WW2 ERA BRITISH ARMY TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY MEDAL 1937-1948 864189 SAPPER BAILEY

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 crowned head and shoulders of King George VI facing left, circumscribed ‘GEORGIVS•VI•D•G•BR•OMN•REX•ET•INDIÆ•IMP•’ (George VI by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India), signed ‘PM’ (for the sculptor Percy Metcalfe, CVO, RDI, 1895-1970) ; the reverse inscribed ‘FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE’; attributed on the edge to 864189 SPR. W. C. BAILEY. R.E.; on original ribbon.

Sapper William Charles Bailey initially enlisted for service with the Royal Artillery in 1937, being transferred to the Royal Engineers 2/1/1940.

The Medal was instituted on 17 October 1930 to simplify the 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). The first version bore the head of King George V and this was replaced by that of King George VI in 1937. In 1948, following the granting of independence to India, the circumscription on the face was changed and a second George VI type issued.