You might see veterans wearing their medals on important commemorative days, such as
For uniformed personnel, on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, they may wear their own medals on the left breast and their ancestor's medals on their right. War medals are worn in a horizontal line, suspended from a single bar (of which no part should be seen) or stitched on.
How to wear. Most Australian awards are pinned above the left breast. If the main insignia is in the form of a neck badge it is worn around the neck accordingly.
Unofficial or Commemorative medals such as the should always be worn on the right side of your chest, and placed below any official awards.
Conventions for wearing a relatives' medals include: Civilian members of the public should only wear one set of medals. 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.
If you are in possession of a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, Military Medal, Distinguished Flying Medal, British Empire Medal or other gallantry award, they should be worn to the right of other stars or medals, which will be worn from right to left.
It is permissible for veterans and retirees to wear military awards on civilian clothes for gatherings of a military theme. On significant holidays, veterans and retirees are encouraged to wear their awards and medals. The choice of either full-size medal or miniature is an individual one.
Australian awards are pinned above the left side of the uniform, centred on the left breast pocket. The top of the ribbon with a medal attached should be pinned 3mm above the top of the pocket. The most senior award is worn closest to the centre of the body.
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.
When is OK to wear my relatives medals ? War medals and service decorations of any sort may be worn only by the person upon whom they were conferred, and in no case does the right to wear war or service medals, or their ribbons, pass to any relative when the recipient is dead.
Miniature decorations and service medals are worn in the order of precedence from the wearer's right to left, with the medal of highest precedence worn on the top row, if more than one row is required. Miniature medals are worn side by side when four or less are worn in the same row, and they may be overlapped.
Wearing of the National Medal
When attending day functions such as Anzac Day or Remembrance Day ceremonies the full-size insignia is worn on the left breast. The ribbon bar may be worn with all forms of dress at the discretion of the holder.
With morning dress, full-size orders, decorations and medals normally mounted on a medal bar or pocket insert should be worn, when required. With dinner jacket, when invitations specify decorations, it is correct to wear miniatures, and only one star (or the badge of a Knight Bachelor) and one neck decoration.
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.
The first red poppies to come to Australia, in 1921, were made in France. In Australia, single poppies are not usually worn on ANZAC Day - the poppy belongs to Remembrance Day, 11 November. However, wreaths of poppies are traditionally placed at memorials and honour boards on ANZAC Day.
Wearing Military Medals:
When wearing your own medals, they should be mounted in the correct order of wear (see below) and attached to your garment on your left breast. If you are wearing medals awarded to a next of kin, these would be worn on the right breast.
Yes. Allowance is made for family members of a deceased recipient to wear that person's medals on commemorative occasions such as Anzac Day. When worn by others, the medals are worn on the right side to show that the wearer is not the original recipient.
Clasps to these medals should be worn on the ribbon in order of date of receipt.
Miniature medals and badges are appropriate for wear at formal events on tuxedos and formal jackets by both men and women, similar to the mess dress uniform, and without ribbons.
Wear official medals on the left, using a metal bar.
The most senior medal should be on the right side of the bar in the position furthest away from the left shoulder. The remaining medals should be worn in order of seniority, with the least senior medal on the left side of the bar, nearest the left shoulder.
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.
A medal was given for service, with a clasp for each battle fought. After four clasps were earned the medal was turned in for a cross with the battle names on the arms, and additional clasps were then added. The maximum was achieved by the Duke of Wellington, with a cross and nine clasps.
A rosette /roʊˈzɛt/ is a small, circular device that is typically presented with a medal. The rosettes are either worn on the medal to denote a higher rank, or for situations where wearing the medal is deemed inappropriate, such as on a suit. Rosettes are issued in nations such as Belgium, France, Italy and Japan.
The use of large medals and badges is reserved for daytime attire, but ensure not to wear large medals and ribbons at the same time. The exception is the wear of unit ribbons on the right side on the Army uniform. When wearing civilian attire, ensure you comply with the same rules as if you were in uniform.