BRITISH 1918-1962 GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL MALAYA

37mm wide circular cupro-nickel medal with ornate scrolled ribbon suspension bar with ‘MALAYA’ clasp; face with the crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, circumscribed ‘ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.’ (Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith); the reverse with a standing winged Victory with Greek helmet, an upright trident in her left hand, a laurel wreath in her right hand crowning an upright winged sword. The medal is impressed named to: 23331203 PTE. M. L. COOK. R.A.P.C. The ribbon has been swing mounted as worn.

The medal was originally instituted on 19 January 1923 to be awarded to Army and Air Force personnel involved in small conflicts outside Africa and India where a separate campaign medal was not issued. This clasp relates to the Malayan Campaign, where British & Commonwealth troops helped Malaya and Singapore fight against communist guerrilla forces.The qualifying dates for service were between 16 June 1948 and 31 July 1960. For the Colony of Singapore, the date period was between 16 June 1948 to 31 January 1959.