British war medals. The War Medal 1939-45(left) and The Defence Medal. obverse. Criteria for the awards: The Defence Medal: Three years service in UK, 6 months overseas service in threatened areas or for 2 months bomb disposal duty. The 1939-45 War Medal: 28 days service of any kind from 3 September 1939 to 5 September 1945. This medal could be awarded to Poles but they were not supposed to wear this medal if they also wore a Polish Active Service Medal (Army, Navy, Airforce or Merchant Marine). They could be awarded both, they just could not wear them simultaneously. Poles were made to sign a waiver by the English government stating that they would not wear both medals together. Most Poles either did not understand the waiver, or simply ignored it.