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WWII campaign medal: the 1939-45 Star

Awarded to personnel who had completed minimum 6 months service in specified operational commands overseas, or who had received another decoration for courage, or a mention in dispatches
Ribbon: dark blue, red, light blue representing the Royal Navy (oceans), Army (earth) and RAF (skies)
A six pointed star with a circular centre with the GRI/VI monogram surmounted by a crown
Inscribed THE 1939-1945 STAR
Most allied service people qualified for this medal

Silk 'escape scarf' so named because airmen would wear this as a scarf but in the event they were shot down it could enable them to navigate their way out of enemy territory
Made of silk, they were more durable than paper maps, weighed less and easier for airmen to conceal
It is believed they were sewn into the lining of airmen's jackets
Double-sided with maps of the Far East
Highly detailed with mountain ranges, landmarks, national borders
Size 90cm x 60cm

The Purple Heart is an American decoration and the oldest military decoration in the world still in use
Awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy
It is specifically a combat decoration.
Initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington.
The medal is made in the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold
Bust of Washington in the centre and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top.

The Victoria Cross was instituted in 1856, reputedly at the suggestion of Prince Albert
It is the United Kingdom's premier award for gallantry, and can be awarded to soldiers of all ranks and in all campaigns
The original medals are made of bronze from cannons captured from the Russians in the Crimean War
In its entire history, just 1,354 VC's have been awarded and originals, when they do come onto the market, fetch from £80,000 and upwards
This replica is probably the only way for you to own a representation of this legendary medals

For use on British military bases on foreign soil - to prevent the need for British currency abroad
Seven notes: blue £5, three different £1 and the more modern 50p, 10p and 5p
These vouchers are printed to look and feel like British currency banknotes.
Date from the 1960's and 1970's

An original of the Crimea War Medal awarded to members of the Army, Navy and Marines who took part in action in the Crimea in the period 1854-56.
This war was fought between Russia and an alliance of the United Kingdom, France, and the Ottoman Empire, later joined by Piedmont-Sardinia.
The majority of the conflict took place on the Crimean peninsula in the Black Sea and included the 'Charge of the Light Brigade' immortalised by the words of Lord Tennyson
These particular examples were awarded with the 'Sebastopol' bar for service in the seige of that town September 25, 1854 to 8 September 1855
Just 3 examples available of what is an old and historic campaign medal
One of the earliest British campaign medals

The Korea medal was awarded to all British and Commonwealth forces who took part in the Korean War
The principal combatants in this conflict were North Korea, supported by People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Communist China, and later Soviet combat advisors, aircraft pilots, and weapons; and
South Korea, supported principally by the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, although many other nations sent troops under the aegis of the United Nations.
The design shows Hercules wrestling with the Hydra, with KOREA below
Relatively few examples of these medals are available for collectors as many are still with their recipients

Awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, the Netherlands of Germany from D-day to the end of the War
Service in the North sea, English Channel or Bay of Biscay in connection with the campaign also qualified.
Ribbon: blue, white, red, white, blue representing the national colours of the UK, France and the Netherlands
Only awarded for less than 1 year although most who fought in the D-Day operations would qualify

Awarded for operational service on land in Italy, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Aegean Sea and islands including Corsica, Sardinia and Elba at any time between 1943 and 1945
Ribbon: red, white, green, white and red representing the national colours of Italy
Most allied service people qualified for this medal

Awarded for operational service in the Pacific from 1941 to 1945, including service in the Royal navy or Merchant Navy in the Pacific or Indian Oceans, South China Sea, or in land actions in these areas as well
Would have included those who saw action against the Japanese invasion of the Malay peninsula and Singapore
Ribbon: dark blue, red, light blue representing the Royal Navy (oceans), Army (earth) and RAF (skies)

Awarded for entry into and operational area in North Africa between Italy's declaration of War in 1940 and the end of operations in Africa in 1943
Those who served under Field Marshall Montgomery ('Monty') would have qualified for this award
Service in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Eritrea and Malta also qualified, as did Royal Navy and RAF squadrons who flew over Africa
Ribbon: pale sand colour with stripes of dark blue, red, and light blue representing the 3 services (Navy, Army, Air Force) serving on the sands of Africa

Awarded for service in the Burma campaign 1941 to 1944
Would have included those who fell prisoner and worked on the notorious Burma railway
Ribbon: bands of dark blue and red, the blue with stripes of bright orange symbolising the hot sun of Burma

Awarded for Royal Navy service of minimum 6 months in the Atlantic or Home waters or for convoys to Russia. Merchant Navy personnel also qualified as did those in the RAF although the qualifying period for flyers was 2 months
Would have included all those who bravely served bringing convoys of parts and equipment across the Atlantic from the USA
Ribbon: watery mix of blue white and green symbolising the ocean

Awarded for operational flying for a minimum of 2 months, from UK bases over Europe
The most coveted of all the campaign Stars awarded for WWII
Would have included those who saw action against in the Battle of Britain, the bombing raids on Germany, and all air action
Ribbon: Pale blue (the skies) with black edges (night time flying) and a narrow yellow stripe on each side (enemy searchlights)
A scarce medal, highly sought-after