Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945

Award

Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945
Medal and ribbon
Type	Medal
Awarded for	service in arduous circumstances in support of the war effort as part of organisations with military-like arrangements and conditions of service.
Presented by	Australia
Eligibility	Civilians in Australia during World War II
Established	28 October 1994
Total	7,125
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	National Emergency Medal
Next (lower)	National Police Service Medal

The Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945 is awarded to civilians in Australia during World War II who served in arduous circumstances in support of the war effort as part of organisations with military-like arrangements and conditions of service. The medal was introduced in 1994, following a recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence Related Awards.

The Committee intended to extend recognition only to those whose war service in Australia was more arduous than the norm, and was performed under military-like conditions. Hence, Women's Land Army members, whose work was very physical, required them to live in rural areas away from their homes for lengthy periods, and was subject to military-like discipline, are generally eligible. On the other hand, members of the industrial workforce involved in munitions production are not eligible, as they overwhelmingly lived at home and were subject to standard civilian working conditions. The medal is therefore recognition of those not in the armed services, but who experienced wartime working conditions similar to the armed services.

Recipients must have served for at least 180 days in any one or a combination of the 38 eligible groups between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Recipients of the Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945 do not earn an entitlement to use post-nominal letters. As at 30 June 2006, 6,711 awards of the Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945 had been made.

Description

The Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945 is bronze and portrays the Southern Cross surrounded by golden wattle, Australia's floral emblem. The Southern Cross represents Australia and the golden wattle represents the civilian population joining in defence of the country.
The medal ribbon has three vertical bands. The central band is ochre to represent the soil of Australia. The two outer bands are green for the land and food production. The two white stripes on the ribbon represent communication and construction.

References

Governor-General Annual Report 2023-24 (PDF). Governor General of Australia. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945 eligibility guide

External links

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Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

(order of wearing)

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/ Order of Australia

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Bravery

Distinguished service

Conspicuous service

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

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Meritorious service

Campaign medals
(service periods)

1939–1945	Australia Service Medal 1939–1945
1945–1975	Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–1956) Vietnam Medal (1964–1973) Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–1973) Australian Service Medal 1945–1975
1975–2012	Australian Active Service Medal (1975–present) Rhodesia Medal (1979–1980) International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000) Afghanistan Medal (2001–2014) Iraq Medal (2003–2013) Australian Service Medal (1975–present)
2012–present	Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO (2014–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–present)