English WW2 Medal | WW2 War Medal

This British World War II War Medal, officially known as the "War Medal 1939–1945", was a campaign medal instituted in 1945 to recognize full-time service in the Armed Forces of British Citizens during the Second World War. It was awarded to all personnel who served for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. This made it one of the most broadly distributed British medals of the war, covering virtually every branch and theater of service, including members of the colonial forces and auxiliary services.

The medal itself is made of cupro-nickel and measures 36 mm in diameter. On the obverse, it bears the crowned effigy of King George VI, facing left, with the Latin inscription "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP", meaning “George VI, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains and Emperor of India.” The reverse depicts a lion standing on the body of a double-headed dragon, symbolizing the defeated Axis powers—Germany and Japan. 

Unlike campaign stars that were awarded for specific theaters or operations, the War Medal served as a general recognition of wartime service, often awarded alongside more specific medals such as the Defence Medal or campaign stars like the Atlantic Star or Africa Star. It remains one of the most recognizable British military medals of the twentieth century and is often seen in groups on the uniforms or collections of WWII veterans.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your medal will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

It is relatively easy to own a British World War II War Medal today because it was issued in vast numbers—millions were awarded to servicemen and women across the British Empire. Unlike rarer decorations given only for acts of gallantry or specific campaigns, the War Medal was granted to anyone who met the basic requirement of 28 days of service during the war, regardless of rank, role, or theater of operations. This wide eligibility means that these medals are not rare, and many survive in excellent condition due to the relatively recent nature of the conflict and the use of durable materials in their production.

Most of the War Medals available today come from estate sales, antique shops, militaria dealers, or descendants of veterans who have chosen to part with them. Because they were generally issued unnamed, there is usually no identifying mark tying them to a specific individual unless the original owner had it privately engraved. This lack of personalization, along with the sheer number produced, keeps prices low and availability high. As a result, collectors, history enthusiasts, and even casual buyers can easily acquire one, either as a standalone piece or as part of a broader set of World War II medals.