General Service Medal 1918-62 with clasp, 'Canal Zone', awarded to Sergeant J R G Pringle, Royal Army Educational Corps

Circular silver medal with, on the obverse, the crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II and the inscription, 'Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina F.D.'. On the reverse, the winged figure of Victory, designed by Edward Carter Preston. The medal is suspended from a purple and green striped ribbon with a silver bar bearing the title, 'Canal Zone'.

Britain maintained a military presence in Egypt to protect the Suez Canal under the terms of a 1936 treaty. However, in October 1951 the Egyptian government repudiated the agreement. Without their co-operation supplying the garrison was difficult. Violence also escalated and in the next five years 54 British servicemen were killed. Pringle was stationed at Tel El Kebir during his National Service in 1952-1954.

The General Service Medal 1918-62 was instituted in 1923 as a general service medal awarded for minor conflicts for which no other specific campaign medal was awarded. It was always issued with a clasp indicating the area for which the medal was awarded. 16 clasps were issued. The 'Canal Zone' clasp was awarded for 30 days continuous service between 16 October 1951 and 19 October 1954 within specified geographical boundaries in Egypt. It was only instituted in October 2003, following representations to Prime Minister Tony Blair.