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.

The Mounting of Medals

In order that medals may be properly worn, a "medal bar brooch" for mounting is 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.

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.

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
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.