History

The Civil Defence Long Service Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in March of 1961. The Silver Medal is awarded to members of the Civil Defence Force and a wide range of other auxiliary force organizations in recognition of 15 years of service. In 1965, the award was extended to civil defence personnel in Hong Kong, Gibraltar, and Malta. The Medal became obsolete in the United Kingdom following the disbandment of the Civil Defence Corps and Auxiliary Fire Service in 1968, however, it continued to be awarded to Civil Defence members in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

A clasp featuring the inscription "LONG SERVICE" is awarded to denote an additional 15 years of service.

There are 3 versions of the Medal which vary by reverse design. The first version was issued to British recipients and features a depiction of shields representing British civil defence organizations while the second version depicts Northern Irish organizations. The third version was implemented in 1968 and features the reverse inscription "CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE."