf emblem is worn on the ribbon of the medal to signify a mention in dispatches for a campaign for which the NGSM was awarded.[2]

### Obverse variations

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The medal was awarded with one of five obverse designs:[2]

* King George V (1915–20)

* George VI (1st type) 'INDIAE IMP' (1936–49)

* George VI (2nd type) without 'INDIAE IMP' (1949–52)

* Elizabeth II (1st type) 'BR OMN' (1952–53)

* Elizabeth II (2nd type) 'DEI GRATIA' (1953–62)

## Clasps

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The 1915 NGSM was never awarded without a clasp. The seventeen clasps authorised are list below,[2] the figures in brackets denoting the number awarded.[1]

* Persian Gulf 1909–1914 (7,164, including 37 to the Indian Army, travelling aboard H.M.S. Pelorus). For operations against pirates, gun-runners and slavers.
* Iraq 1919–1920 (116).[4] For river gunboat service during the Arab revolt.
* N.W. Persia 1920 (4). Awarded to the four members of the Naval Mission to the Caspian Sea.[5]
* Palestine 1936–39 (13,600). For service during the uprising by Palestinian Arabs.
* S.E. Asia 1945-46 (2,000). For operations in Java, Sumatra and French Indochina, prior to handover to the pre-war colonial power.
* Minesweeping 1945–51 (4,750). For 6 months minesweeping service in specified areas across the world.
* Palestine 1945–48 (7,900). For service during the post-war Jewish insurgency, including coastal patrols against illegal Jewish immigration.
* Malaya (7,800). For service in Malaya and Singapore between 1948-60 during the state of emergency.
* Yangtze 1949 (1,450). For the attack on HMS Amethyst and other vessels by Communist Chinese forces.
* Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945–46. For operations by the Royal Australian Navy, very few clasps with these dates being awarded.[1]
* Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945–53 (145). For 6 months spent in clearance operations in specified areas across the world.
* B & M Clearance Mediterranean[6] (60). For bomb and mine clearance between 1953-60 by divers, and to seamen who moved recovered bombs, mostly in Valletta harbour.
* Canal Zone For service in the Suez Canal Zone between October 1951 and October 1954. (Authorised 2003).[7]
* Cyprus (4,300). For operations against EOKA insurgents, 1955–59.
* Near East (17,800). For operations during the Suez Crisis of 1956.
* Arabian Peninsula (1,200). For service against dissidents and cross-border raids between 1957–60.
* Brunei (900). For service in Brunei, North Borneo and Sarawak in December 1962, a large proportion awarded to Royal Marines of 42 Commando.

## References

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1. ^ a b c John Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 182\. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.
2. ^ a b c d e f Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. pp. 233–237. Published Spink, London. 1988.
3. ^ Edward C Joslin (1973). Observer Book of British Awards and Medals. Frederick Warne & Co. p. 144.
4. ^ British Battles and Medals states that 128 Iraq 1919-1920 clasps were awarded, see page 234
5. ^ Orders and Medals Research Society Journal, June 2017, page 140
6. ^ "The Saleroom auction results". Example medal confirms that abbreviation "B&M" appeared on clasp.
7. ^ "General Service Medal: service in the Suez Canal Zone". Gov.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2016.

## External links

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* ODM of the UK
* NZDF medals
* ADF Honours and Awards

* v
* t
* e

British campaign medals

18th century|

* Naval General Service Medal (1793–1840)
* Naval Gold Medal (1793–1815)
* Military General Service Medal (1793–1814)

19th century|

* Army of India Medal (1803–26)
* Army Gold Cross/Army Gold Medal (1806–14)
* Waterloo Medal (1815)
* South Africa Medal (1834–6, 1846–7, 1850–3)
* Ghuznee Medal (1839)
* First China War Medal (1839–42)
* Jellalabad Medals (1841–2)
* Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal (1842)
* Medal for the Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie (1842)
* Scinde Medal (1843)
* Gwalior Star (1843)
* Sutlej Medal (1845–6)
* New Zealand Medal (1845–7, 1860–6)
* Punjab Medal (1848–9)
* India General Service Medal (1852–95)
* Baltic Medal (1854–5)
* Crimean War Medal (1854–6)
* Indian Mutiny Medal (1857–8)
* Second China War Medal (1857–60)
* Canada General Service Medal (1866–70)
* Abyssinian War Medal (1867–8)
* Ashantee Medal (1873–4)
* South Africa Medal (1877–9)
* Afghanistan Medal (1878–80)
* Kabul to Kandahar Star (1880)
* Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal (1880-1, 1896–7)
* Egypt Medal (1882–9)
* Royal Niger Company Medal (1886–97)
* North West Canada Medal (1885)
* East and West Africa Medal (1887–1900)
* British South Africa Company Medal (1890–7)
* Central Africa Medal (1891–8)
* India Medal (1895–1902)
* Ashanti Star (1895–6)
* Queen's Sudan Medal (1896–8)
* East and Central Africa Medal (1897–9)
* Queen's South Africa Medal (1899–1902)
* Queen's Mediterranean Medal (1899–1902)
* Transport Medal (1899–1902)
* China War Medal (1900)
* Ashanti Medal (1900)

20th century
pre-First World War|

* King's South Africa Medal (1902)
* Africa General Service Medal (1902–56)
* Tibet Medal (1905)
* Natal Native Rebellion Medal (1906)
* India General Service Medal (1909)

First World War|

* 1914 Star
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* Victory Medal (United Kingdom)
* Victory Medal (South Africa)
* Territorial War Medal

Inter World War|

* Naval General Service Medal (1915)
* General Service Medal (1918)
* India General Service Medal (1936)

Second World War|

* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal 1939–1945
* Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
* Africa Service Medal
* India Service Medal
* New Zealand War Service Medal
* Australia Service Medal
* Southern Rhodesia Service Medal

Post War|

* Korea Medal (1951)
* Nuclear Test Medal (1952)
* General Service Medal (1962)
* Rhodesia Medal (1980)
* South Atlantic Medal (1982)
* Gulf Medal (1992)

21st century|

* OSM for Sierra Leone (2000)
* OSM for Afghanistan (2002)
* OSM for Democratic Republic of Congo (2003)
* Iraq Medal (2004)
* Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal (2004)
* Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) (2011)
* Ebola Medal (2015)
* General Service Medal (2008) (2015)
* OSM for Iraq & Syria (2017)
* Humanitarian Medal (2023)
* Wider Service Medal (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Australian campaign medals

See also
Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

Mahdist War|

* Egypt Medal (1882–89)

Second Boer War|

* Queen's South Africa Medal (1899–1902)
* King's South Africa Medal (1902)

Boxer Rebellion|

* China War Medal (1900)

World War I|

* 1914 Star
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* Victory Medal

General Service|

* Naval General Service Medal 1915–62
* General Service Medal 1918–62

World War II|

* 1939–45 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Arctic Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal, 1939–45
* Australia Service Medal 1939–45

1945–1975|

* Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
* Korea Medal (1950–53)
* United Nations Service Medal for Korea (1950–53)
* Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–56)
* General Service Medal 1962 (1962–1975)
* Vietnam Medal (1964–73)
* Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–73)
* Australian Service Medal 1945–1975

1975–2012|

* Australian Active Service Medal (1975–2012)
* International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000)
* Afghanistan Medal (2001–14)
* Iraq Medal (2003–13)
* Australian Service Medal (1975–2012)
* Rhodesia Medal (1979–80)

2012–|

* Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–)

* v
* t
* e

New Zealand campaign medals

19th century|

* New Zealand War Medal

Second Boer War|

* Queen's South Africa Medal
* King's South Africa Medal

World War I|

* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Victory Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal

World War II|

* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal
* New Zealand War Service Medal (1939–45)

General Service|

* Naval General Service Medal (1915–62)
* General Service Medal (1918–62)
* General Service Medal (1962–2003)
* New Zealand Operational Service Medal (1945–present)

Post-World War II|

* New Zealand Service Medal 1946–1949 (1946–49)
* Korea Medal (1950–53)
* Vietnam Medal (1964–73)
* Rhodesia Medal (1979–1980)
* New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) (1956–1991)
* New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) (1954–present)
* East Timor Medal (1999–2006)

21st century|

* NZGSM 2002 (Solomon Islands)(2000–2013)
* NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan) – Primary Operations Area (2001–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan) – Secondary Operations Area (2001–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Iraq 2003) (2003–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Timor-Leste) (2006–2012)
* NZGSM 2002 (Korea) (2001–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Counter-Piracy) (2009–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Iraq 2015) (2014–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Greater Middle East) (2014–present)

Special service|

* New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) (1956–1973)
* New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) (1979–1980)
* New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) (2004–2005)

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