Sunday 10 August 2014

Medals

My parents have no idea what has happened to my great-uncle's war medals so I ordered replicas to be made for each of them.  It was very special to open the package last week and see them.



Four of my great uncles received The British Medal and The Victory Medal, but uncle John served during the period 1914-1915 so he was also awarded the 1914-15 Star.  Because my uncles died before the war ended the medals were awarded to their next of kin.


The 1914-15 Star
The 1914-15 Star was established in December 1918.  Just over 2.3 million of them were issued to soldiers who served between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915.  The medals are made of bronze and feature two swords that are crossed, an oak wreath, and the crown of King George V.  The ribbon reflects the colours of the British Empire.

The British Medal
The British Medal was awarded to soldiers who served between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.  Almost 6.5 million of these medals were issued.  Some were made of silver and others were bronze.  The medal bears the side profile of King George V and the reverse shows him riding a horse trampling the Prussian shield and a skull and cross-bones.  This represents victory of the foe.

The Victory Medal
The Victory Medal was awarded to soldiers who served during the war, women who served in hospitals or performed other services, as well as those who were involved in clearing mines after the war.  The medal was copper, overlaid with bronze.  On it is lady Victory (or Victoria) holding a palm branch.  5.7 million Victory Medals were issued.

The three medals were sometimes referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.



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