Established 1908 (29 September) | ||
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Type Military long service decoration Eligibility Territorial Force, and later the Territorial Army - Commissioned Officers Awarded for Granted for a minimum of 20 years commissioned service, with service in the ranks counting half and war service counting double. Status This award:
Superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration in the United Kingdom.
Was superseded by the Efficiency Decoration Description as follows:
Ribbons
Regular: 38mm dark green with a central yellow stripe.
Honourable Artillery Company: Half blue, half scarlet with yellow edges.
Metal = Silver and silver-gilt
Size = Height 46mm; max.width 35mm
Shape = Skeletal with crowned monogram of sovereign, surrounded by oak wreath with a ring suspension. | ||
The Territorial Decoration (TD) was a military medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army. This award superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration when the Territorial Force was formed on 1 April 1908, following the enactment of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907, (7 Edw.7, c.9) which was a large reorganisation of the old Volunteer Army and the remaining units of militia and Yeomanry. However, the Militia were transferred to the Special Reserve rather than becoming part of the Territorial Force. A recipient of this award is entitled to the letters "TD" after their name (post-nominal).
Contents
Criteria
The criterion was for a minimum of 20 years service in the Territorial Force and Territorial Army, with war service counting double and service in the ranks counting half. In 1930 the new Efficiency Decoration was introduced to be awarded to all three services, but when the ED was awarded to a Territorial Army officer it continued to be known as the Territorial Decoration and the recipient still used the letters TD after their name. It was finally replaced in 1999 by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal, awarded to all ranks in all services.
Honourable Artillery Company
For members of the Honourable Artillery Company the ribbon differed, being a half blue, half scarlet ribbon, with yellow edges. This distinction was bestowed by King Edward VII for the Volunteer Long Service And Good Conduct Medal and the honour extended to the same medals under the Territorial designations. The HAC ribbon colours were the household colours of King Edward VII.
Other details
Note that this medal is separate from the Territorial Force Imperial Service Badge.
The equivalent award for the ranks was the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (1908–1921), the Territorial Efficiency Medal (1921–1930), and the Efficiency Medal (1930–1999).