History
The Greek Commemorative War Medal 1940-1941 was instituted by royal decree in 1947 to recognise the members of the Royal Greek forces who fought from the outbreak of the war in Greece in 1940 until the fall of Crete in 1941, through the campaigns in Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, Thrace and Crete. It was also awarded to the allied forces who fought on Greek soil.
Australian troops of the Second World War took part in the defence of Greece and the battle of Crete, and those who served in the campaign, alongside British and New Zealand comrades, were entitled to the medal. It is issued unnamed. As a foreign award it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing after Australian and Commonwealth honours.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a circular bronze disc thirty-two millimetres across, also found in gilt. The obverse bears the head of King George II of Greece within a laurel wreath joined at the top by a crown, with no lettering. The reverse bears raised Greek lettering reading 1940-41 with the names of the battle areas, EPIRUS, ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, THRACE and CRETE, for the army; a naval version names the sea areas instead. It is issued unnamed.
The ribbon
Dark blue with light blue centre and edges.
The ribbon is dark blue with a broad central stripe of light blue and a narrow light blue stripe at each edge.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded for service in the defence of Greece from 1940 to the fall of Crete in 1941.
- Members of the Royal Greek forces who fought in the campaigns of 1940 and 1941 qualified, as did the allied forces who fought on Greek soil;
- Australian troops who served in Greece, Crete and the wider campaign were entitled to it; the medal is issued unnamed;
- As a foreign award it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing after Australian and Commonwealth honours.
Order of wear
In the Australian Order of Wearing, foreign awards are worn after Australian honours and Commonwealth awards, in the order set for foreign awards, generally by the date of the service for which they were given. A foreign award is worn only where its acceptance and wear have been approved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Greek War Medal 1940-1941 awarded for?
Service in the defence of Greece from the Italian invasion of 1940 until the fall of Crete in 1941, in the campaigns in Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, Thrace and Crete.
Why did Australians receive it?
Australian troops fought in the defence of Greece and the battle of Crete, and Greece awarded the medal to the allied forces who fought on its soil.
What does the obverse show?
The head of King George II of Greece within a laurel wreath joined at the top by a crown, with no lettering.
What is on the reverse?
Raised Greek lettering reading 1940-41 with the names of the battle areas, EPIRUS, ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, THRACE and CRETE for the army; a naval version names the sea areas.
Is it named to the recipient?
No; the medal is issued unnamed.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a foreign award, after Australian and Commonwealth honours in the Australian Order of Wearing.