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We are now
officially classified as Returned Servicemen and as such can
wear our RAS Badge and Medals on Anzac Day. Best of all, we can hold
ours heads high when doing so. Unfortunately, there are still
many fellow Matelots who are unaware of their entitlements both in
terms of veterans benefits and in regards to certificates of service
and awards. It's up to us to ensure that the word is spread. Tell
your mates, contact your local newspaper, post a notice on your
local community billboard - lets all remember those years with
pride!
Above: [L to R] The
Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975;
Naval General Service Medal [clasp Malaya]; The Australian Service
Medal;
and Far East Strategic Reserve Medal 1955-1971
The
Australian Active Service Medal
The AASM 1945-75
instituted on 11 December 1997, recognises warlike service between 3
September 1945 and 14 February 1975. It is a round 32mm
silver-nickel, flagged by the Crown of Saint Edward. The
principal design is a Federation Star surrounded by the words
'Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975'. The reverse has a
horizontal panel 25mm across and 8mm deep surrounded by two sprays
of wattle. The ribbon is 32mm wide, having a central red stripe of
2mm, representing the dangers of war, flanked by two yellow stripes
of 2mm, 4mm stripes of blue, then two dark green stripes of 4mm and
two purple stripes of 4mm. It is said that these colours reflect the
1947-1975 Imperial Medal ribbons. The medal is issued with
nickel-silver clasps according to service location and, in some
instances, is awarded to non-defence personnel who supported those
in operational service.
Review compliments of
ASAC
Australia
Naval
General Service Medal
The NGSM 1915-1962 was
instituted on 6 August 1915 and initially awarded to about 250
Australians from the end of WWII until 1962. The round medal hangs
from a red and white ribbon and is granted for service in minor
operations. A number of distinctive clasps were issued with this
medal. These include: South-East Asia 1945-48; Minesweeping 1945-51;
Yangtze 1949 ; Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945-53; Malaya ; Near East;
Palestine 1936-39; and Palestine 1945-48.
Review compliments of
ASAC
Australia
Australian
Service Medal
The ASM 1945-1975 is a
round, nickel-silver, medal hanging from a ribbon of light and dark
blue, khaki, green and gold, said to represent the Australian
Defence Services. A modified shield of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms
features on the obverse and a Commonwealth Star overlaid with the
recipient's name features on the reverse. The medal is ensigned with
the Crown of St. Edward. Nickle-silver clasps denote locality. This
medal is awarded for service in overseas peace-keeping missions and
other non-like war operations.
Review compliments of
ASAC
Australia
Far
East Strategic Reserve Medal
The FESR is a 40th
anniversary commemorative medal of the RAN's involvement as part of
the Far East Strategic Reserve [FESR]. The HMAS Sydney and the VLSVA
Association [Vic] has dedicated this medal to all those that served
on HMA ships on the FESR. Ministerial approval was sought and the
Navy Office granted an 'Instrument of Consent' to use certain
words/letters on the 'Obverse' side of the medal thereby making it
uniquely 'Navy'. The medal has two naval Motifs, the first is the
quarter compass rose depicting the North West quadrant [signifying
the Far East in relation to Australia]. The second is a canted and
fouled stockless anchor superimposed with a scroll signifying the
RAN's involvement in the FESR from 1955 until its disbandment in
1971. The wreath beneath the anchor and crown is representative of
eucalypt leaves and is a tribute to the memory of those that did not
return from service.
Extract compliments
of Medal Overview
Application
for Medals and Awards
Staff Officer - Navy
Records
Defence Corporate Support - Navy Records
Queanbeyan Annex
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Seeking
further information?
For those wanting
further information on the review and struggle for recognition
visit: www.fesrassociation.com
For those wanting assistance and information on pensions and
entitlements visit: www.asacaustralia.com |
