History
This is the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, current from 1952, carrying the Queen's effigy. The award, instituted in 1908 for the ratings of the Royal Naval Reserve, is described more fully on the main page; this issue carried the recognition into the post-war decades, until the reserve long service medals were replaced by a combined Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 1999.
Fifteen years of reserve service was required. The medal keeps its Dreadnought reverse and its motto, and the R.N.R. mark on the rim. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is silver, 36 millimetres in diameter, its obverse bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse shows the battleship HMS Dreadnought steaming, with the motto DIUTURNE FIDELIS, faithful over a long time. The recipient's details, followed by R.N.R., are impressed on the rim.
The ribbon
Dark green with dark blue and red edge stripes.
The ribbon is dark green with narrow edge stripes of dark blue and dark red, introduced in 1919 in place of the original plain green; the blue represents the sea, the red the Royal crimson and the green the old Volunteer ribbon.
Clasps
Further long service is recognised by a clasp on the suspension.
Long Service and Good Conduct Bar
A clasp is awarded for a further qualifying period of long and good service beyond the first; when the ribbon alone is worn, a silver rosette denotes the clasp.
Eligibility
The Elizabeth II issue was awarded on the criteria of the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
- Fifteen years of service was required of a reserve rating from 1952 until the medal's replacement in 1999;
- A clasp is awarded for a further period of service; the medal bears R.N.R. on the rim;
- As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Long service and good conduct medals recognise years of unblemished service rather than a campaign. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn after coronation and jubilee medals and among the long service awards by their own order of precedence.
Frequently asked questions
What makes this the Elizabeth II issue?
The effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, current from her accession in 1952.
What is the medal awarded for?
Long service by ratings of the Royal Naval Reserve: fifteen years of reserve service.
When did the medal end?
The separate reserve long service medals were replaced by a combined-services Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 1999.
How is it distinguished from sister medals?
By the abbreviation R.N.R. impressed after the recipient's name.
Is it named to the recipient?
Yes, impressed on the rim with the recipient's details followed by R.N.R.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No; long service medals for ratings carry no post-nominal.