Date Instituted: 1945.

Campaign: Africa 1940-43.

Description: Six pointed star with a circular centre bearing the GRI VI royal cypher surrounding which is the inscription 'THE AFRICA STAR'. The reverse is plain and the ribbon passes through a ring attached to the uppermost point of the star.

Metal: Bronze.

Size: 44mm high and 38mm wide.

Clasps: 'NORTH AFRICA 1942-43', '8TH ARMY' and '1ST ARMY'.

Ribbon: Buff with a broad central red stripe and a narrow dark blue stripe to the left and a narrow light blue stripe to the right.

Naming: Issued un-named.

Comments: Awarded service in North Africa between 10th June 1940 and 12th May 1943. However those serving in Abyssinia, Somaliland, Eritrea and Malta also qualified for this star

The '1ST and 8TH ARMY' clasps were awarded for service in each respective Army between 23rd October 1942 and 23rd May 1943 while the 'NORTH AFRICA 1942-43' clasp was issued to inshore Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and RAF between the same dates.

Further Reading:

• Nil.