Territorial Decoration
Encyclopedia
The Territorial Decoration (TD) was a 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 This award superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration when the Territorial Force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 recipients of this award is entitled to the letters "TD" after the name (post-nominal).
and Territorial Army, with war service counting double and service in the ranks counting half. In 1930 the new Efficiency Decoration
was introduced to be awarded to all three services, but 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. It was finally replaced by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
, awarded to all ranks in all services, in 1999.
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.
.
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).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
awarded for long service in the Territorial Force
Territorial Force
The Territorial Force was the volunteer reserve component of the British Army from 1908 to 1920, when it became the Territorial Army.-Origins:...
and its successor, the Territorial Army. This award superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration when the Territorial Force
Territorial Force
The Territorial Force was the volunteer reserve component of the British Army from 1908 to 1920, when it became the Territorial Army.-Origins:...
was formed on 1 April 1908, following the enactment of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907
Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907
The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed the auxiliary forces of the British Army by transferring existing Volunteer and Yeomanry units into a new Territorial Force ; and disbanding the Militia to form a new Special Reserve of the...
, (7 Edw.7, c.9) which was a large reorganisation of the old Volunteer Army and the remaining units of militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
and Yeomanry
Yeomanry
Yeomanry is a designation used by a number of units or sub-units of the British Territorial Army, descended from volunteer cavalry regiments. Today, Yeomanry units may serve in a variety of different military roles.-History:...
. However, the Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
were transferred to the Special Reserve rather than becoming part of the Territorial Force
Territorial Force
The Territorial Force was the volunteer reserve component of the British Army from 1908 to 1920, when it became the Territorial Army.-Origins:...
. A recipients of this award is entitled to the letters "TD" after the name (post-nominal).
Criteria
The criterion was for a minimum of 20 years service in the Territorial ForceTerritorial Force
The Territorial Force was the volunteer reserve component of the British Army from 1908 to 1920, when it became the Territorial Army.-Origins:...
and Territorial Army, with war service counting double and service in the ranks counting half. In 1930 the new Efficiency Decoration
Efficiency Decoration
The Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
was introduced to be awarded to all three services, but 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. It was finally replaced by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
The Volunteer Reserves Service Medal is a medal awarded to all members of the reserves of all of the branches of the British Armed Forces - the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Territorial Army and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force...
, awarded to all ranks in all services, in 1999.
Honourable Artillery Company
Honourable Artillery Company
The Honourable Artillery Company was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII. Today it is a Registered Charity whose purpose is to attend to the “better defence of the realm"...
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.
Other details
Note that this medal is separate from the Territorial Force Imperial Service BadgeTerritorial Force Imperial Service Badge
The Territorial Force Imperial Service Badge was a short lived decoration of the United Kingdom awarded to those members of the Territorial Force who were prepared to serve outside the United Kingdom in defence of the Empire....
.
The equivalent award for the ranks was the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal
The Territorial Force Efficiency Medal was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force. This award superseded the Volunteer Long Service And Good Conduct Medal when the Territorial Force was formed in 1908 following the enactment of the Territorial and Reserve...
(1908–1921), the Territorial Efficiency Medal
Territorial Efficiency Medal
The Territorial Efficiency Medal is a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Army. This award superseded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal when the Territorial Force became the Territorial Army in 1921.-Criteria:...
(1921–1930), and the Efficiency Medal
Efficiency Medal
The Efficiency Medal was a medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
(1930–1999).