History
Not every form of service is matched by an official medal, and Australia's veterans have long filled the gaps themselves. The Frontline Service Medal is one of those answers: a commemorative instituted privately rather than by the Crown, produced through veterans' organisations and medal houses to acknowledge service in the face of the enemy that its holders felt the official campaign awards did not single out.
Like all unofficial medals it confers no precedence and carries no post-nominal, but it holds a real place in the commemorative life of the families who wear it. By long custom such medals are worn on the right breast on remembrance occasions, never among the official awards on the left, and many veterans mount them as a separate right side group.
Design & ribbon
The medal
As a private issue rather than a Crown award, the Frontline Service Medal has no single gazetted design, and its finish has varied across makers and strikings. The photographs above show the pattern supplied with this listing; the medal's identity rests in its inscription and its purpose rather than in a regulated pattern.
The ribbon
An association issue: the pattern supplied with this listing.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the issue supplied, shown above. Unofficial medals are not bound to a gazetted ribbon, so examples in family groups may vary.
Eligibility
As an unofficial commemorative, the medal is obtained rather than awarded: eligibility rests on the standards of the issuing organisation, not on a Crown instrument.
- It is intended for those who served on the front line, and for families commemorating a relative who did;
- It is not part of the Australian honours system, confers no precedence and carries no post-nominal;
- By custom it is worn on the right breast on commemorative occasions, and never among official awards.
Order of wear
Unofficial and commemorative medals are not part of the Australian honours system and are never worn among official awards on the left breast. By custom they may be worn on the right breast on commemorative occasions, subject to the conventions of the event and the wearer's organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Frontline Service Medal an official medal?
No. It is a privately instituted commemorative, not an award of the Crown, and it sits outside the Australian honours system.
Who can wear it?
Its issuing organisations intend it for those who served on the front line and for families commemorating a relative who did. Eligibility rests on the issuer's standards rather than a Crown instrument.
How should it be worn?
On the right breast on commemorative occasions such as Anzac Day, by the custom that governs all unofficial medals. It is never worn among official awards on the left.
Can it be mounted with official medals?
Not in the same group. Mount it separately with any other commemoratives as a right side group.
Why do examples differ from each other?
Because no gazetted design binds a private issue, makers and strikings have varied. The inscription and purpose carry the medal's identity.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.