Greece (Kingdom): War Cross 1940. Bronze third class award

This type of War Cross was awarded for the Second World War, the Greek Civil War, and to Greek personnel of the United Nations Contingent that served overseas in Korea during the Korean War 1950-1953

The decoration was instituted by Royal Decree on 11 November 1940 (Compulsory Law 2646/1940) and continued to be awarded throughout the Second World War. It was re-authorised on 19 April 1947 for the Greek Civil War (1946–1949) and extended until 1953, covering the Greek participation in the Korean War. It was awarded to Greek and Allied (mostly British, Australian, New Zealand and later United States) military personnel, and for collective award to units regimental flags

Without doubt the most famous, of all recipients of the War Cross (Third Class) was the late Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh. While deployed in the Mediterranean theatre n active service during 1941, he was involved in the Battle of Crete and was mentioned in dispatches for his service during the Battle of Cape Matapan, where as a Midshipman he controlled the searchlights of the battleship H.M.S. Valiant. In addition to his MID, the Prince was subsequently decorated by the Free French Government (Croix De Guerre) and by the Greek Government in Exile with the Greek War Cross

Reference 'Medals to Australia' (R. D. Williams, Third Edition 1990), there were 13 x War Crosses Third Class awarded to personnel of the Australian Imperial Force (12) and to the Royal Australian Navy (1)

The decoration fitted with a good full length of silk riband

Condition: GVF

Code: 22806