Naval General Service Medal (1915)

• The medal is silver and is {{convert|36|mm|in}} in diameter. The obverse bears the image of one of three successive Sovereigns, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
• The reverse, designed by Margaret Winser, shows a mounted figure of Britannia in a chariot pulled by two sea-horses, her left hand resting on a union shield.{{Cite book|author=Edward C Joslin|title=Observer Book of British Awards and Medals|page= 144|publisher= Frederick Warne & Co|year= 1973}}
• The name and details of the recipient were impressed on the edge of the medal.
• The {{convert|32|mm|in}} wide ribbon is crimson-coloured with three white stripes.
• From 1920 a bronze oak leaf emblem is worn on the ribbon of the medal to signify a mention in dispatches for a campaign for which the NGSM was awarded.{{Cite book|author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.|title=British Battles and Medals.|pages=233–237. Published Spink, London. 1988}}

The medal was awarded with one of five obverse designs:

File:NGSM 1915 GV obv.jpg|King George V (1915–20)

File:Distinguished Service Medal (UK) George VI obverse.jpg|George VI (1st type) 'INDIAE IMP' (1936–49)

File:NGSM 1915 GVI obv 1949-52.jpg|George VI (2nd type) without 'INDIAE IMP' (1949–52)

File:Naval General Service Medal 1915 (Obverse) First Elizabeth version.jpg|Elizabeth II (1st type) 'BR OMN' (1952–53)

File:NGSM 1915 EBII obv.jpg|Elizabeth II (2nd type) 'DEI GRATIA' (1953–62)

The 1915 NGSM was never awarded without a clasp. The seventeen clasps authorised are list below, the figures in brackets denoting the number awarded.{{Cite book|author=John Mussell (ed).|title=Medal Yearbook 2015.|page=182. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon}}

• Persian Gulf 1909–1914 (7,164, including 37 to the Indian Army, travelling aboard H.M.S. Pelorus). For operations against pirates, gun-runners and slavers.
• Iraq 1919–1920 (116).British Battles and Medals states that 128 Iraq 1919-1920 clasps were awarded, see page 234 For river gunboat service during the Arab revolt.
• N.W. Persia 1920 (4). Awarded to the four members of the Naval Mission to the Caspian Sea.Orders and Medals Research Society Journal, June 2017, page 140
• Palestine 1936–39 (13,600). For service during the uprising by Palestinian Arabs.
• S.E. Asia 1945-46 (2,000). For operations in Java, Sumatra and French Indochina, prior to handover to the pre-war colonial power.
• Minesweeping 1945–51 (4,750). For 6 months minesweeping service in specified areas across the world.
• Palestine 1945–48 (7,900). For service during the post-war Jewish insurgency, including coastal patrols against illegal Jewish immigration.
• Malaya (7,800). For service in Malaya and Singapore between 1948-60 during the state of emergency.
• Yangtze 1949 (1,450). For the attack on {{HMS|Amethyst|U16|6}} and other vessels by Communist Chinese forces.
• Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945–46. For operations by the Royal Australian Navy, very few clasps with these dates being awarded.
• Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945–53 (145). For 6 months spent in clearance operations in specified areas across the world.
• B & M Clearance Mediterranean{{cite news|title=The Saleroom auction results|work=Example medal confirms that abbreviation "B&M" appeared on clasp|url=https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/bosleys-military-auctioneers/catalogue-id-srbos10010/lot-71e88465-28d7-4cb6-9e24-a53d00b3aa67}} (60). For bomb and mine clearance between 1953-60 by divers, and to seamen who moved recovered bombs, mostly in Valletta harbour.
• Canal Zone For service in the Suez Canal Zone between October 1951 and October 1954. (Authorised 2003).{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-naval-general-service-medal-and-the-general-service-medal-service-in-the-suez-canal-zone|title=General Service Medal: service in the Suez Canal Zone|website=Gov.uk|access-date=2016-06-29}}
• Cyprus (4,300). For operations against EOKA insurgents, 1955–59.
• Near East (17,800). For operations during the Suez Crisis of 1956.
• Arabian Peninsula (1,200). For service against dissidents and cross-border raids between 1957–60.
• Brunei (900). For service in Brunei, North Borneo and Sarawak in December 1962, a large proportion awarded to Royal Marines of 42 Commando.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.medals.org.uk/united-kingdom/united-kingdom034.htm ODM of the UK]
• [http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/h/h20.html NZDF medals]
• [http://www.defence.gov.au/medals/imperial/1945-75/naval-general-service-medal-1915-62.asp ADF Honours and Awards]

{{British campaign medals}}

{{Australian Campaign Medals}}

{{New Zealand campaign medals}}

Category:British campaign medals

Category:Australian campaign medals

Category:New Zealand campaign medals

Category:1915 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:Awards established in 1915