Royal Observer Corps Medal
Royal Observer Corps Medal | ||
---|---|---|
Clasps For each further 12 years service | | |
Established | 1950 | |
First awarded | 1953 | |
Last awarded | 1995 | |
Second award clasp | ||
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]
Service prior to 1939
Prior to
The new medal
In 1950, King
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 reversed in the ROC regimental tie.
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 coast-watcher 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,[6] for example, OBSERVER L.F. COLLINGS.[7]
Miniature ROC Medals were licensed and worn at formal Black Tie events where the invitation indicates such are permitted.
Unusual awards
In July 1961, the
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.[9]
Two recipients have received the ROC Medal with three clasps, representing 48 years of service including earlier service as Special Constables on observer duties.[10]
Disestablishment
The ROC was stood down in December 1995, and as such, there are no ROC personnel in service.[11] 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]
References
- ^ a b "No. 62529". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 2019. p. 327.
- ^ Royal Observer Corps Association: ROC Medal
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c J. Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 250. Published by Token Publishing. Honiton, Devon.
- ^ a b H. Taprell Dorling. Ribbons and Medals. p. 128. Published A. H. Baldwin & Son, London. 1956.
- ^ D. W. Collett. Medal Year Book 1981. p. 216. Published Medal Year Book, Chingford, Essex. 1981.
- ^ Dennis Galvin. 1st Type Royal Observer Corps Medal. Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, Vol 48 No 2, page 104, June 2009.
- ^ RAF Museum: Medal ceremony Archived 22 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Javelin, Journal of 12 Group, ROC Association, item 6. March 2015
- ^ Including Observer Commander E.G.J.W Kent, MBE, see Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, Vol 20 No 3, pages 139-140, Autumn 1981.
- ^ Royal Observer Corps Association: Chronological history