Description

WW2 IRISH ARMY EMERGENCY SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1946 NA FORSAÍ COSANTA

Original Irish Army medal with box and with 2 bars for service

  • Emergency Service Medal 1939-1946

Background

  • Issued to members of the Irish Defence Forces (Na Fórsaí Cosanta) and auxiliary services for their service during “The Emergency” (Ireland’s term for World War II neutrality period).

Eligibility

  • Awarded to:

    • Irish Army personnel

    • Local Defence Force (LDF)

    • Local Security Force (LSF)

    • Civil Defence and other auxiliary services who served at least 365 days between 3 Sep 1939 and 31 Mar 1946.

Design

  • Material: Bronze

Inscription

  • Clasp: Na Fórsaí Cosanta 1939-46
    (“The Defence Forces 1939-46”)

 

The medal was instituted on 6 October 1944 to reward service during World War II, referred to in Ireland as the ‘Emergency Period’, Ireland remaining neutral but vigilant. The medal had eleven variations of the reverse for different service units. This example is for members of the full-time Irish Defence Forces, comprising the Army, Air Corps and Navy. A minimum of two years’ service was required to gain this medal and the ‘1939 – 1946’ bar was awarded for an additional two years’ service. This example was therefore awarded for service throughout the six-year period. In practice, it was not until 1947 that the medal was manufactured and distributed.