Naval General Service Medal (1915)

The Naval General Service Medal (1915) was a campaign medal authorized by the British Admiralty in 1915 to recognize various minor naval war and peacetime services for which no other specific medal was awarded. It was essentially a continuation of the earlier Naval General Service Medal (1793-1840), covering a wide range of activities from 1915 to 1962.

The medal was awarded without a specific campaign clasp initially. Clasps were later authorized to denote the particular service for which the medal was awarded. These clasps indicated specific geographical locations, operations, or ship actions. Numerous clasps were created, reflecting the widespread naval activities during and after World War I and World War II.

Eligibility criteria varied depending on the clasp. Generally, the medal was awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and other naval forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth for specific periods of service or participation in designated actions. Individuals had to meet the qualifying criteria as outlined by the Admiralty Instructions and subsequent amendments.

The obverse of the medal typically featured the effigy of the reigning monarch at the time of the award, surrounded by an appropriate inscription. The reverse usually depicted Britannia on a chariot drawn by seahorses. The design could vary slightly depending on the monarch and the specific period of issue.

The ribbon of the Naval General Service Medal (1915) is dark blue with white edges. The clasps were attached to the ribbon above the medal, indicating the specific service for which it was earned.