Which Side Do Medals Go On?
For Family Members
If you're wearing medals on behalf of a relative, wear them on your RIGHT side.
Relative's medals go on your RIGHT SIDE
For Veterans & Service Personnel
If you earned the medals yourself, wear them on your LEFT side, over your heart.
Your own medals go on your LEFT SIDE
Anzac Day Tribute
Anzac Day, observed on April 25th each year, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The day serves as a solemn remembrance of all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
The Anzac spirit—courage, mateship, sacrifice, and resilience—continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. When wearing medals during Anzac Day ceremonies, we honor not only the original Anzacs but all service men and women who have followed in their footsteps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiple medals should be arranged with the highest-ranking medal closest to the center of the chest. They are typically mounted on a single bar and can be court-mounted (where the ribbons are fixed to a backing board) for a neater appearance.
Yes, miniature medals are often worn for formal evening events or when full-size medals might be impractical. The positioning rules remain the same—left side for your own, right side for relatives.
Official medals are awarded by the government for military service, bravery, or campaigns. Commemorative medals are unofficial medals typically produced to commemorate an event or anniversary. While both can be worn, official medals take precedence.
Medals should be worn on the outermost garment, typically the jacket or blazer. If not wearing a jacket, they can be worn on a shirt or blouse.
Medals should be handled with care and cleaned gently. Use a soft cloth for regular dusting. For tarnished medals, a mild solution of warm water and a drop of dish soap can be used, followed by thorough drying. Avoid harsh chemicals or polishes that might damage the finish. For ribbons, gentle spot cleaning is best, and they should be replaced if significantly faded or frayed.
Military service records are the primary source for medal entitlements. Check national archives, defense departments, or veteran affairs offices in your country. Many have online search capabilities or request forms. You'll typically need details like the service member's full name, date of birth, service number, and dates of service. Local veterans' organizations can also provide guidance on researching medal entitlements.
Service medals are awarded for participating in specific campaigns, deployments, or periods of service. They recognize presence in a theater of operations or length of service. Gallantry or bravery medals, by contrast, are awarded for specific acts of courage, heroism, or distinguished conduct under fire. Service medals are generally worn after gallantry medals in order of precedence.
Yes, you can wear your ancestor's medals during the Anzac Day march, but they must be worn on the right side to signify they belonged to someone else. Ideally, wear only medals of direct relatives like parents or grandparents. The RSL guidelines recommend wearing only one set of family medals, typically those of the person with whom you have the closest relationship.
If you're wearing both your own medals and those of a relative, wear your own medals on the left side and your relative's on the right side. Your own medals should be mounted in order of precedence. There is no formal requirement to match the mounting style between the two sets, though aesthetically many people prefer consistency in presentation.
Yes, it is entirely appropriate to wear medals to the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. In fact, the Dawn Service is one of the most significant occasions for wearing medals, whether they are your own or those of a relative. Full-size medals are traditionally worn at morning ceremonies including the Dawn Service, while miniatures are more appropriate for evening functions.
When attending RSL clubs after Anzac Day services or on Remembrance Day, it is acceptable and encouraged to continue wearing medals throughout the day. The same rules apply: your own medals on the left, relatives' medals on the right. Many RSLs have specific events and commemorations where medals are an important part of the occasion.
Yes, it is entirely appropriate to wear both medals and a poppy on Remembrance Day. The poppy should be positioned on the left side of your chest, either centered on the lapel or placed above any medals you're wearing. If you're wearing medals on behalf of a relative (on your right side), you would still wear the poppy on your left lapel.
For both Remembrance Sunday parades and Armistice Day ceremonies, the medal protocol remains the same. Full-size medals are traditionally worn at both events. The main difference is that Remembrance Sunday typically involves more formal parades and church services, while Armistice Day (November 11th) often centers around the Two Minute Silence at 11am, which may be observed in various settings including workplaces and schools.
Yes, medals awarded by Commonwealth countries can be worn alongside British medals. They should be positioned according to the official Order of Wear published by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. Generally, British orders and decorations take precedence, followed by Commonwealth and then foreign awards. If you're wearing medals awarded to a relative from a Commonwealth country, they should be worn on the right side.
With formal morning dress, full-size medals are worn. On evening wear (white tie or black tie), miniature medals are traditionally worn. For white tie events, miniature medals are worn on the left lapel of the tailcoat. For black tie events, miniatures are worn on the left lapel of the dinner jacket. Medal ribbons alone are not generally worn with formal dress. The same rules apply regarding which side to wear the medals: left for your own, right for relatives.
The protocol for wearing medals is the same for both Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The distinction lies in the purpose of the observances: Veterans Day honors all who have served, while Memorial Day specifically remembers those who died in service. For both holidays, veterans wear their medals on the left side, while family members wear their relatives' medals on the right side.
Civilian decorations awarded by the U.S. government (such as Presidential Medals of Freedom or Civilian Service Medals) are typically worn in the same manner as military medals: on the left side. In terms of precedence, most U.S. military decorations take precedence over civilian awards, though certain high civilian honors like the Medal of Freedom may be positioned near the top. When wearing both types, generally display military decorations closest to the heart.
For military funerals, veterans attending should wear their medals on the left side as a sign of respect. Family members of the deceased may wear the deceased's medals on their right side. Full-size medals are appropriate for daytime funerals, while miniatures would be worn for evening services. Active military personnel typically wear their dress uniform with ribbons rather than medals, according to their service branch regulations.
Yes, in the United States, it's common and acceptable to wear ribbon bars instead of full-size medals at many ceremonies. Ribbon bars are particularly appropriate for less formal events and when in certain uniforms. Active military personnel typically wear ribbons on their service uniforms following their branch regulations. Veterans may choose either ribbons or medals, though full medals are preferred for significant occasions like Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies.