Royal Observer Corps Medal
Encyclopedia
The Royal Observer Corps Medal is a long service medal awarded in the United Kingdom
to members of the Royal Observer Corps
(ROC) relating to service between 1941 and December 1995, when the ROC was stood down. The medal was initiated in 1950 by HM King George Vl
.
, Observer Corps personnel were classed as Special Constables, retained by local constabularies
, and qualified for the award of the Special Constable Long Service Medal following a period of twelve years continuous service. However, this qualification and award ceased in 1941 when RAF
Fighter Command assumed sole responsibility for the ROC.
in Chief of the ROC, granted permission for the award of the Royal Observer Corps Medal in recognition of long service. For part-time personnel, the medal was awarded to those having completed twelve years of continuous service. Each subsequent service period of twelve years was recognised by the award of a clasp
depicting a winged crown . (On ribbon bar
s, a silver rosette was worn to represent the clasp). Full-time service on the part of ROC Officers counted for half the qualification period for part-time personnel; therefore requiring twenty four years service to qualify for a medal or clasp, but with any previous part-time service counting in full.
, with the addition of two outer stripes of dark blue. (The medal ribbon's colour sequence is reversed in the ROC regimental tie).
featuring the laureated head of Elizabeth II. Post-1953 medals featured the legend +ELIZABETH II DEI GRA:BRITT:OMN:REGINA F:D:, (later editions bore +ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F:D:), on the obverse. The reverse featured the coast-watcher figure from the ROC badge, (depicted against a backdrop of coastal warning beacons), with the motto FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED on a scroll beneath the figure, together with the words ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS MEDAL around the circumference. The recipient's rank, initials and surname were stamped into the medal's edge, for example LEADING OBSERVER E.M. BLASCRAIG.
Although the medal was authorised in 1950 non were struck with the effigy of King george VI.
The medal was suspended under an articulated brooch depicting the RAF eagle.
presented a Royal Observer Corps Medal to the Battle of Britain Class locomotive no.34050 Royal Observer Corps, which had commenced service with the Southern Railway
company in December 1946; the ceremony taking place at Waterloo Station
. The medal was mounted in a glass fronted cabinet in the driver's cab and the locomotive's side was repainted with a representation of the medal and its ribbon. These were displayed until the engine was retired from service and scrapped in the late 1960s. However, the original nameplate and front badge were recovered and displayed in the entrance hall of RAF Bentley Priory
, (HQ ROC), until 1996 when they were transferred to the RAF Museum
, Hendon
.
The only occasion where an ROC Medal was awarded to a former member of the ROC was when UKWMO
Sector Controller Kenneth Rodley was awarded the ROC Medal after twenty four years full-time service. Rodley commenced his ROC service as Group Training Officer with 20 Group (York) in February 1958 and was later seconded to the Home Office
, in 1971. It had been realised that, due to an administrative error, Rodley's secondment had never officially converted to that of a full Civil Service
transfer, and that he had therefore technically remained a member of the ROC. The Medal was awarded to him by Air Commodore George Black
at a surprise ceremony in 1984 at RAF Scampton
. Rodley attempted to make an acceptance speech but was overcome by emotion and took his seat to a standing ovation by those present.
ROC Medals are much sought after by collectors of militaria, and examples reaching several hundred pounds have been recorded at auction. ROC medals bearing the head of George VI were struck but not issued.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to members of the Royal Observer Corps
Royal Observer Corps
The Royal Observer Corps was a civil defence organisation operating in the United Kingdom between 29 October 1925 and 31 December 1995, when the Corps' civilian volunteers were stood down....
(ROC) relating to service between 1941 and December 1995, when the ROC was stood down. The medal was initiated in 1950 by HM King George Vl
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
.
Service prior to 1941
Prior to World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Observer Corps personnel were classed as Special Constables, retained by local constabularies
Constabulary
Constabulary may have several definitions.*A civil, non-paramilitary force consisting of police officers called constables. This is the usual definition in Britain, in which all county police forces once bore the title...
, and qualified for the award of the Special Constable Long Service Medal following a period of twelve years continuous service. However, this qualification and award ceased in 1941 when RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Fighter Command assumed sole responsibility for the ROC.
The new medal
In 1950 HM the King, as Air CommodoreAir Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
in Chief of the ROC, granted permission for the award of the Royal Observer Corps Medal in recognition of long service. For part-time personnel, the medal was awarded to those having completed twelve years of continuous service. Each subsequent service period of twelve years was recognised by the award of a clasp
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
depicting a winged crown . (On ribbon bar
Ribbon bar
Ribbon bars are small decorations that are worn by military, police, and fire service personnel or by civilians. Ribbon bars are mainly used when wearing either full decoration, or when wearing medals is considered inappropriate or impractical. Each military force has its own rules on what ribbons...
s, a silver rosette was worn to represent the clasp). Full-time service on the part of ROC Officers counted for half the qualification period for part-time personnel; therefore requiring twenty four years service to qualify for a medal or clasp, but with any previous part-time service counting in full.
Description
Ribbon
The medal ribbon was a mix of pale blue, dark blue and silver vertical stripes; representing the pale blue of the daytime sky, with a searchlight beam in a night sky at its centre. The colours of the ribbon were to be repeated in the ROC stable beltStable belt
A stable belt is an item of uniform used in the armed forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. Stable belts or similar derivatives are also worn by the armed forced of other nations such as Denmark....
, with the addition of two outer stripes of dark blue. (The medal ribbon's colour sequence is reversed in the ROC regimental tie).
Medal
The medal was die struck in cupronickel metalCupronickel
Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
featuring the laureated head of Elizabeth II. Post-1953 medals featured the legend +ELIZABETH II DEI GRA:BRITT:OMN:REGINA F:D:, (later editions bore +ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F:D:), on the obverse. The reverse featured the coast-watcher figure from the ROC badge, (depicted against a backdrop of coastal warning beacons), with the motto FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED on a scroll beneath the figure, together with the words ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS MEDAL around the circumference. The recipient's rank, initials and surname were stamped into the medal's edge, for example LEADING OBSERVER E.M. BLASCRAIG.
Although the medal was authorised in 1950 non were struck with the effigy of King george VI.
The medal was suspended under an articulated brooch depicting the RAF eagle.
Miniatures
Miniature ROC medals were licenced and worn at formal Black Tie events where the invitation indicates such are permitted.Unusual awards
In July 1961 the Commandant ROC Air Commodore Wight-BoycottCathcart Wight-Boycott
Air Commodore Cathcart Michael Wight-Boycott CBE DSO and bar MA, RAF R’td was a British fighter pilot during the Second World War and a senior Royal Air Force officer during the post-war years...
presented a Royal Observer Corps Medal to the Battle of Britain Class locomotive no.34050 Royal Observer Corps, which had commenced service with the Southern Railway
Southern Railway
The following railways or railroads are or were called the Southern Railway or Southern Railroad:- Europe :*Austrian Southern Railway, a railway company operating in Austria-Hungary between 1841 and 1923*South railway...
company in December 1946; the ceremony taking place at Waterloo Station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
. The medal was mounted in a glass fronted cabinet in the driver's cab and the locomotive's side was repainted with a representation of the medal and its ribbon. These were displayed until the engine was retired from service and scrapped in the late 1960s. However, the original nameplate and front badge were recovered and displayed in the entrance hall of RAF Bentley Priory
RAF Bentley Priory
RAF Bentley Priory was a non-flying Royal Air Force station near Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow. It was famous as the headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain and the Second World War. The RAF Bentley Priory site includes a Grade II* listed Officers' Mess and Italian...
, (HQ ROC), until 1996 when they were transferred to the RAF Museum
RAF Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity...
, Hendon
Hendon
Hendon is a London suburb situated northwest of Charing Cross.-History:Hendon was historically a civil parish in the county of Middlesex. The manor is described in Domesday , but the name, 'Hendun' meaning 'at the highest hill', is earlier...
.
The only occasion where an ROC Medal was awarded to a former member of the ROC was when UKWMO
United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation
The United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation was a British civilian organisation operating between 1957 and 1992 to provide the authorities with data about nuclear explosions and forecasts of likely fallout profiles across the country in the event of war.The UKWMO was established and...
Sector Controller Kenneth Rodley was awarded the ROC Medal after twenty four years full-time service. Rodley commenced his ROC service as Group Training Officer with 20 Group (York) in February 1958 and was later seconded to the Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
, in 1971. It had been realised that, due to an administrative error, Rodley's secondment had never officially converted to that of a full Civil Service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
transfer, and that he had therefore technically remained a member of the ROC. The Medal was awarded to him by Air Commodore George Black
George Black (RAF officer)
Air Vice-Marshal George Phillip Black CB OBE AFC RAF was a British Royal Air Force pilot, a senior Royal Air Force officer in the 1970s and 1980s and a Commandant Royal Observer Corps. From 1971 to 1973, Black was Station Commander of RAF Wildenrath in West Germany.-Early years:In 1950 Black left...
at a surprise ceremony in 1984 at RAF Scampton
RAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
. Rodley attempted to make an acceptance speech but was overcome by emotion and took his seat to a standing ovation by those present.
Disestablishment
The ROC was stood down in December 1995 and as such there are no ROC personnel in service. However, should the ROC ever be reactivated the ROC medal remains extant and awards could recommence at that time.ROC Medals are much sought after by collectors of militaria, and examples reaching several hundred pounds have been recorded at auction. ROC medals bearing the head of George VI were struck but not issued.