In the UK and Commonwealth Forces there are two types of medal mounting - Swing and Court.

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