History
The Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Volunteer Reserve Decoration, was instituted in 1908 alongside its sister the Reserve Decoration, and for the volunteer officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve: the civilian amateurs, as distinct from the Merchant Navy professionals of the Reserve proper, who trained in their spare time to serve at sea. It could be awarded across the naval volunteer reserves of the Empire, including Australia.
The two decorations share an identical badge, the royal cypher within a knotted silver cable, and until 1919 an identical green ribbon, when a new ribbon of blue, red and green was introduced for the Volunteer Reserve to distinguish it. Twenty years of service was required. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters VRD. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The decoration consists of the cypher of the reigning monarch in silver gilt within an oval silver cable tied with a reef knot at the base, surmounted by a gilt crown, identical to the Reserve Decoration. The reverse is plain. It is suspended from a ring.
The ribbon
Green, blue and red, distinguishing it from the RD.
The ribbon is dark green with a central red stripe and blue side stripes, the blue for the sea, the red for royal crimson and the green for the old Volunteer Officers' Decoration, introduced in 1919 to distinguish it from the Reserve Decoration.
Clasps
A further period of qualifying service is recognised by a clasp on the ribbon.
Clasp (further service)
A clasp is awarded for a further period of ten years of qualifying service after the first award of the decoration.
Eligibility
The decoration was awarded for long service by officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
- Twenty years of commissioned service, not necessarily continuous, was required, with wartime service counted double and half of any time served in the ranks reckonable;
- A clasp is awarded for a further ten years of service; recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters VRD;
- As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Long service and efficiency awards recognise years of service in the regular or auxiliary forces 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 is the Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration awarded for?
Long service by part-time commissioned officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve: twenty years of commissioned service, with wartime service counted double.
How did the Volunteer Reserve differ from the Reserve?
The Volunteer Reserve was made up of civilian volunteers who trained in their spare time; the Reserve proper was drawn from professional Merchant Navy seamen.
How is it told apart from the Reserve Decoration?
The badges are identical; the difference is the ribbon, which for the Volunteer Reserve became blue, red and green in 1919, where the Reserve Decoration's is green edged white.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters VRD.
How is further service recognised?
By a clasp for a further ten years of qualifying service.
Is it named to the recipient?
The reverse is plain as issued.