Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) was established on 22 October 1943.

The CVSM is granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and honourably completed eighteen months total voluntary service from 3 September 1939 to 1 March 1947.

On 6 June 2003, eligibility to the CVSM was extended to members and reserve constables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who voluntarily served during the Second World War.

A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The medal is linked to a straight suspender by a small ring passing through a small fixed ring at the top of the medal.

On the obverse of the medal, seven marching figures are depicted, representing men and women of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Nursing service; and around the rim, the inscription 1939 CANADA 1945 VOLUNTARY SERVICE VOLONTAIRE.

The reverse shows the coat of arms of Canada.

The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a royal blue centre flanked by two equal stripes of scarlet and dark green. The ribbon was issued during the war; the medal after the war.

A silver bar (often called a clasp), a maple leaf at its centre, was awarded for 60 days service outside Canada. A silver maple leaf is worn on the ribbon in undress.

The Hong Kong Bar is awarded to those involved in the Battle of Hong Kong during the period 8 – 25 December 1941. The bar is worn on the CVSM ribbon.

The Bomber Command Bar is awarded to Canadian Veterans who, regardless of rank or role, served a minimum of one day with Bomber Command between 3 September 1939, and 8 May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day). Recognizing that the successes of Bomber Command started on the ground and finished in the air over Fortress Europe, all Canadian Bomber Command Veterans who earned the CVSM, regardless of rank or role, are eligible for the honour.

The Dieppe Bar is awarded to those who participated in the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942, and is worn on the CVSM ribbon.

A silver bar, to be attached to the ribbon of the CVSM has been designed featuring the word DIEPPE in raised letters on a pebbled background. Above this, the bar bears an anchor surmounted by an eagle and a Thompson sub-machine gun. The design was created in consultation with the Dieppe Veterans and Prisoners of War Association.