Children of current serving members may choose to wear a set of miniature replica medals of their parent's for special occasions, such as Anzac Day. These medals must be worn on their right breast.
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. Further guidance is available at the RSL website .
The RSL recommends that although there are no rules about when and where you can wear the medals, that they should not be worn lightly and that the choice to wear should be dictated by the occasion and the decorum of the event.
Your medals should be worn over the left lapel or the left breast pocket of a formal jacket or coat. Medals are mounted on a metal holding bar or bar brooch, and that bar is attached to the lapel. The center of the holding bar should be parallel to the ground.
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.
Both female and male veterans wear their medals over their chest on the left-hand side of their uniform. Widows, widowers, and other relations of veterans may wear their relative's medals on the right. A veteran with medals on both sides may wear their own medals on the left and those of a relative on the right.
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.
Medals are only to be worn by those to whom the medal has been conferred. The only exception to this ruling occurs on Remembrance Day and Anzac Day. On these two occasions, descendants may wear the medals of deceased recipients but only on the right breast.
War Medals are generally dressed to the left, horizontally pinned and suspended from a non-visible single bar or stitched to the garment if preferred. If worn on a jacket or coat, the garment should be buttoned. Ribbon lengths vary but they should not exceed 2.5 cm in length (1").
The Obverse is the front of the medal. This is the side that faces out when worn by the person. The Reverse is the back side of the medal.
Can I wear my relative's medals? 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.
ANZAC Day parades and services are commemorative activities and participants should wear neat civilian attire as a mark of respect. Recipients wear their medals on the left breast, while relatives may wear their forebears' medals on their right breast. Ladies and children may wear miniatures instead of medals.
All State and Federal awards (not to be confused with Commemorative and Unofficial awards - see point 3 below) are worn on the right side of your chest. State and Federal awards are also official awards and may contain various bravery and meritorious service awards.
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.
The sibling with the highest income or largest monetary assets regardless of sex or birth order should receive the original medals, but should -- at the earliest date -- purchase replacements for his or her siblings (only).
“On Anzac Day we commemorate the efforts of ordinary New Zealanders in the service of their country. The wearing of medals is a tradition that links our past, with those serving today.” For more information about medals please go to www.medals.nzdf.mil.nz.
The Australian Defence Medal recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service, whichever was the lesser.
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.
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.
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.
Forms, addresses, and other information on requesting medals can be found on the Military Personnel Records section of NPRC's Website at www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel. For questions, call Military Personnel Records at (314) 801-0800, or e-mail questions to: [email protected].
If you are wearing medals awarded to a next of kin, these would be worn on the right breast.
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.
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