The King's Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom is a British medal instituted by King
George VI
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until Death and state funeral of George VI, his death in 1952 ...
on 23 August 1945. It was awarded to civilian foreign nationals, mainly of allied countries, who had given meritorious service to further the interests of the British Commonwealth or the
Allied cause during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. Activities recognised included fund raising for British war relief, scientific research that aided the war effort and organising ambulance services. The medal was awarded 2,539 times.
The medal is silver and in diameter. The obverse bears the left facing crowned effigy of King George VI with the inscription 'GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP'. The reverse shows a medieval warrior in armour carrying a broken lance, being offered sustenance by a woman. The upper circumference is inscribed 'FOR SERVICE IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM', with 'THE KINGS MEDAL' below. The medal was awarded unnamed.
The medal has a ring suspension. The wide ribbon is white with a central red stripe, flanked by blue stripes.
Those who helped British military personnel to escape the enemy, return from occupied areas or for other dangerous work for the British or Allied cause during the war were eligible for the
King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom.
Notable recipients
*
Grace Macurdy (1866-1946). Awarded in 1946 for her role in Greek and British war relief.
*
John G. Trump (1907-1985). Awarded in 1947 for his research and creation of radar detection technology used during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.
*
Ann Wood-Kelly (1918-2006). Awarded in 1946 for her service as a
ferry pilot with the British
Air Transport Auxiliary, she delivering to airfields more than 900 new and repaired aircraft of 75 different types.
References
{{reflist
Civil awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
Awards established in 1945
Military awards and decorations of World War II