Defence Medal issued for service in the British Army during World War II
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 4.750 inches (12.065 cm) | Width: 1.500 inches (3.81 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
Archival History
The medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2000 by Joan Ringelheim.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Joan Ringelheim
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Circular, silver colored cupro-nickel alloy medal with a striped grosgrain ribbon. On the front is an embossed image of a male head in left profile, the uncrowned effigy of George VI, with Latin text circling the border and artist's initials, HP, below the bust. The reverse has an embossed image of the Royal crown resting on a stylized oak tree supported on either side by a heraldic lion, with the dates to the left and right. Below are embossed wavy lines to represent the sea and English text. At the top of the medal is a suspension with a cylindrical top bar through which the ribbon is inserted. The vertically striped ribbon has a wide, central orange stripe flanked by 2 broad stripes of green with superimposed narrow black stripes. The colors symbolize enemy attack during the war: orange for the fires of the Blitz, green for the green and pleasant land, and black for the Blackout. The ribbon is frayed and unsewn at tthe top.
Corporate Bodies
- Anders' Army (Polish 2nd Corps)
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Polish.
- Jewish soldiers--Poland--Biography.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Poland--Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Jewish.
Genre
- Object
- Military Insignia