Saturday, April 14, 2007

Wearing and Mounting of Medal

PART X: FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO CONTRACTS AND TRADE
Public Stores

Unlawful use of military uniforms or certificates

419. Every one who without lawful authority, the proof of which lies on him,
(a) wears a uniform of the Canadian Forces or any other naval, army or air force or a uniform that is so similar to the uniform of any of those forces that it is likely to be mistaken therefore,
(b) wears a distinctive mark relating to wounds received or service performed in war, or a military medal, ribbon, badge, chevron or any decoration or order that is awarded for war services, or any imitation thereof, or any mark or device or thing that is likely to be mistaken for any such mark, medal, ribbon, badge, chevron, decoration or order,
(c) has in his possession a certificate of discharge, certificate of release, statement of service or identity card from the Canadian Forces or any other naval, army or air force that has not been issued to and does not belong to him, or
(d) has in his possession a commission or warrant or a certificate of discharge, certificate of release, statement of service or identity card, issued to an officer or a person in or who has been in the Canadian Forces or any other naval, army or air force, that contains any alteration that is not verified by the initials of the officer who issued it, or by the initials of an officer thereto lawfully authorized,
is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 377

The Mounting and Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars, and Medals

The following is provided in order that those awarded War Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals, particularly those earned during the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War, may know how they should be mounted and worn either on civilian clothes or on uniform.
Please be advised that this is just a hobby for me and I am not into the medal mounting business to make a living it is a past time therefore I can advise recommend etc but there are times when I may not be available to do medals. I thank you and hope that you understand.

CLICK ON PICTURES FOR LARGER VIEW


First World War Medals 1914 - 1918
(Swing Mounted)

Second World War Medals 1935 - 1945
(Court Mounted)


Korean War Medals 1950- 53/55 (Swing Mounted)


Nato United Nations Medals & CD

The Mounting of Medals
In order that medals may be properly worn, a "medal bar brooch" or pins for mounting are necessary. Please follow these instructions for mounting your medals:
Medals are mounted with the senior medal on the right or furthest from the left shoulder. If you are in possession of a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, Military Medal, Distinguished Flying Medal, British Empire Medal or other gallantry award, they should be worn to the right of other stars or medals, which will be worn from right to left. The word "right" used in these instructions means as the medals are worn, that is, furthest from the left shoulder.
Commemorative and nonofficial awards are worn on the right side.

Five Medals Maximum

Not more than five medals should be worn side by side in one row without overlapping and, up to that number, medals are mounted as follows:
Run the ribbon enclosed with each star or medal through the ring or clasp on the star or medal so that the ring or clasp is in the middle of the ribbon. Then place the double ribbon over the top of the bar and bring it back through the slot and sew the underneath ribbon to the bar, using the small holes in the bar for that purpose.

Example of mounting up to five medals If Overlapping is Necessary
(See UN Medals above)

Where six or more stars and medals are worn, it will be necessary for them to overlap. The medal at the left of the bar should be placed first and the remainder of the ribbons placed so that they overlap equally the medal on the right, or senior medal, being in full view. When mounting medals in this manner, it is not possible to bring the ribbon back through the slot in the bar. It will have to be brought straight down the back of the bar to which it will be sewn.

Example of overlapping Length of Ribbon

The length of the ribbon varies because of the difference in the height of the individual medals, stars and decorations. The overall length measured from the top of the ribbon showing to the bottom edge of all medals, stars and decorations should be four inches. The bottom edge of all awards should form a straight line.

Wearing of Clasps

The clasps on campaign star ribbons will be worn one-half inch above the ring of the star. As for the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the Dieppe Bar or the Hong Kong Bar, if awarded, should be mounted above the overseas clasp on the ribbon.

Foreign Medals Last

The Jubilee and/or Coronation medals are worn after campaign stars and medals and are followed by Long Service or Efficiency decorations and medals. Authorized foreign orders, decorations and medals are worn last in order of date of award irrespective of nationality.
If you require further information, please write to:
Veterans Affairs Canada Honours and Awards
66 Slater Street OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0P4

If you served with the Merchant Navy, please write to:

VAC Merchant Navy Registry
P.O. Box 7700 Charlottetown, P.E.I.
C1A 8M9

Your branch of service, service number, rank, date of birth and full given names are necessary.
More information on the Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals (external link)
For information on purchasing medals go to
For more information on mounting and framing of medals contact Norm at 1 204 832 1255 or by e-mail at normvant@mts.net