Victory Medal MiniatureA replica miniature of The Victory Medal 5,334,522 Victory medals were awarded and this gives us an idea of the scale of the war which had just been fought. This medal was awarded to personnel who had served in an operational theatre of war either on land, in the air or at sea. The medal was instituted to obviate the need for an exchange of medals between the allies, instead each allied country issued its own victory medal using the same ribbon and an

The criteria was not made retrospective

eligibility for the Air Force Cross was extended across all ranks of the Royal Air Force

the Arctic Star serves as a lasting tribute to one of the most demanding campaigns of the Second World War

we shall defend our Island

Around the edge appears the inscription:

Recognises non-operational flying service

The 1939-45 Defence Medal was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth

except the Victoria Cross

ensuring complete historical accuracy and superior craftsmanship

particularly when they have become tarnished over time

Around 1900 awards of the DCM were made during World War Two with nine recipeints receiving a bar

this award was discontinued in 1993 following the review of the honours system and replaced with the Distinguished Service Cross