Eligibility and Criteria: The medal was usually awarded to Canadians for six months service in Britain between 03 September 1939 and 08 May 1945, for service overseas or outside the country of residence, providing such service lasted for one year, except in territories threatened by the enemy or subject to bomb attacks, in which case it was six months prior to 02 September 1945.
Description: A circular, silver medal (80% pure), 1.42” in diameter. The British issue medals were made of cupro-nickel. Mounting includes a plain, straight, no swiveling suspender with a single-toed claw. The obverse shows the bareheaded coinage effigy of King George VI, facing left, and the legend: GEORGIVS VI D: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:
On the reverse, the Royal Crown rests on the stump of an oak tree, flanked by a lion and a lioness. At the top left is 1939, and at the top right, 1945. In the space below the principal emblem, though not ruled off, is the wording: THE DEFENCE/MEDAL.
The light green ribbon is 1.25 inch wide with a central stripe of orange and a narrow black stripe in the middle of each green stripe. The orange represents the enemy attacks on the green land of England while the black represents the black-outs.