POST WW2 ERA BRITISH ARMY TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY MEDAL 1953-2000 J A STEPTOE

Offered is an original Territorial Efficiency Medal.

Medal is a 55mm high, being an oval silver medal on ornate fixed suspension of two laurel leaves with ‘TERRITORIAL’ bar; the face with the Tudor-crowned head and shoulders of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, circumscribed ‘ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF.’ (Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen of Great Britain Defender of the Faith); the reverse inscribed ‘FOR / EFFICIENT / SERVICE’; attributed on the edge to 22226844 S. SGT. J. A. STEPTOE. R.A.O.C.; on original ribbon.

The medal was instituted on 17 October 1930 to simplify the then existing awards, replacing the Territorial Efficiency Medal, the Militia Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the equivalent awards issued by Commonwealth countries to other ranks in the volunteer forces. It was awarded for 12 years’ continuous efficient service (wartime service and also peacetime service in West Africa counting double). In 1969, with the establishment of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve, the ribbon was changed to blue and green with yellow side stripes and the ‘Territorial’ bar was changed to ‘T&AVR’. In 1982, the title ‘Territorial Army’ having been restored, the ‘Territorial’ bar was restored. The Decoration was superseded by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 2000.