Royal Observer Corps Medal

Last updated

Royal Observer Corps Medal
Royal Observer Corps Medal.jpg
Obverse and reverse of the medal
TypeLong service medal
Awarded for12 Years Service
Presented byUnited Kingdom
Eligibility Royal Observer Corps personnel
Clasps For each further 12 years service
Established1950
First awarded1953
Last awarded1995
Clasp to Royal Observer Corps Medal.png
Second award clasp
Royal Observer Corps Medal ribbon.png
Ribbon bar of the medal
United Kingdom
Order of Wear
Next (higher) Canadian Forces' Decoration [1]
Next (lower) Civil Defence Medal Long Service Medal [1]

The Royal Observer Corps Medal was instituted in 1950 by King George VI for long service by members of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) in the United Kingdom. It was awarded until December 1995, when the ROC was stood down. [2]

Contents

Service prior to 1939

Prior to World War II, Observer Corps personnel were classed as Special Constables , retained by local constabularies, and qualified for the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal following nine years of continuous service. This qualification ceased in August 1939 when RAF Fighter Command assumed sole responsibility for the ROC. However, service as a Special Constable on observer duties prior to August 1939 counted towards the ROC Medal, provided it had not already been reflected in an award of the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. [3]

The new medal

In 1950, King George VI, as Air Commodore in Chief of the ROC, granted permission for the award of the Royal Observer Corps Medal in recognition of long service. For part-time personnel, the medal was awarded for twelve years of continuous service. [4] Each subsequent period of twelve years of service was recognised by the award of a clasp depicting a winged crown. On ribbon bars, a silver rosette was worn to represent each clasp. Peacetime service by full-time salaried ROC Officers counted for half the qualification period for part-time personnel, therefore requiring up to twenty-four years of service to qualify for a medal or clasp, but with any previous war or part-time service counting in full. [3]

Description

Ribbon

The medal ribbon is pale blue, with a silver central stripe, edged in dark blue; [5] representing the pale blue of the daytime sky, with a searchlight beam in a night sky at its centre. The colours of the ribbon were to be repeated in the ROC stable belt, with the addition of two outer stripes of dark blue. The medal ribbon's colour sequence is the reverse of that seen in the ROC regimental tie [6] and watch strap, [7] which themselves correspond to the pattern of the ROC unit flash applied to those steel helmets issued during World War II which were finished in green.

ROC stable belt incorporating the colours of the ROC medal ribbon Royal Observer Corps Stable Belt.JPG
ROC stable belt incorporating the colours of the ROC medal ribbon

Medal

The medal was die-struck in cupronickel metal featuring the laureated head of Elizabeth II. Post-1953 medals featured the legend +ELIZABETH II DEI GRA:BRITT:OMN:REGINA F:D:, (+ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F:D: from the mid-1950s), on the obverse. The reverse features the Elizabethan beacon lighter figure from the ROC badge, depicted against a backdrop of coastal warning beacons, with the motto FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED on a scroll beneath the figure, together with the words ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS MEDAL around the circumference. [5] The medal was suspended under an articulated bar depicting the RAF eagle. Although the medal was authorised in 1950, the first award was only made in 1953, and none were struck with the effigy of King George VI. [4]

The medal was awarded named, with the recipient's rank, initials and surname stamped on the medal's edge, [8] for example, OBSERVER L.F. COLLINGS. [9]

Miniature ROC Medals were licensed and worn at formal Black Tie events where the invitation indicates such are permitted.

Unusual awards

34050 Royal Observer Corps at West Grinstead station 1965 34050 at West Grinstead station (1965).JPG
34050 Royal Observer Corps at West Grinstead station 1965

In July 1961, the Commandant ROC Air Commodore Wight-Boycott presented a Royal Observer Corps Medal to the Battle of Britain Class locomotive no.34050 Royal Observer Corps, which had commenced service with the Southern Railway Company in December 1946; the ceremony taking place at Waterloo station. [10] The medal was mounted in a glass-fronted cabinet in the driver's cab, and the locomotive's side was repainted with a representation of the medal and its ribbon. These were displayed until the engine was retired from service and scrapped in the late 1960s. However, the original nameplate and front badge were recovered and displayed in the entrance hall of RAF Bentley Priory, (HQ ROC), until 1996, when they were transferred to the RAF Museum, Hendon.

The only occasion where an ROC Medal was awarded to a former member of the ROC was when UK Warning and Monitoring Organisation Sector Controller Kenneth Rodley was awarded the ROC Medal after twenty-four years of full-time service. Rodley commenced his ROC service as a Group Training Officer with 20 Group (York) in February 1958 and was later seconded to the Home Office in 1971. It had been realised that, due to an administrative error, Rodley's secondment had never officially converted to that of a full civil service transfer and that he had, therefore, technically remained a member of the ROC. The Medal was awarded to him by Air Commodore George Black at a surprise ceremony in 1984 at RAF Scampton. Rodley attempted to make an acceptance speech but was overcome by emotion and took his seat to a standing ovation from those present. [11]

Two recipients have received the ROC Medal with three clasps, representing 48 years of service including earlier service as Special Constables on observer duties. [12]

Disestablishment

The ROC was stood down in December 1995, and as such, there are no ROC personnel in service. [13] However, should the ROC ever be reactivated, the ROC medal remains extant, and awards could recommence at that time.

ROC Medals are much sought after by collectors of militaria, and examples reaching several hundred pounds have been recorded at auction. [4]

Related Research Articles

Captain James Dalgleish Pollock, was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

The Canadian Forces' Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the governor general of Canada upon their appointment, which includes the title of Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada. The decoration is awarded to all ranks, who must have a good record of conduct during the final eight years of claimed service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Observer Corps</span> British military unit

The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was a civil defence organisation intended for the visual detection, identification, tracking and reporting of aircraft over Great Britain. It operated in the United Kingdom between 29 October 1925 and 31 December 1995, when the Corps' civilian volunteers were stood down. Composed mainly of civilian spare-time volunteers, ROC personnel wore a Royal Air Force (RAF) style uniform and latterly came under the administrative control of RAF Strike Command and the operational control of the Home Office. Civilian volunteers were trained and administered by a small cadre of professional full-time officers under the command of the Commandant Royal Observer Corps; latterly a serving RAF Air Commodore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Service Medal (1918)</span> Award

The General Service Medal was instituted to recognise service in minor Army and Royal Air Force operations for which no separate medal was intended. Local forces, including police, qualified for many of the clasps, as could units of the Indian Army prior to 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Service Medal (1962)</span> Award

The General Service Medal, is a campaign medal of the United Kingdom introduced in 1962 to replace both the General Service Medal (1918), as awarded to the Army and RAF, and the Naval General Service Medal (1915). The 1962 GSM was awarded until 2007, when it was replaced by the Operational Service Medal. In 2015 the General Service Medal (2008) was introduced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve</span> Award

The Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, post-nominal letters VD until c. 1947 and VRD thereafter, was instituted in 1908. It could be awarded to part-time commissioned officers in the United Kingdom's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve after twenty years of service as efficient and thoroughly capable officers. The decoration was a Naval version of the Volunteer Officers' Decoration and its successor, the Territorial Decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the Royal Air Force</span> Standardised military dress

The Royal Air Force uniform is the standardised military dress worn by members of the Royal Air Force. The predominant colours of Royal Air Force uniforms are blue-grey and Wedgwood blue. Many Commonwealth air forces' uniforms are also based on the RAF pattern, but with nationality shoulder flashes. The Royal Air Force Air Cadets wear similar uniforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Medal</span> Award

The Efficiency Medal was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men after twelve years of efficient service on the active list of the Militia or the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom, or of the other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the British Empire. At the same time a clasp was instituted for award to holders of the medal upon completion of further periods of six years of efficient service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil Defence Medal</span> Award

The Civil Defence Medal (CDM) is a long service award by the United Kingdom, instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in March 1961 and awarded for 15 years continuous service in a variety of different organisations including the Civil Defence Corps (CD), the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), the National Hospital Service Reserve (NHSR) and the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation. Qualification was extended in 1963 to Civil Defence personnel in Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Malta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Decoration</span> Award

The Efficiency Decoration, post-nominal letters TD for recipients serving in the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom or ED for those serving in the Auxiliary Military Forces, was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time officers after twenty years of service as an efficient and thoroughly capable officer. The decoration superseded the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration and the Territorial Decoration.

Air Commodore Finlay Crerar, was a senior Royal Air Force officer during the Second World War who served as the fourth Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC). He led the ROC through the final two years of the war and the difficult period of the V-1 flying bomb raids on southern England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)</span> Award

The Efficiency Decoration (South Africa), post-nominal letters ED, was instituted in 1930 for award to efficient and thoroughly capable part-time officers in the Citizen Force of the Union of South Africa after twenty years of service. The decoration superseded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efficiency Medal (South Africa)</span> Award

The Efficiency Medal (South Africa) was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men after twelve years of efficient service on the active list of the Citizen Force of the Union of South Africa. At the same time, a clasp was instituted for award to holders of the medal upon completion of further periods of six years of efficient service. The medal superseded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal</span> Award

The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is a decoration for police officers of the United Kingdom. First instituted in 1951, the medal is presented for twenty aggregate years of service in the police services of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal</span> Award

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal was established by royal warrant on 6 March 1934 by King George V. It is the oldest continually awarded honour within the Canadian honours system, and the first created specifically for Canadian service within Canada. Initially proposed by the Royal North-West Mounted Police Veterans’ Association, it took more than ten years for the proposal to be realized. The determination of the veterans was aided by the interest of Commissioner Cortlandt Starnes and Prime Minister R.B. Bennett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal</span> British Empire naval volunteer medal for part time ratings

The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, initially designated the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service Medal, was instituted in 1908. It could be awarded to part-time ratings in the United Kingdom's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve after twelve years of service and good conduct. The medal was a Naval version of the Volunteer Long Service Medal and its successor, the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Constabulary Long Service Medal</span> Award

The Special Constabulary Long Service Medal is a long service medal awarded in the United Kingdom to members of the Special Constabulary who have completed a specified period of service. Established in 1919 by King George V, the medal was initially created to reward members of the Special Constabulary for their service during World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal</span> Award

The Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is a medal awarded to regular members of the Royal Air Force in recognition of long service. It was instituted by King George V in 1919, the year following the establishment of the world's first independent air force. At first, the medal was awarded to Regular Force non-commissioned officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force. The award criteria were later relaxed to also allow the award of the medal to officers who had served a minimum period in the ranks before being commissioned. Since 2016, it is awarded to all regular members of the RAF, including officers who had never served in the ranks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonial Special Constabulary Medal</span> Award

The Colonial Special Constabulary Medal was established on 1 April 1957 as a volunteer and part-time long service medal of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. On 10 April 2012 the medal became known as the Overseas Territories Special Constabulary Medal, and underwent a minor change in design. This reflected the change in the way Britain's remaining colonies were described, they being classed as 'Overseas Territories' from 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mauritius Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal</span> Awards of the colony and dominion of Mauritius

The Mauritius Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded by the Dominion of Mauritius between 1968 and 1992 to members of the Mauritius Police who completed eighteen years service.

References

  1. 1 2 "No. 62529". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 2019. p. 327.
  2. Royal Observer Corps Association: ROC Medal
  3. 1 2 Philip Wittingham. The Royal Observer Corps: An Analysis of the Long Service Medal and other awards. Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, Vol 50 No 1, pages 33-35, March 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 J. Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 250. Published by Token Publishing. Honiton, Devon.
  5. 1 2 H. Taprell Dorling. Ribbons and Medals. p. 128. Published A. H. Baldwin & Son, London. 1956.
  6. Award Productions - Royal Observer Corps tie
  7. Smart Turnout - Royal Observer Corps NATO watch strap
  8. D. W. Collett. Medal Year Book 1981. p. 216. Published Medal Year Book, Chingford, Essex. 1981.
  9. Dennis Galvin. 1st Type Royal Observer Corps Medal. Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, Vol 48 No 2, page 104, June 2009.
  10. RAF Museum: Medal ceremony Archived 22 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Javelin, Journal of 12 Group, ROC Association, item 6. March 2015
  12. Including Observer Commander E.G.J.W Kent, MBE, see Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, Vol 20 No 3, pages 139-140, Autumn 1981.
  13. Royal Observer Corps Association: Chronological history