Civil Defence Medal
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The Civil Defence Long Service Medal (CDM) was a long service award in the United Kingdom instituted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in March 1961 and awarded for 15 years continuous sparetime voluntary service in a variety of different organizations including the Auxiliary Fire Service, National Hospital Service Reserve, United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation and the Civil Defence Corps. [1]
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[edit] Description
An oval medallion measuring 38mm high by 32mm wide in a silver coloured cupro nickel metal. On the obverse is the crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II and the legend ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF. The reverse of the medal depicts three shields bearing the initials of the three main services "CD", "AFS" and "NHSR" with an oak branch in the background. A separate Northern Ireland version existed with the lower shields bearing "AFRS" and "HRS".
A bar clasp bearing "LONG SERVICE" was issued for each further period of 12 years service. The medal ribbon was dark blue with three stripes of yellow red and green. (the yellow being worn furthest from the left shoulder.)
[edit] Naming
The medals were issued unnamed
[edit] Disestablishment of the recipient organisations
With the disbandment of the Auxiliary Fire Service, National Hospital Service Reserve, and the Civil Defence Corps in 1968 only members of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation continued to receive the medal. Since the disestablishment of the UKWMO as well, the CDM has not been awarded on the UK mainland since 1992, although it is retained and is still awarded to certain voluntary organisations on the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Should any of the former voluntary organisations be reformed in the future or similar organisations established, the Civil Defence Medal remains extant and awards would recommence.
