British Commonwealth War and Campaign Medals Awarded to New Zealanders - The Africa Star
About the Africa Star
The Africa Star was awarded for service in North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943.
Greece and Crete
New Zealand soldiers who were captured or killed in Greece or Crete in 1941 had qualified for the Africa Star before entering Greece. This was because they entered and/or were based in Egypt (North Africa) on or after 10 June 1940, before being sent to Greece.
About the ribbon
The ribbon is pale buff in colour, with a central vertical red stripe, and narrower stripes, one dark blue and the other light blue. The pale buff background symbolises the desert, the central red stripe symbolises the Army, the dark blue stripe symbolises the Navy and Merchant Navy, and the light blue stripe symbolises the Air Force.
Medal Eligibility Rules
The Eligibility Rules for the Africa Star can be viewed here.
Clasps and Bars
Three clasps are awarded with this medal.
- North Africa 1942-43
- 8th Army
- 1st Army
When ribbons only were worn on military uniform, a silver rose emblem on the ribbon denoted the award of the North Africa 1942-43 clasp, while a silver Arabic "8" or "1" denoted the award of the 8th Army clasp or the 1st Army clasp, respectively.
Order of Wear
The position of this medal in the Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table can be viewed here.
News related to the service by New Zealand military personnel which was recognised by the Africa Star
21 October 2012 - North African Veterans Attend Commemorations in Egypt
20 September 2012 - North Africa Veterans to Attend El Alamein 70th Anniversary
12 June 2012 - NZ Veterans of El Alamein Sought for 70th Anniversary
21 May 2009 - Ceremony marks the 68th anniversary of the Battle of Crete
18 May 2009 - Battle of Crete Remembered
20 April 2009 - Kiwis’ Libyan trek tracked in Anzac Day documentary