History
This is the Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal of the reign of King George VI, from 1936 to 1952, carrying his effigy. The award itself, instituted in 1919, is described more fully on the main page; this issue belongs to the era of the Second World War and its aftermath, when the air force expanded enormously and its long-serving ground and air crew earned the medal in greater numbers.
An airman qualified after 18 years of reckonable service free of barring offences. The medal keeps its constant reverse, the RAF eagle beneath a crown, and passed into use with the Royal Australian Air Force. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is silver, its obverse bearing the effigy of King George VI, and its reverse the eagle of the Royal Air Force with outstretched wings surmounted by a crown, with the inscription FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT. The recipient's details are impressed on the rim.
The ribbon
Dark blue and crimson with white edge stripes.
The ribbon is equal bands of dark blue and crimson with a narrow white stripe at each edge.
Clasps
Further long service is recognised by a clasp on the ribbon.
Long Service and Good Conduct Bar
A clasp bearing the RAF eagle 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 George VI issue was awarded on the criteria of the Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
- Non-commissioned officers and airmen of the regular Royal Air Force qualified after 18 years of reckonable service free of barring offences, during the reign of King George VI;
- A clasp bearing an eagle is awarded for a further period of service; the medal is issued named;
- 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 George VI issue?
The effigy of King George VI on the obverse, current through his reign from 1936 to 1952.
What is the medal awarded for?
Long and unblemished regular air force service by non-commissioned officers and airmen, after 18 years of reckonable service.
What does its reverse show?
The eagle of the Royal Air Force with outstretched wings, surmounted by a crown, a design constant through every reign.
How does it differ from the Elizabeth II issue?
Only in the sovereign's effigy; the reverse, ribbon and criteria are common to all issues of the medal.
Is it named to the recipient?
Yes, impressed on the rim with the recipient's details.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No; long service and good conduct medals for other ranks carry no post-nominal.