British Commonwealth War and Campaign Medals Awarded to New Zealanders - The General Service Medal 1962
About the General Service Medal 1962
The General Service Medal 1962 was instituted in 1964 to replace both the Naval General Service Medal 1915 - 62 and the General Service Medal 1918 - 62. It was awarded to recognise service in minor operations for which no separate medal was intended. Subsequent New Zealand equivalents to this medal are the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 and the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002.
This medal is silver and circular in shape. On the obverse of the medal is the Royal Effigy Crown, and on the reverse is a wreath surrounding the words "For Campaign Service" surmounted by the Crown.
For United Kingdom military personnel the General Service Medal 1962 recognised a range of service from 1962 until 2007, when it was replaced by the (United Kingdom) Operational Service Medal. In 2015 the United Kingdom also introduced the General Service Medal 2008.
About the ribbon
The ribbon is one inch and a quarter in width, and is purple in colour with green edges.
Royal Warrant
The Royal Warrant for the General Service Medal 1962 can be viewed here.
Medal Regulations
The Regulations for the following clasps to the General Service Medal 1962 can be viewed below.
- Borneo (for Operational Service
in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei)
- - awarded for 30 days, or 1 sortie, of operational service between 24 December 1962 and 11 August 1966.
- Malay Peninsula (for Operational
Service in the Malay Peninsula/Singapore)
- - awarded for 30 days of operational service on land in the Malay Peninsula or Singapore between 17 August 1964 and 12 June 1965; or for 30 days afloat, while in any RNZN, Royal Navy, or Army Department vessel on duty in the waters surrounding the Malay Peninsula/Singapore between 17 August 1964 and 12 June 1965; or for 30 days of sea patrol duties near the Malay Peninsula or Singapore between 13 June 1965 and 11 August 1966.
Clasps and Bars
This medal was always issued with a clasp. A total of fourteen clasps (listed below) were issued with this medal. However, only two clasps (Borneo and Malay Peninsula) have been awarded to New Zealanders in significant numbers. Both of these clasps were awarded for service related to the Indonesian Confrontation of the 1960s.
- Borneo
- Cyprus 1963-64
- Radfan
- South Arabia
- Malay Peninsula
- South Vietnam
- Northern Ireland
- Dhofar
- Lebanon
- Mine Clearance
- Gulf
- Kuwait
- N Iraq & S Turkey
- Air Operations Iraq
Order of Wear
The position of the GSM 1962 in the Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table can be viewed here.
Media Statement
concerning service by New Zealand military personnel recognised by the GSM (Malay Peninsula)