New Zealand Service Medal 1939-1945

The New Zealand War Service Medal was awarded for 28 days’ full time service or six months’ part time service in any of the New Zealand Armed Forces, the New Zealand National Military Reserve or the Home Guard between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Eligible part time Home Guard personnel must have completed their six months’ part time service between 16 August 1940 and 1 January 1944 (the Home Guard was disbanded in December 1943). New Zealand Merchant Navy personnel qualified after accumulating at 28 days’ service at sea.

This medal was the first distinctively ‘New Zealand’ war service medal, which was emphasised by the use of the fern leaf motif on the suspender and the reverse, and the national colours of black and white in the ribbon. This medal was issued unengraved, as were other Second World War campaign medals awarded for service for New Zealand.

There are no clasps or bars for this medal.