Page:EB1922 - Volume 31.djvu/940

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890
MEDALS AND DECORATIONS


who actually served in France or Belgium, on the establishment of a unit of the British Expeditionary Force, between Aug. 5 1914 and midnight of Nov. 22-23 I9 ! 4-

The star was also granted to officers and men of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who actually served in France or Belgium on the establishment of a unit landed for service on shore between the same dates. By Army Order 361 of 1919, a clasp to the star was authorized for issue to personnel of the naval and military forces who were actually present on duty within range of the enemy's mobile artillery and who were borne on the strength of certain specified units. The clasp is of bronze and bears the inscription " 5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914." When only the ribbon of this star is worn in service or undress uniform, the possession of the bar is de- noted by a small silver rose affixed to the centre of the ribbon.

(2) 1914-5 Star. Awarded by King George V. under Army Order 20 of 1919. This decoration is a bronze star, similar in shape and general design to the 1914 star, except that the inscription on the scroll is 1914-15, the words Aug. and Nov. being omitted. Ribbon: identical with that of the 1914 star. Granted to all personnel of the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses and others employed with military hospitals who actually served on the establishment of a unit of the military forces in certain specified theatres of war between Aug. 5 1914 and Dec. 31 1915. These theatres of war com- prised every locality in which troops of the British Empire were engaged against Germany and her allies during the period in ques- tion, with the exception that France and Belgium did not con- stitute a theatre of war for the award of this star till subsequent to midnight Nov. 22-23 I9H- Individuals who earned the 1914 star are not eligible for the 1914-15 star.

The star was also granted to (a) all officers and men of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Indian Marine and Dominion Naval Forces, who were mobilized and served at sea, or on shore within the specified theatres of military operations; (i) trained pilots and observers and men of the Royal Naval Air Service employed in flying from naval air-stations on overseas patrols; (c) mercantile marine officers and men serving under special naval engagements; (d) canteen staffs who served in a ship of war at sea.

(3) British War Medal 1914-1918. Awarded by King George V. under Army Order 266 of 1919. Obverse: the effigy of the King. Reverse: a representation of St. George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers. A skull and cross- bones in the foreground. Above, the rising sun of victory. The rib- bon has an orange watered centre with stripes of white and black at each side and with borders of royal blue. Granted to record the bringing of the war to a successful conclusion and in recognition of the arduous services rendered by H.M. forces.

The medal in silver was awarded to the following classes who either entered a theatre of war on duty, or who left their places of residence and rendered approved service overseas, other than the waters dividing the different parts of the United Kingdom, between Aug. 5 1914 and Nov. n 1918, both dates inclusive, (a) Officers, warrant officers, attested non-commissioned officers and men of the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian military forces. (6) Mem- bers of women's formations, who were enrolled under a direct con- tract of service for service with H.M. Imperial Forces, (c) All who served on staffs of military hospitals and all members of recognized organizations who actually handled sick and wounded, (d) Members of duly recognized and authorized organizations, (e) Enrolled and attested followers on the establishment of units of the Indian army.

The medal in bronze was granted to all British subjects who were enrolled in native labour corps and who served in theatres of war. The medal was granted to the R.A.F. under similar conditions and also to personnel of the force who (i.) were actively engaged in the air against the enemy whilst borne on the strength of an operational unit in Great Britain; (ii.) were employed in flying new aircraft to France; (iii.) were on an aircraft-carrying ship.

The navy also participated in the grant of this medal, but the main condition of award differed in that it was given to all naval personnel who performed 28 days' mobilized service, or lost their lives in active operations before completing that period, between Aug. 5 1914 and Nov. n 1918. The medal was also granted to personnel of the mercantile marine who served at sea for not less than six months between Aug. 4 1914 and Nov. n 1918.

(4) Victory Medal. This medal was the outcome of a meeting between the Allied and Associated Powers in Paris in March 1919, when it was agreed that in order to obviate the interchange of com- memorative war medals, a medal should be instituted, called the Victory Medal, which should be of similar design for all the Allied and Associated countries, but that the conditions of award should be laid down by each Government. It was arranged that the obverse should represent a winged figure of Victory, full length in the middle of the medal, and full face; on the reverse an inscription " The Great War for Civilization " translated into different languages. The rib- bon is identical for all countries and is red in the centre, with yellow, green and violet on either side shaded to form two rainbows.

The British issue authorized under Army Order 301 of 1919 con- forms to the lines laid down at the Paris meeting and is of light


bronze attached to the ribbon by a ring. When first manufactured, the medal was of dull bronze which proved unsatisfactory and the few which had already been distributed were recalled as far as pos- sible, though doubtless a few still remain in private hands. It was granted to (i) the usual classes of military personnel who actually served on the establishment of a unit in certain specified theatres of war; (2) naval personnel who were mobilized or rendered approved service either at sea between midnight Aug. 4-5 1914 and midnight Nov. 11-12 1918, or on the establishment of a unit within a theatre of military operations; (3) personnel of the R.A.F. under similar conditions to the army and with the same additions as already specified for the British War Medal. No clasps were issued with this medal but a small bronze oak leaf is worn on the ribbon by personnel of the naval, military and air forces, who were mentioned in des- patches by a commander in the field.

(5) Territorial Force War Medal. Awarded by King George V. under Army Order 143 of 1920: granted to members of the Terri- torial Force or Territorial Force Nursing Service who volunteered for service overseas on or before Sept. 30 1914 and who, having been passed as physically fit for service overseas between Aug. 4 and Sept. 30 1914, rendered such service during the war 1914-8, provide that (a) they were serving with the Territorial Force before Aug. 1914, or (b) had completed a period of not less than four year service with the Territorial Force before Aug. 4 1914 and rejoined that force on or before Sept. 30 1914. Members of the force who qualified for the award of the 1914 or 1914-5 stars were not eligibl for this medal. Ribbon : broad yellow centre flanked on each side

a narrow green stripe ; yellow edges.

(6) Mercantile Marine War Medal. Awarded in 1919 by Kin George V. The medal is of bronze. Obverse : effigy of King Georj V. Reverse: a merchant steamer in a rough sea with a sailing-sh and a sinking submarine in the background. Ribbon: red and gret with a central stripe of white ; granted to personnel of the mercantil marine who qualified for the British War Medal, and who, in additioi served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone ; also those who, whilst serving at sea, were captured by the enemy lost their lives through enemy action or were precluded by disabl ment through enemy action from further service at sea, before bei able to complete their qualifying service for one of the medals.

III. WAR MEDALS OF THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, ITALY AND JAPAN

The war medals issued by the United States prior to 1910 i described at 18.18. The part played by the United States the war against Germany in 1917-8 is commemorated by tb American issue of the Victory Medal, which is granted military personnel who served on active duty in the army of the United States at any time between April 6 1917 and Nov. n 1918. The medal is also given to those who served in Siberia or European Russia subsequent to Nov. n 1918. It is interesting to note that a series of battle clasps has been awarded for wearing on the ribbon of this medal, the United States being the only country which in 1921 sanctioned the issue of batt clasps. They are divided into two classes: (i) those given fo certain major operations, and (2) those given for the occupation of a defensive sector; only one of the latter class is given to any one individual. A small bronze star is worn on the ribbon service dress uniform for each major operation clasp. For eac citation of an officer or man for gallantry in action not warrant- ing the award of a Medal of Honor or a Distinguished Servic Cross, a small silver star is worn on the ribbon.

In the number of commemorative war medals France come second to Great Britain. They are as follows:

(1) St. Helena Medal. A bronze medal granted in 1857 to all survivors of the soldiers and sailors who took part in the wars lasting from 1792 to 1815. Obverse: effigy of Napoleon 1 Reverse: the inscription " Campagnes de 1792 a 1815. A ses co pagnons de gloire, sa dernidre pensee. Sainte Helene, 5 Mai 1821." Ribbon: green with narrow red stripes.

(2) Medal for Italy, 1859. A silver medal granted in 1859 to ; who took part in the war against Austria in Italy in that ye Obverse: effigy of Napoleon III. Reverse: the names of th following battles: " Montebello," " Palestro," " Turbigo," " Mag enta," Marignan," " Solferino," and the words " Campag- d' Italic, 1859." Ribbon: red with narrow white stripes.

(3) China Medal 1861. A silver medal granted in 1861 to the who took part in the China expedition of 1860. Obverse: effigy < Napoleon III. Reverse: the names " Ta-kon," " Chang Kia Wan," " Pa-li-Kao," " Pe-King " and the legend " Expedition de Chine 1860." Ribbon: yellow, with an inscription in Chinese characters.

(4) Mexico Medal 1862-3. A silver medal awarded in 1863 those who took part in the expedition to Mexico in 18623. Obvers effigy of Napoleon III. Reverse: the names " Cumbres," " Cerro Borrego," " San Lorenzo," " Puebla," " Mexico " and the lege