Issued unnamed, this medal was awarded for the defence
of Great Britain during World War Two.
The ribbon colours, flame orange with
green edges, symbolise the enemy attacks on the
"green and pleasant land"; the black
stripes symbolise the blackout.
It was issued to everyone, military or civilian, who
helped defend Britain in any capacity. A famous recipient
was Colonel Mark Dillon.
During World War One he had fought at Cambrai
and been awarded the M.C.
He was twice mentioned in Despatches.
Following the war he instructed at Bovington, and
later served in both India and Egypt.
British tanks knocked out at Cambrai
Colonel Mark Dillon
At the outbreak of World War Two he worked at the War
Office assessing new weapons.
He was the last surviving Tank Corps
officer to have fought at Cambrai and died in 1997
at the age of 101.
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![[image] The Defence Medal](images/new-images/defencemedal.jpg)
![[image] British tanks knocked out at Cambrai](images/new-images/tanksknockedoutatcambrai.jpg)
![[image] Colonel Mark Dillon](images/new-images/col_dillon.jpg)
