Design a Second World War Medal All soldiers who saw active service in the Second World War were awarded a series of campaign medals in recognition of their service. Every Black Watch soldier received the War Medal, Defence Medal and 1939-45 Star, in addition to campaign stars depending on where they saw service. Soldiers who did something very brave also might have received a decoration.

This activity will encourage pupils to think about the things people did in the war that deserved recognition. 1.

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Ask your pupils if any of them have Second World War medals at home; if so, encourage them to bring them in. Go through the different campaign medals awarded to The Black Watch with your class and discuss the symbolism used in their design. This pack includes images of each of the campaign medals The Black Watch qualified for. For more information or for images and information about other medals and decorations awarded in the Second World War, add a research element to this activity using the internet. Now, thinking of all the things they have learned about the Second World War, ask the pupils to design their own SWW medal. It might be a medal for nurses, evacuees, or perhaps pilots or tank drivers. Encourage the pupils to choose colours for the ribbons that have some meaning and to incorporate symbols into the medal design that represent what the medal is for. Alternatively, have the pupils re-design the SWW campaign medals or decorations.

1939-45 Star The 39-45 Star was awarded to everyone who saw service overseas for 180 days or more between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (or 2 September 1945 in the Far East). On the front of the medal you can see the initials GRJ VI; these are the initials of King George VI. The colours in the ribbon represent the three parts of Britain’s armed forces: dark blue for the Navy, dark red for the infantry and pale blue for the Air Force.

Africa Star The Africa Star was issued to those who saw 1 or more days’ service in North Africa, Malta or Egypt during the Second World War. The rippon is pale buff-coloured to symbolise the desert. The three stripes represent the three armed services (dark blue for the navy, dark red for the infantry, and pale blue for the air force).

Burma Star The Burma Star was awarded for 1 or more days’ service in Burma, 1941 to 1945. Those serving in Bengal and Assam (in India), China, Hong Kong, Malaya or Sumatra between other specified dates also qualified. The ribbon is dark blue overlaid with a central red stripe to represent the Commonwealth Forces. The two narrow stripes of orange represent the sun.

France and Germany Star The France and Germany Star was awarded for 1 or more days’ service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands or Germany during the Second World War. The ribbon is in the colours of the Union flag, but also represents those of France and the Netherlands.

Italy Star The Italy Star was awarded for 1 or more days’ service in Sicily or Italy during the Second World War. The ribbon is in the colours of the Italian flag.

Defence Medal The Defence Medal was an award for non -operational service, including people working in headquarters, on training bases and airfields and members of the Home Guard. Infantry soldiers also received this award. King George VI appears on the front of the medal, while the reverse features the Royal Crown on an oak tree with a lion on either side. The flame colour in the ribbon between green stripes represent the enemy attacks on the green land of Britain, with thin black stripes symbolising the blackout.

War Medal The War Medal was issued to all full time personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving, as long as they served for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. King George VI is depicted on the front of the medal, while the back shows a lion standing on a drago with two heads. One head is an eagle, and the other a dragon; these represent the two principal enemies of the War in the East and West.