Description
Physical description
Circular medal 36mm in diameter in cupro-nickel. The obverse bears the crowned head of King George VI, with the legend 'GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX ET INDIAE IMP :'.The reverse bears the image of a lion, facing left, trampling upon a monster having both an eagle's and a serpent's head, and talons and scaled tail of a dragon. The lion's right forepaw rests upon the eagle head. The dates '1939' and '1945' appear above the lion. The medal has a straight suspender bar. The ribbon, which is 32mm in width, is red with a central vertical stripe of navy blue and three narrow central vertical stripes of white, red and white. The colours are those of the Union Flag. This example with oak leaves.
History note
Wing Commander Douglas Blackwood (1909-1997) was the last member of his family to edit Blackwood's Magazine. He commanded 310 Czech Fighter Squadron at Duxford during the Battle of Britain. He was called up as a reservist at the beginning of the Second World War. He initially served as an instructor to the Flying Training School in Cheshire, then posted to 213 Squadron at Exeter. Then in June 1940 formed and commanded 310 Czech Squadron. In October 1940 President Benes, President of Czechoslovakia in exile awarded some of the Squadron, including Wing Commander Blackwwod, with the Czech War Cross. He left Duxford in January 1941for 84 Group in Northern Ireland and then 134 Wing near Exeter. His war service ended when the decision was taken to disband 134 Wing due to the lack of Czech replacement pilots. He was presented with the Czech Military Medal for Merit, First Class by Jan Masarik, Foreign Secretary of the Czech Nation in exile, who thanked him personally for all he had done for Czechoslovakia.