The Territorial Force War Medal was awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who served overseas in World War I either serving with the force on 4 August 1914 or who had completed four years service with the force before 4 August 1914 and rejoined the force on or before 30 September 1914. It was only given to those who did not qualify for the Star; it is the rarest of the British Great War medals.

The medal is 36mm in diameter, made of bronze, and shows George V on the obverse (front), surrounded by the abbreviated Latin text GEORGIVS V BRITT. OMN:REX ET IND:IMP meaning ‘George V King of all Britain and Emperor of India’. On the reverse (back) is the text TERRITORIAL WAR MEDAL and FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE OVERSEAS 1914-1919. The name, rank, number and unit of the recipient appears around the rim at the bottom edge of the disc. The ribbon for the medal is 32mm wide, silk, and is yellow with two green stripes. The Territorial Force War Medal hangs from a bar through which the ribbon passes.

Nearly 34,000 Territorial Force War Medals were struck by the Royal Mint.