Other ceremonial events that you can wear medals at include parades, military presentations, general veterans or military meetings, and funerals. You should only wear medals on civilian clothes when those clothes are still formal attire.
Ideally, unofficial medals should never be worn, and definitely not worn at public ceremonial and commemorative events.
A rule of thumb: medals and ribbons are worn over the heart. Service medals are worn at appropriate ceremonial functions such as parades, presentations, general meetings and funerals. All service medals must be worn over the left breast, in order of precedence from the centre of the body outwards.
Military funerals, for example, often see servicemen and women wear bright medals and uniforms as a mark of respect to honour the loved one's service. It's likewise completely acceptable to request guests wear outfits or items of clothing outside of the norm in order to remember the deceased.
Did you know there are rules about wearing your family war medals? The rule is that war medals should only be worn on the left breast by the person upon whom they were conferred. Technically this honour remains with the individual and does not pass to a widow, parent or relative upon death.
Can I wear replica medals? Yes. There are no implications resulting from wearing replicas of awards to which a person is entitled.
The medals should be those of a direct relative, for example, should have belonged to a brother or sister, dad or mum, grandfather or grandmother. In all cases these are worn on the right chest. Only service medals and decorations mounted on a medal bar (full-size or miniature) can be worn by a relative.
Other ceremonial events that you can wear medals at include parades, military presentations, general veterans or military meetings, and funerals. You should only wear medals on civilian clothes when those clothes are still formal attire. Do not wear medals on casual civilian clothes, even during a military event.
The official rules for wearing medals allow only official awards to be worn. Unofficial purchased medals and foreign medals which do not have the Sovereign's permission to be worn are not allowed.
How to Display Military Medals on Uniforms. The classic, tride-and-true way of how to display your military medals is by wearing a medal rack on your uniform. Wearing your medals during a wedding, banquet, funeral, is a traditional and classic way to display your medals, if only for a short time.
The Returned and Services League (RSL) encourages people to wear their forebears' medals on the right breast, which indicates the awards are not their own.
Miniatures and Full Sized
Full-size medals are normally worn on service dress or to daytime events. Miniature medals can be worn with evening dress, such as mess dress, and for black tie events.
However, there is no definitive answer to this question. Many say the poppy should be worn on one's left side to be close to the heart, as well as the side that military medals would be worn. Others say men should wear it on the left and women on the right, just like the late Queen Elizabeth did.
Current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force are entitled to one replacement set of medals. Holders of a deceased family member's medals are also entitled to receive one replacement set, provided that replacements have not already been issued.
Both active and former members of the military should be dressed in their Class-A uniform which is commonly referred to as a Dress Uniform. A military funeral is not the time to wear your military mess dress. Civilians are expected to dress in formal attire much like you would if you were attending a church service.
What is appropriate clothing for a funeral? Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that's conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.
Military medals are by tradition worn on the left chest in all countries. This dates back to the tradition of fighting when the weapon was held in the right hand and a shield was held on the left. Some experts also say that the medals are worn on the left because it is closer to the heart.
The soldiers - who were selected to be pallbearers from the King's Company (then Queen's), 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards - have been awarded the silver Royal Victorian Medal.
As he did during the Queen's funeral last year, the Duke of Sussex wore the Afghanistan Campaign medal as well as medals for the Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees and the Star of the Grand Cross Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
'The official rules for wearing medals allow only official awards to be worn. Unofficial purchased medals and foreign medals which do not have the Sovereign's permission to be worn are not allowed.
Small sterling silver, gold, or jeweled pieces are also usually a fine choice if they are not distracting. Religious jewelry, such as a simple cross, would also be appropriate. But, it's best to avoid any jewelry that might swing, clank together, or cause a disturbance to others.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
A veteran with medals on both sides may wear their own medals on the left and those of a relative on the right.
The number of ribbons worn in a complete row is governed by the width of the breast pocket as the bottom row of medal ribbons is not to exceed the width of the breast pocket seam. On uniforms with no breast pocket, the number of medal ribbons on the bottom row is not to exceed 5.
"The Gold Lifesaving Medal or the Silver Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water.