Medals awarded to Private Herbert Burman. Left to right: Victory Medal, War Medal, 1914-1915 Star.
Most soldiers of the Great War qualified for 2 or 3 medals. The trio shown above (often called Pip, Squeak and Wifred) are fairly typical. Soldiers who did not serve before the end of 1915 did not qualify for the 1914-1915 Star and thus received the other two.
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1914-1915
Star
Awarded to all soldiers and sailors who served in any theatre of the war between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915. Nearly 2.5 million 1914-1915 Stars were awarded. Over the crossed swords are the dates 1914-1915. (Identical, except that when the date just says 1914, it is the 1914 Star [c.400,000 awarded]). The reverse of the medal has the recipients name, number and regiment engraved upon it. |
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War Medal Over 6.5 million War Medals were awarded to all those who served (including those who served in Russia or in 'cleaning-up' operations 1919-1920). It is made of silver and has the recipients name, number and regiment impressed around its outer edge. If only the name is shown then the recipient served in the Merchant Navy. If the message 'For Service with the Royal Navy' is seen then the recipient was a civilian who served aboard a Royal Navy ship. |
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Victory Medal The bronze Victory Medal was awarded to all those who had earned a 1914 or 1914-1915 Star or a War Medal. A bronze oak leaf on the ribbon indicated that the recipient was 'mentioned in dispatches'. The recipients name, number and regiment are impressed around its outer edge. |
For details of other medals such as the Territorial Force War Medal, Mercantile Marine Medal and 1914 Star, I recommend a visit to Paul Hinckley's 'Old Contemptibles' website. If you wish to go further and instigate reserach services you cannot go far wrong by visiting the 'Orders and Medals Research Society'.