Circular silver medal suspended from a silk ribbon composed of narrow red edges, narrow white stripes, and a broad central band of blue. The obverse features the effigy of King George VI wearing the crown, designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget. The reverse, designed by Edward Carter Preston, depicts the lion of victory standing over the defeated beasts of Axis powers, symbolizing the triumph of freedom over tyranny. It comes with its cardboard box.
The War Medal 1939–1945 was awarded to all full-time personnel of the armed forces and merchant navy for service of at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. It was granted in recognition of general service rather than a specific campaign.