ROYAL ENGINEERS POST WW2 BRITISH GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL CYPRUS SAPPER HARRISON

Offered is a General Service Medal 1962-2007, with clasp Cyprus, to Gunner Thomas, who served there with the Royal Artillery.

36mm circular silver medal with ornate scrolled ribbon suspension bar with ‘CYPRUS’ clasp; the 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, signed ‘E.C.R.P.’;; attributed on the edge to 23505302 SPR. W. J. HARRISON. R.E.; very good condition, on original ribbon.

The Medal was instituted in 1964 and awarded for participation in conflicts between 1962 and 2007 where a separate campaign medal was not issued. The Cyprus clasp was awarded to those servicemen who served in Cyprus from 21 December 1963 to 26 March 1964. Personnel who have served on a tour of duty after this time receive the United Nations Medal as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, who took over peacekeeping duties from 1964.