Campaign Medals & Awards

The British War Medal, 1914-1920

Eligibility for the medal was that a member of the armed forces had to leave his native shore in any part of the British Empire whilst on active service.

The Victory Medal, 1914-1919

This medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces who entered a theatre of war.

The 1914 Star

This medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses and others employed with military hospitals; who served in France and Belgium between 00.01hrs 5^th August 1914, and 24.00hrs on 22^nd November 1914.

The 1914-15 Star

Similar to the 1914 Star issued to all personnel, with a few exceptions, who served in a theatre of war before 31^st December 1915 and who did not qualify for the 1914 star.

The Territorial Force Efficiency Medal

Instituted in 1908 when the Territorial Force was established, the medal was generally awarded after twelve years normal service. War service counted double toward this figure at the advent of the First World War.

Meritorious Service Medal

This medal was in existence prior to the First World War and was typically awarded as a means of formally recognising long military service or given acts of merit. The MSM was, from 1916, also awarded for acts of gallantry or meritorious conduct when not in the face of the enemy.

Mercantile Marine War Medal

Established in 1919 and awarded by the UK Board of Trade to mariners of the Merchant Navy for one or more voyages through a war or danger zone during World War I.

Silver War Badge

The Silver War Badge was instituted in 1916 and awarded to members of the armed forces who were honourably discharged under certain regulations and who had served at home or overseas during the war. It was also awarded in retrospect to men discharged in 1914/1915 who met the criteria. The award to OW's is
under KR 392(xvi) - released on account of being permanently physically unfit.
 

Gallantry Awards

Distinguished Service Order [DSO]

Awarded for distinguished or meritorious service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.

Military Cross [MC]

Instituted by Royal Warrant on 28^th December 1914. The MC was a decoration for gallantry during active operations in the presence of the enemy. Commissioned officers with the rank of Captain or below or Warrant Officer were eligible. From June 1917 officers of the rank of captain [but who had a temporary
rank of major] could also receive the award.

Military Medal [MM]

Instituted on 25^th March 1916 (and backdated to 1914). The MM was awarded to other ranks of the British Army and Commonwealth Forces as an award for gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire in battle whilst on land.

Mentioned in Despatches [Mid]

"Mentioned in Despatches" is not an award of a medal, but a commendation when an individual is mentioned by name and commended for having carried out a noteworthy act of gallantry or
service. A Despatch is an official report written by the senior commander of an army in the field and would give details of the conduct of the military operations being carried out. It would be published in full or in part in the London Gazette.
This commendation could be made posthumously. 

In 1920 the War Office authorized the issue of an emblem to signify that an individual had been "Mentioned in Despatches" between 4^th August 1914 and 10^th August 1920. A bronze oak leaf was issued and could be worn on the ribbon of the British Victory Medal.

A copy of this information is available to download here.