History
This is the Royal Air Force 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 1919, is described more fully on the main page; this issue carried the recognition through the Cold War decades of the air force. The qualifying period, historically 18 years, was reduced to 15 from 1977.
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 Queen Elizabeth II, 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 Elizabeth II 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, reduced to 15 from 1977, free of barring offences;
- 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 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 and unblemished regular air force service by non-commissioned officers and airmen, after 18 years and later 15 of reckonable service.
When was the qualifying period reduced?
From 1 December 1977 the required period was reduced from eighteen to fifteen years.
What does its reverse show?
The eagle of the Royal Air Force with outstretched wings, surmounted by a crown, constant through every reign.
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.