Remembrance Day | 16. Wearing of medals

A. Can I wear someone else's medals?

A question which frequently surfaces, (especially just prior to Remembrance Day) is the wearing of medals which belonged to a member of the family, be it grandfather, father, uncle, mother etc. The answer to this question is a resounding “NO!”

However, it would be permissible to carry the individual’s medals and awards in the inside breast pocket of the member’s tunic so that they would be close to the heart as a sign of respect and remembrance but not necessarily exposed to view.

B. ORDERS, DECORATIONS, MEDALS AND OTHER HONOURS

REFERENCE:

A-DH-265-000/AG-001 Canadian Armed Forces Dress Instructions, Chapter 4, Paragraph 5

5. Although honour insignia may be bequeathed or given to a relative or friend (for Canadian orders with the concurrence of the Order), only honours actually awarded to the individual concerned may be worn, regardless of the occasion (see also Chapter 2, Section 1, Paragraph 49 and the Criminal Code of Canada).