Red Hackle

[Nervous Jock]

Originally there was only swing; each medal was attached to a bar, side by side and the medals could swing as the troops marched. There was a significant amount of noise created at each footfall. But with a band playing, it was drowned out.

Court mounting was a style devised for wearing at Court (not law court, but Royal Court). At large formal events (formal dinners, balls and the like) military men would wear their medals. There would be a constant tinkling and chinking and at the very least would be noisy and distracting.

When I left the RAF in 1982, court mounting was just being seen on middle ranking officers. Now-a-days, I am told that it is the standard style of mounting medals for all ranks.

Regards

Chas

Hence the reason you would be referred to as a 'Clanker' if you had more than one medal.

Court mounting is pretty much done by all ranks in the Army now amongst other things it provides a uniformity between medals with different cuts of ribbons. I recently attended a parade where some RN wore medals that were swing mounted and frankly it was scruffy.

[Drum Major]

Swish for one, clink for two, jingle for three or more and clank for a dud (those unofficial ones you can fill up your chest with). When I got my third in 1973 I court mounted them. I have pulled them apart five times to include new ones.

[Drum Major]

All official that is