The Arctic Star Medal: A distinguished accolade honouring the courageous British and Commonwealth soldiers who fearlessly confronted the harsh Arctic weather during WWII. Commemorate their bravery and selflessness with this emblem of distinction. Read more..
The Arctic Star Medal is a military campaign medal instituted by the British government in 2013 to recognize the service of British and Commonwealth forces during the Arctic convoys of World War II.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Arctic Star Medal, personnel must have served north of the Arctic Circle during World War II, specifically on convoy duty to northern Russia, or in support of such convoys in the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.
Design
The medal is designed as a six-pointed star made of a copper-zinc alloy. The obverse of the medal features the Royal cypher, surrounded by the words "The Arctic Star". The reverse of the medal is blank, traditionally engraved with the recipient's name and service number.
Ribbon
The ribbon of the Arctic Star Medal features stripes of light blue, dark blue, and red, with a central white stripe.
The Arctic Star Medal is a symbol of the service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth forces who served in the harsh and dangerous conditions of the Arctic during World War II. It is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by these personnel and their vital role in defending the freedom of the world.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.
