The New Zealand Defence Service Medal was instituted in 2011. This medal recognises all military service – regular, territorial, compulsory military training and national service – after the end of the Second World War. Jim Gillies of Dunedin completed the compulsory military training course in 1957 and was on the active list between 1960 and 1966, which meant he could have been called up to serve. He was one of the first to receive this medal – applications were originally opened only to those who were over 70 or terminally ill. Prior to the institution of this medal, non-operational military service had not been recognised by a medal.
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Reference: 6 June 2011, p. 35
by Craig Baxter
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