FAQ's

Commemorative Medals

Commemorative medals that are sold by private companies to mark events such as National Service, the Suez campaign or royal celebrations must not be worn with official medals awarded in teh name of The Queen. It has become customary to wear these either below official medals or on the right hand side although these must never be worn in a uniform of the crown and the Royal British Legion have also stated that official standard bearers must not wear these while carrying standards.

Can I wear awards from overseas countries

Only those awards for which Her Majesty has given permission to wear may be worn. Often quoted is the London Gazette of 3rd May 1968 which states;

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve that Orders, Decorations and Medals conferred with Her Majesty’s permission upon United Kingdom citizens not being servants of the Crown by the Heads or Governments of Commonwealth countries as defined above, or of foreign States, may in all cases be worn by the recipients without restriction.

The key points here are a) Her Majesty still needs to give permission for the award to be granted and  b) the award must not be for service as a crown servant.

Unless you have permission then awards must not be worn regardless of whether you are serving or not, the ruling applies to UK citizens.
 

How many medals before I wear a second row?

Only one row of medals is worn in the UK. 5 or six medals may be worn side by side, it is dependant on the wearers chest size and also type of uniform. A jacket with lapels does not easily accomodate a six space brooch where as a uniform buttoning straight up such as Household Division, Frock Coats can take six.  

After this medals are overlapped with teh bar remaining the same length. This process continues until less than a third or ribbon of overlapped medals is visible, at which point the bar is extended. 

How much ribbon is supplied with your medals?

If medals are not ordered mounted then we supply them with six inches of ribbon unless otherwise stated on the product page.

Can I wear the NATO ISAF as I am no longer serving?

All awards to UK citizens require the permission of the Sovereign to accept and wear, regardless of whether you are serving or not. The NATO ISAF was not put forward for approval to wear as recipients of this also receive the OSM Afghanistan. So the answer on this is NO.

Can I wear the NATO ISAF in miniature?

Miniature medals should reflect the full size awards worn so as this medal cannot be worn in full size it also means it cannot be worn in miniature.

What is the Qualifying criteria for the Jubilee Medals of the Queen?

Silver Jubilee (1977)

Only 30,000 of these medals were awarded to service personnel and members of the public. Units received on average around 3 medals and each was accompanied with a certificate to the individual recipient. A roll of all recipients of this medal exists and is in teh National Archives.

Golden Jubilee (2002)

Approximately 366,000 medals were awarded to members of the Services, Police, Fire, Ambulance and Prison Services. Other emergency services also received it such as mountain rescue.  All had the same requirement;

On 6th February 2002 an individual must still be serving in an active post and have completed 5 years service or more.

Diamond Jubilee (2012)

438,832 medals were awarded to members of the Services, Police, Fire, Ambulance and Prison Services. Other emergency services also received it such as mountain rescue.  All had the same requirement;

On 6th February 2012 an individual must still be serving in an active post and have completed 5 years service or more.

When is the next Jubilee and what will it be?

The next jubilee would be a Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years of The Queen's reign. This would happen on 6th February 2022.