Military Medals

British War Medal 1914 - 1918

This simple silver medal, once commonly seen in pawnbrokers and jewellers windows, commemorates some of the bloodiest battles, fought under the most ghastly conditions the world has ever known. Although the award is dated 1914-1918 it was in fact issued for certain operations up to 1920, chiefly postwar mine clearance and service in various parts of Russia.
The obverse has the coinage head of King George V with the legend GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP. On the reverse is St. George on horseback trampling the shield of the Central Powers. Underneath is a skull and crossbones, the symbol of death, and above is the risen sun of victory. Around the upper edge are the dates 1914 and 1918. The suspender does not swivel and the ribbon has a broad orange watered centre flanked on each side by white, black and blue stripes. Over five and a half million of these medals were issued, and just over 100,000 bronze medals were awarded to native Labour Corps. It was issued singly without the Victory medal to certain personnel who did not actually serve in a theatre of war.
No bars were issued, although the subject of battle clasps was considered in 1919 by both the Naval and Military committee. The idea was finally shelved on the ground of cost, but it is interesting that the final Admiralty proposals were approved by H.M. The King and printed in an Admiralty Order in 1920. This gave a substantial list of actions and operations, totalling 49 in all.

Victory Medal 1914 - 1918

This bronze medal was awarded to all who were awarded either of the Stars and, with few exceptions, to recipients of the British War Medal. Men who were mentioned in despatches were allowed to wear a bronze oak leaf on the ribbon. The obverse of the medal shows the winged, standing figure of Victory with a palm branch in her right hand and the reverse carries the inscription THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION 1914-1919 surrounded by a wreath. The ribbon is 1.55 in wide with a rainbow pattern with the colours merging; from the centre, outwards to each edge, they are red, yellow, green, blue and violet. The ribbon is threaded through a half-inch diameter ring which is held by a small loop sweated to the top of the medal. Naming is in faint, impressed capitals giving he recipient's number, rank, name and unit. But in the case of officers only the rank and name is given.

Silver War Badge or The Discharge Badge 1914-18

Sometimes known as the Silver War Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, this sterling silver lapel badge was first issued, along with an official certificate of entitlement, in 1916. It was intended to be worn in civilian clothes by service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness, and it was an offence to do so if not entitled. Prior to this it had been the practice of some misguided women at home to present white feathers to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform.

This badge, also known as the Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was given to wounded soldiers who were honourably discharged from the British armed services during World War I.

It was also given to officers and men who had been honourably discharged due to illness or reaching an upper age limit. It was neither a wound badge nor a medal. It took the form of a small silver badge that could be worn in the lapel of a jacket and was intended to protect the wearer against any suggestion that they had avoided service.

The Silver War Badge had an initial issue of around 355,000 between Sep 1916 and March 1918. These have plain numbers on the rear and are of better quality than subsequent stampings. A second series from March 1918 up to Sep 1918 took the numbers up to 450,000. A third series from Sep 1918 to Dec 1919 have a 'B' prefix and are numbered from 1 up to 450,000. From Dec 1919 to Jan 1920 about 5,000 were issued, with 'O' prefix. From Jan 1920 to Mar 1922 the series had plain numbers and ran from 450,000 to about 520,000. After 1 Apr 1918, RAF men were issued with badges prefixed RAF and over 10,000 were issued. The Royal Navy also had a separate series, prefixed 'RN' with at least 43,000 issued. As well as servicemen, civilians who served in the RAMC, female nurses, VADs, QMAAC staff, etc. were also awarded Silver War Badges, and some also appear to have been issued to Merchant Navy men.

The "SWB List" means the Silver War Badge List implying that he received a medical discharge.

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