Date
Instituted: 1964.
Campaign: Minor campaigns and operations from 1962 to present.
Description: The obverse of this medal bears
the crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II and the inscription 'ELIZABETH
II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.'. The reverse has the words 'FOR
CAMPAIGN SERVICE' surmounted by a crown and contained within an
encircling wreath. The swivelling suspender is the rather
ornate type used by the previous Army and Air Force General Service
Medal which is attached by a floral mount riveted to the medal.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36mm.
Clasps: 'BORNEO', 'RADFAN', SOUTH VIETNAM',
'SOUTH ARABIA'. MALAY PENINSULA', 'DHOFAR', 'NORTHERN IRELAND',
'LEBANON', 'MINE CLEARANCE', 'GULF', 'KUWAIT', 'N.IRAQ & S.TURKEY'
and 'AIR OPERATIONS IRAQ'.
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Naming: Small
impressed capital letters.
Comments: This medal was introduced
in 1962 to replace both the Army and RAF General Service Medal and
Naval General Service Medal. It is still often referred to
as the 'General Service Medal' despite its actual change in name.
The clasp 'SOUTH VIETNAM' was awarded to Australian and New Zealand
troops only for part of their involvement in the Vietnam War.
This medal is probably the most common of all campaign medals struck
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II with 'NORTHERN IRELAND' being
the most common clasp.
The last four clasps
of 'GULF', 'KUWAIT', 'N.IRAQ & S.TURKEY' and 'AIR OPERATIONS
IRAQ' concern operations in the post-Gulf War period. Medals found
with the clasps LEBANON' and 'MINE CLEARANCE' are scarce and have
the highest prices for a CSM.
The CSM is now only
awarded with the clasp 'NORTHERN IRELAND' with other minor campaigns
now recognised by the Operational Service Medal.
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