Territorial Decoration

The Territorial Decoration (TD) was a military medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army. This award superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration when the Territorial Force was formed on 1 April 1908, following the enactment of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907, (7 Edw.7, c.9) which was a large reorganisation of the old Volunteer Army and the remaining units of militia and Yeomanry. However, the Militia were transferred to the Special Reserve rather than becoming part of the Territorial Force. A recipient of this award is entitled to use the letters "TD" after their name (post-nominal).[1]

Territorial Decoration
King Edward VII (left) and King George V (right) versions
TypeMilitary long service decoration
Awarded forGranted for a minimum of 20 years commissioned service, with service in the ranks counting half and war service counting double.
Descriptionas follows:
  • Ribbons
    • Regular: 38mm dark green with a central yellow stripe.
    • Honourable Artillery Company: Half blue, half scarlet with yellow edges.
  • Metal = Silver and silver-gilt
  • Size = Height 46mm; max.width 35mm
  • Shape = Skeletal with crowned monogram of sovereign, surrounded by oak wreath with a ring suspension.
Presented bythe Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India
EligibilityTerritorial Force, and later the Territorial Army - Commissioned Officers
StatusThis award:
Established1908 (29 September)
Total recipients4,783
Regular and HAC ribbon bars

Criteria

The original criterion was for a minimum of 20 years’ service (subsequently reduced to 12 years‘ service) in the Territorial Force and Territorial Army, with war service counting double and service in the ranks counting half. In 1930 the new Efficiency Decoration or ‘ED’ was introduced to be awarded to all three services. When the ED was awarded to a Territorial Army officer it continued to be known as the Territorial Decoration and the recipient still used the letters TD after their name.[2] It was finally replaced in 1999 by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal, awarded to all ranks in all services.

Honourable Artillery Company

For members of the Honourable Artillery Company the ribbon differed, being a half blue, half scarlet ribbon, with yellow edges. This distinction was bestowed by King Edward VII for the Volunteer Long Service And Good Conduct Medal and the honour extended to the same medals under the Territorial designations. The HAC ribbon colours were the household colours of King Edward VII. [3]

Other details

Note that this medal is separate from the Territorial Force Imperial Service Badge.

The equivalent award for the ranks was the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (1908–1921), the Territorial Efficiency Medal (1921–1930), and the Efficiency Medal (1930–1999).

References
  1. The London Gazette no. 28181, Tuesday, September 29, 1908 (Accessed on 25 July 2015)
  2. "New Decoration and Medals", The Times, 18 October 1930
  3. "Honourable Artillery Company - Welcome to the HAC website". Archived from the original on 2007-10-06.

Further reading

J M A Tamplin, The Territorial Decoration, 1908-1930, (1983), (Spink: London)

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