British Commonwealth War and Campaign Medals Awarded to New Zealanders - The Naval General Service Medal 1915 - 62
About this medal
The Naval General Service Medal (NGSM) 1915 - 62 was instituted in 1915 to recognise service in minor naval operations for which no separate medal was intended. Because of its relatively long history this medal carries the Obverse effigy of three successive Sovereigns, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. In addition, there are two different versions of the George VI and Elizabeth II effigies.
Only one clasp to the NGSM 1915 - 62 has been awarded to New Zealand military personnel in large numbers: the clasp 'Malaya'. The clasp 'Malaya' recognised service by Royal New Zealand Navy personnel in the Malayan Emergency of 1948 to 31 July 1960.
The NGSM 1915 - 62 was replaced in 1964 by the General Service Medal 1962.
Royal Warrant
Campaign Medals are instituted by Warrants signed by the reigning Sovereign at the time they are instituted.
Medal Regulations
The Regulations for the following clasps to the Naval General Service Medal 1915 - 62 can be viewed below.
Clasps and Bars
A total of seventeen clasps were issued with this medal.
| Clasp | Comments |
|---|---|
| Persian Gulf 1909 - 1914 | |
| Iraq 1919 - 20 | rare |
| NW Persia 1919 - 20 | exceptionally rare |
| Palestine 1936 - 39 | |
| SE Asia 1945 - 46 | |
| Minesweeping 1945 – 47 | |
| Palestine 1945 – 48 | |
| Malaya (George VI and Elizabeth II) | for service between 16 Jun 1948 and 31 Jul 1960 |
| Yangtze 1949 | |
| Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945 – 53 | rare |
| Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945 – 46 | very rare |
| Bomb and Mine Clearance Mediterranean | very rare |
| Cyprus | for service between 1 Apr 1955 and 18 Apr 1959 |
| Near East | for service during the Suez Crisis of 1956 |
| Arabian Peninsula | for service between 1 Jan 1957 and 30 Jun 1960 |
| Brunei | for service between 8 Dec 1962 and 23 Dec 1962 |
| Canal Zone | for 30 days' continuous service between 16 Oct 1951 and 19 Oct 1954 |
Order of Wear
The position of the NGSM 1915 - 62 in the Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table can be viewed here.
Media Statements
concerning service by New Zealand military personnel recognised by the NGSM (Malaya)
- 16 December 2001 - Minister of Defence presents medals to Navy veterans for service in Malaya
- 11 June 2001 - Medallic grievances addressed