A Collection of Medals Featuring The Efficiency Medal in its Various Forms in the UK and India
Last Site Update 18/11/24
New Items:
GSM Malaya, EM(AER) and EM(TAVR) Trio: EM(TAVR) with Clasp & Cadet Forces Medal, served with SAS: Very Scarce EM(T) EIIR to the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment: Gulf Medal & 2 Clasp EM(TAVR): Scarce EM(T)(1982) and Clasp to Royal Irish Reg: Very Scarce EM(T) EIIR to Ayrshire Yeomanry: EM(T) EIIR to Inns of Court Regiment and 1st Clasp to Inns of Court Yeomanry: EM Militia GV 14-15 Trio Group : EM Militia GV Group with WW2 Medals: EM(T) (1982) with Clasp Group with Iraq Medal& Clasp & Golden Jubilee Medal: BEM, TD & EM(T) Group to ATS, WRAC & Red Cross:
Efficiency Medals to Woman
Auxiliary Territorial Service 1939-1948
The Auxiliary Territorial Service was formed on 9 September 1938 as the women's branch of the British Army prior to the Second World War and existed until 1 February 1949, when the remaining members were transferred into the Women's Royal Army Corps.
These women carried out a huge number of non-combatant tasks everything from cooks, clerks, orderlies, storekeepers, telephone operators and drivers to serving with anti-aircraft units, but not firing the guns. Some were serving in France and had to be evacuated from Dunkirk and the other smaller evacuations.
The A.T.S. Served overseas in nearly all the theatres of war.
As part of the Territorial Army the A.T.S. became eligible for the Efficiency Medal Territorial under the same rules as the men as detailed the Royal Warrant of 4th April 1946 (AO 52 1946). becoming the first woman to earn the Efficiency Medal. The first awards appeared in AO 85 1947.
Medals can be found with both GVI Obverses and very occasionally with the EIIR obverse, the latter are most probably late claims issued with the wrong obverse.
W.6071 SJT. L. M. WILLOX. A.T.S.
Defence Medal
War Medal
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL GVI 1st Type with Clasp (W.6071 SJT. L. M. WILLOX. A.T.S.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO85 1947 (The Auxiliary Territorial Service)
1st Clasp: AO162 1951 (The Auxiliary Territorial Service) (Now WOII Women's Royal Army Corps)
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Enlisted with the A.T.S. early 1939
W.1155 S.SJT E. J. SMITH. A.T.S.
British Empire Medal GVI 1937 Type (W/1155 SGT. EMILY SMITH. A.T.S)
Defence Medal
War Medal
Efficiency Medal TERRITORAL GVI 1st Type (W.1155 S.SJT E. J. SMITH. A.T.S.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO85 1947 (The Auxiliary Territorial Service)
1st Clasp: AO 126 1949 (WOII (The Auxiliary Territorial Service))
BEM: London Gazette 8th June 1944
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Enlisted in the A.T.S. 16th November 1938
The original BEM Recommendation states: Staff Sergeant Smith was enrolled into the service on the 16th November 1938 and served in the Dover area at the beginning of the war until the Military Unit to whom she was attached was bombed out and transferred to Scotland.
Throughout her service- Staff Sgt. Smith has displayed outstanding loyalty and unselfishness -
She has loyally and backed up all officers under whom she been placed without thought of self and personal gain and has worked untiringly to improve conditions in her company.
It is largely due to her personal efforts and example that notwithstanding very difficult circumstances that the Auxiliaries in her unit are very happy.
From personal knowledge of Staff Sergeant Smith, it is the considered opinion of myself and the officers under whom she is serving that her conduct and behaviour are exemplary and that she is well worthy of the highest possible recognition for her service to the Axillary Territorial Service
W.2636 SJT. B. G. FLEMING. A.T.S.
Defence Medal
War Medal
EIIR Coronation Medal
Efficiency Medal TERRITORAL GVI 1st Type (W.2636 SJT. B. G. FLEMING. A.T.S.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO85 1947 (The Auxiliary Territorial Service)
Coronation Medal 1953: Issued 2nd June 1953 (WOII, Women's Royal Army Corps)
Bertha Gertrude Fleming was born 13th March 1904 and is shown in the 1939 Register as Single and already serving with the A.T.S. at Bishops College Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. Her number indicates that she enlisted in the A.T.S. in late 1938
Bertha Gertrude Fleming died 1973 Newham Essex
W.4048. SJT. V. R. TURNER. A.T.S
1939-45 Star
Italy Star
Defence Medal
War Medal with Oak Leaf
Efficiency Medal Territorial GVI 1st Type (W.4048. SJT. V. R. TURNER. A.T.S)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO 93 1948 (Auxiliary Territorial Service)
MiD: LG 19/07/1945 Page 3741 For Service in Italy
2nd Subaltern UK Army List January 1946 Seniority Date: 10/08/1945
W.4048 Sgt V R TURNER A.T.S.
W.1495. PTE. E. BOULTON. A.T.S.
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal
Efficiency Medal Territorial GVI 2nd Type (W.1495. PTE. E. BOULTON. A.T.S.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO 93 1948 (Auxiliary Territorial Service)
Born 10th September 1906 in Walsall, Elizabeth Boulton enlisted in to the A.T.S. at the Drill Hall Walsall on the 3rd November 1938 describing her trade as Domestic Help. She served in the UK from enlistment until the December 1944 when she moved to the BAOR in Antwerp until returning to the UK in December 1945 and discharged 27th August 1946.
SUB. A.D. LOCKWOOD. A.T.S.
Efficiency Medal Territorial GVI 2nd Type (SUB. A.D. LOCKWOOD. A.T.S.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: 29th June 1951 238883 (now Capt. W.R.A.C., T.A.R.O.). Auxiliary Territorial Service)
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Ann Dixon Lockwood was born on the 29th January 1916 Yorkshire
She appears on the passenger List of the SS Queen Mary sailing for New York on the 19th May 1937 from Southampton, returning on the 14th June 1937 again on the SS Queen Mary.
The 1939 Register shows Lockwood as already serving with the A.T.S. at Penn House in York. She was promoted to Second Subaltern 27 Jun 1942 with the Officer No: 238883, later to War Substantive Subaltern. In February 1950 Lockwood was placed on the Unattached List with the rank of Junior Commander.
She married Alec William Forbes 1951 in Kensington, London
Now Capt. A. D. Forbes she resigned her commission on the 5th October 1951, and was granted the honorary rank of Capt.
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Ann Forbes Obituary
Published by The Times on Dec. 28, 2012.
Ann Dixon (nee Lockwood), died peacefully on 22nd December 2012, aged 96, at Ilsom House Nursing Home, Tetbury (formerly of Winchfield and South Warnborough). Widow of Alec and beloved mother of Fi Carpenter. WW2 FANY and founder of the Brighter Kensington and Chelsea Scheme which celebrated the Coronation in June 1953. Private funeral to be followed by a Service of Thanksgiving to be held in the spring at St Andrew's Church, South Warnborough, Hants. Family flowers only.
Triple Long Service Group. A.T.S, W.R.A.C. & Red Cross. A lifetime of Service
W/12956 SJT. E. SLATER. B.E.M. A.T.S
British Empire Medal Military GVI 1st Type (W/12956 SGT. EMILY SLATER A.T.S.)
Defence Medal
War Medal
Territorial Decoration EIIR (1966)
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL GVI 2nd Type (W/12956 SJT. E. SLATER. B.E.M. A.T.S.)
Voluntary Medical Service Medal Red Cross
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Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO 27 1953 (Auxiliary Territorial Service)
British Empire Medal: LG 8/6/1944 Page 2598
Territorial Decoration: LG 14/1/1966 Page 434
Emily Slater was born on the 21/07/1919. Her Service Number indicates that she enlisted with the Auxiliary Territorial Service in mid to late 1939.
In 1944 she was awarded the British Empire Medal Military Division and the recommendation reads:
Put Rec here
Slater remained with the A.T.S transferring to the Women’s Royal Army Corps when that replaced the A.T.S on the 1 February 1949. Slater was commissioned (LG 21st April 1951) to 2nd Subaltern, Subaltern (LG 23rd June 1950), Captain (LG 21st Aug 1951).
Slater appears to have left the WRAC in 1966 and joined the Red Cross for which she received the Voluntary Medical Service Medal on the 1st January 1981 after 15 years of service to that organisation.
Emily Slater died 3rd November 1981
From left to right, Lt W E Kelly, Capt E Slater BEM, S/Sgt Adam, and Maj M Paynter, Women's Royal Army Corps, 1964 (c); the frame was constructed by S/Sgt Adam from wood from old Willems Barracks, Aldershot. Copyright National Army Museum
Very Scarce EIIR EM(T) to the A.T.S.
W/15457. PTE. F. M. WHITE. A.T.S.
Defence Medal
War Medal
Efficiency Medal Territorial EIIR 2nd Type (W/15457. PTE. F. M. WHITE. A.T.S.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO 66 1955 (Auxiliary Territorial Service)
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Whites service number indicates that she enlisted with the A.T.S in late 1939
Woman's Royal Army Corps 1949-1992
The WRAC was formed on 1 February 1949 as the successor to the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) who's remaining members transferred to the WRAC. The majority of the WRAC performed administrative and other support tasks. In March 1952 the ranks of the WRAC, previously been Subaltern, Junior Commander, Senior Commander and Controller were brought into line with the rest of the British Army.
EM(T) was first awarded to the WRAC in AO AO157 1949 with the GVI 2nd Type Obverse, there are only approximately 19 medals with this obverse (Not including late claims). The majority of awards are EIIR 2nd Type.
W/3154 SJT. C. D. KIMBLE. W.R.A.C.
Defence Medal
War Medal
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL GVI 2nd Type (W/3154 SJT. C. D. KIMBLE. W.R.A.C.)
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Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO45 1950 (Nee Purdue.) (Women's Royal Army Corps)
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Born Clara Dorothy Purdue 21st February 1909
Enlisted in the ATS in late 1938
1939 Register shows her as Kimble (Crossed out) Stoner and Kimble, Unpaid Domestic Duties
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Research continues
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Died 1999 Petersfield
W/20602 SGT. D. PARKES. W.R.A.C.
War Medal
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL EIIR 2nd Type (W/20602 SGT. D. PARKES. W.R.A.C.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: AO26 1959 (Women's Royal Army Corps)
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Enlisted in the A.T.S. late 1939
W/361731 PTE. J. D. THOMSETT. WRAC.
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL EIIR 2nd Type (W/361731 PTE. J. D. THOMSETT. WRAC.)
Efficiency Medal Territorial: 1963 (Women's Royal Army Corps)
W/383399 SGT. J. V. BURKE. WRAC.
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL EIIR 2nd Type (W/383399 SGT. J. V. BURKE. WRAC.)
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL: AO 7 1966 (Women's Royal Army Corps)
1st Clasp: List No 92 1971 (WO Cl II. Women's Royal Army Corps)
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With miniature mounted on a bow.
W/406483 CPL. E. CLARK WRAC.
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R. EIIR 2nd Type (W/406483 CPL.E. CLARK WRAC.)
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R.: List No 100 1973 (Women's Royal Army Corps)
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A note with the medal states Elizabeth Clark, No 2 Squadron, 39 Signal Regiment (V) Women's Royal Army Corps
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Only 115 EM(TAVR) to the WRAC
W/431806 CPL D K GOH WRAC
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R. EIIR 2nd Type (W/431806 CPL D K GOH WRAC)
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R.: List No 131 1982 (Women's Royal Army Corps)
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Only 115 EM(TAVR) to the WRAC
Disbandment of the Woman's Royal Army Corps 1992
In October 1990 WRAC officers employed with other units were transferred to those units and in April 1992 the WRAC was disbanded and its remaining members transferred to the units they were serving with. Those who served with the Royal Army Pay Corps, the Corps of Royal Military Police, the Military Provost Staff Corps, the Royal Army Educational Corps, the Army Legal Corps and the Staff Clerks from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps were transferred to the newly formed Adjutant General's Corps.
W/808787 SGT J D HUNT RA
NATO Service Medal Clasp Former Yugoslavia
Efficiency Medal TERRITORIAL [1982] EIIR 2nd Type (W/808787 SGT J D HUNT RA)
Efficiency Medal: List 176 1993 (Royal Artillery)
First Clasp: LG 9TH Feb 1999 (AGC(SPS)) Adjutant General’s Corps. Staff and Personnel Support]
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Enlisted: TBC
Research continues
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps 1949-1992
On the 1 February 1949 the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Army Nursing Service (QAIANS) and the Territorial Army Nursing Service (TANS) became a corps and were renamed The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) because of the Women's Forces of the Crown Act (Army Order 5/1949).
Prior to the formation of the QARANC Territorial nurses had not been entitled to the Efficiency Medal or its predecessors
Q/1004231 CPL. J. A. C. BARLOW QARANC.
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R. EIIR 2nd Type (Q/1004231 CPL. J. A. C. BARLOW QARANC.)
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R.: List 100 Jan 1973 (Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps)
Q/1006904 CPL. S. MOORE QARANC.
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R. EIIR 2nd Type (Q/1006904 CPL. S. MOORE QARANC.)
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R.: List 101 Jan 1974 (Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps)
Q/1003905 SGT. A. M. THISTLE QARANC.
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R. EIIR 2nd Type (Q/1003905 SGT. A. M. THISTLE QARANC.)
Efficiency Medal T. & A.V. R.: List 111 Dec 1976 (Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps)
