TERRITORIAL DECORATION

Contents

Introduction

References

Further Reading

External References

See also

Introduction

The 'Territorial Decoration' was a 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 This award superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration when the Territorial Force was formed in 1908 following the enactment of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907, (7 Edw.7, c.9) which was a huge re-organisation of the old Volunteer Army and the remaining units of militia and Yeomanry. The TF was formed on April 1, 1908. It should be noted that the Militia were transferred to the Special Reserve rather than becoming part of the Territorial Force.
The criteria were 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). This medal was superseded by the Efficiency Decoration in 1930.^[1]
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. ^[2]
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 (from 1908 to 1921) and the Territorial Efficiency Medal (from 1921 to 1930).
Recipients of this award were entitled to the post-nominal letters 'TD' after their name.
The most famous recipient was Winston Churchill, who received it in 1924. Other recipients include Horace Lambart, 11th Earl of Cavan. Major General, The Duke of Westminster was a recipient of the successor to this medal, the Efficiency Decoration.

References

1. Mackay, J., Mussell, J.W., Editorial Team of Medal News, (2005), ''The Medal Yearbook'', page 225, (Token Publishing Limited)
2. www.hac.org.uk

Further Reading

J M A Tamplin, ''The Territorial Decoration, 1908-1930'', (1983), (Spink: London)

External References

★ Queens Royal Surrey regiment - Territorial Decorations and Medals

★ - On Churchill being awarded a TD

See also

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