PACIFIC STAR

	Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Pacific area 1941-45
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth forces
	Ribbon	Dark green (the jungle) with a central yellow stripe (the beaches), narrow stripes of dark and light blue (Royal Navy and RAF) and wider stripes of red (Army) at the edges.
	Metal:	Bronze
	Size:	Height 44mm; max. width 38mm
	Description:	The six pointed star has a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram, surmounted by a crown and inscribed THE PACIFIC STAR
	Clasps:	Burma

Awarded for operational service in the Pacific theatre of war from 8th December 1941 to 15th August 1945.  Service with the Royal and Merchant Navies in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and South China Sea and land service in these areas also qualified.  Personnel qualifying for both Pacific and Burma Stars got the first star and a clasp in respect of the second.

WAR MEDAL

	Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Second World War 1939-45
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth forces
	Ribbon	Narrow red stripes in the centre, with a narrow white stripe on either side, broad red stripes at either edge and two intervening stripes of blue
	Metal:	Cupro-nickel or silver
	Size:	36mm
	Description:	(Obverse) effigy of King George VI; (reverse) a triumphant lion trampling a dragon symbolising the Axis Powers
	Clasps:	None

All fulltime personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving, so long as they had served for at least 28 days between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945 were eligible for this medal.  It was granted in addition to the campaign stars and the Defence Medal.  E few categories of civilians, such as war correspondents and ferry pilots who had flown in operational theatres, also qualified.  No clasps were issued with this medal but a bronze oak leaf denoted a mention in despatches.  The medal was struck in cupro-nickel and issued unnamed, but those issued to Australian and South African personnel were officially named.  The Canadian version of this medal was struck in silver.

1939-45 STAR

	Date:	1945
	Campaign:	Second World War 1939-45
	Branch of Service:	British and Commonwealth Forces
	Ribbon:	Equal stripes of dark blue, red and light blue symbolising the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force respectively.
	Metal:	Bronze
	Size:	Height 44mm; max. width 38mm
	Description:	The six pointed star has a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram, surmounted by a crown and inscribed THE 1939-45 STAR round the foot.
	Clasps:	Battle of Britain

The first in a series of eight bronze stars issued for service in the Second World War, it was awarded to personnel who had completed six months’ service in specified operational commands overseas, between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September1945, though in certain cases the minimum period was shortened.  Any service curtailed by death, injury or capture also qualified, as did the award of a decoration or a mention in despatches.  The clasp awarded to RAF aircrew for action during the Battle of Britain was denoted by a gilt rosette when the ribbon was worn alone.

My grand fathers and fathers medals and cap badge