Joffre York enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) when he was just fifteen years old. He entered as a Boy Second Class in 1957. York undertook his training in HMNZS Tamaki and became a Junior Seaman in 1958 before transferring to the Marine Engineering branch. He was posted in HMNZS Royalist in October 1958, reaching the rate of Engineering Mechanic Second Class shortly after joining the crew. York was on board when HMNZS Royalist was sailing operationally in Malayan waters during the Malaya Emergency. He served in Royalist for a year before returning to HMNZS Philomel. He reached the rate of Engineering Mechanic 1st Class in October 1959. York spent a year serving in HMNZS Tamaki before joining the crew of HMNZS Pukaki in 1961. York served in Pukaki for two and half years including time peacekeeping in Malaysian waters. In March 1964, York was posted to HMNZS Rotoiti until he left the RNZN in March 1965.
Awarded by the Malaysian Government to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces who served in the prescribed operational area of Malaysia and Singapore during the “Confrontation” and Emergency” periods (1957-1966). The ribbon has five vertical stripes in the colours of the Malaysian national flag.
The New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealanders (military and civilians) who have served since the end of the Second World War. The NZOSM provides recognition for those who have earned a campaign medal or completed 7 days or more of operational service since 3 September 1945. It is awarded once only to an individual, regardless of how many times he or she has deployed on operations. The medal features the New Zealand Coat of Arms on the obverse and a kiwi on the reverse. The ribbon is black and white stripes, representative of New Zealand’s national colours.
The New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) was instituted in April 2011 to recognise military service since the end of the Second World War. One or more of four clasps can be awarded with the medal determined by military service undertaken: Regular, Territorial, C.M.T. (Compulsory Military Training) and National Service.
Eligibility is three years of service in either the Regular or Territorial (Reserve) Forces of the New Zealand Defence Force (Navy, Army, Airforce), or those who undertook Compulsory Military Training (under the Military Training Act 1949) or National Service (under the National Military Service Act 1962).
The medal itself has the New Zealand fern frond and the badge of the New Zealand Defence Force which combines the emblems of the (Navy, Army and Air Force). The ribbon colours also represent the three services: Navy (dark blue), Army (red) and Air Force (light blue).
