WWI UK Medals and awards during the reign of King George V (3)

The British Gallantry Decorations and Bravery Awards




1. Victoria Cross (VC)

Ribbon

Blue Ribbon                 Red Ribbon

The Victoria Cross was instituted on 29th January 1856. This is the highest award for gallantry. It is awarded for an act of outstanding courage or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. All ranks were, and still are, eligible when serving with the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Until April 1918 the medal ribbon issued with the Victoria Cross was red (or crimson) for Army recipients and blue for Navy recipients. The VC is designed in the form of the Maltese Cross: in the centre of the medal is a lion guardant standing upon the Royal Crown. The words "For valour" are inscribed below. A miniature cross emblem is worn on the ribbon alone in undress uniform.

WWI UK Medals and awards during the reign of King George V 1910-1936

WWI UK Medals and awards during the reign of King George V 1910-1936, compiled by Tiaan Jacobs, DWD June 2016

The majority of the British medals and clasps are made of solid silver, though some were issued in bronze versions. The majority of the British campaign awards are circular, usually 36mm in diameter.

The British Campaign Medals

A Service Medal is awarded to all those who meet a particular set of criteria. These criteria are usually that an individual has served in a specific area, usually for a specified minimum time between set dates.

WWI UK Medals and awards during the reign of King George V (2)

5. Mercantile Marine War Medal

Ribbon

Obverse                           Reverse

The medal was established in 1919. The Board of Trade awarded this campaign medal, the Mercantile Marine War Medal, to people who had served in the Merchant Navy and who had made a voyage through a war zone or danger zone during the 1914-1918 war.

6. Military Territorial Force War Medal

Ribbon

Obverse                                                                              Reverse

Instituted on 26th April 1920. Only members of the Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Service were eligible for this medal. They had to have been a member of the Territorial Force on or before 30th September 1914 and to have served in an operational theatre of war outside the United Kingdom between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. An individual who was eligible to receive the 1914 Star or 1914/15 Star, could not receive the Territorial War Medal.

7. Allied Subjects’ Medal

Ribbon

Obverse                           Reverse

The Allied Subjects Medal was instituted in 1922 and awarded by the Foreign Office to Allied personnel who, at risk to their own lives or liberty, assisted British soldiers behind enemy lines during the War of 1914 to 1918.




8. Women's Service Awards (British Red Cross Society War Service)

                                                                     Obverse                       Reverse                              

Instituted in 1920 this medal was awarded to members of the British Red Cross or its voluntary aid detachments who served in the UK between 4 August 1914 and 31 December 1919 and were therefore not eligible for British military medals. Those who were eligible had to undertake at least 1,000 hours of unpaid service, or be ambulance drivers and bearers who gave 500 hours unpaid service.