Italy Star 1943-45 awarded to Sergeant Herbert Frederick Chambers, Royal Armoured Corps and Special Boat Service (SBS)

Copper-zinc alloy medal in the form of a six-pointed star, on the obverse, the royal cypher, 'GRVI', for King George VI (1895-1952), within circlet bearing the medal name, 'The Italy Star', surmounted by a crown. The reverse is plain and the medal is suspended by a ring from a ribbon with central green stripe flanked by white and red stripes.

Instituted in May 1945, the Italy Star was awarded to British and Commonwealth personnel who served in Sicily or Italy between the 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945 during World War Two (1939-1945). Those serving in Yugoslavia, Greece, Corsica and Sardinia at various times also qualified for the campaign medal.

Chambers joined the Army in 1932, serving in India for four years. At the outbreak of World War Two, while serving in the Royal Armoured Corps in the Near East, Chambers was recruited into the special forces. Following victory in North Africa SBS and Long Range Desert Group personnel were transferred to the Aegean where they took part in a series of raids. In July 1944 during a raid on Crete Chambers led one of a number of demolition teams attacking German fuel and ammunition dumps. SBS units went on to serve in Italy and take part in the liberation of Greece and it was in the latter campaign that Chambers won his Military Medal. Chambers went on to be mentioned in despatches in 1945.

From a World War Two medal group including, Military Medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star 1940-43, Defence Medal 1939-45 and British War Medal 1939-45.