British War Medal

Award

British War Medal

Type| Campaign medal
Awarded for| Campaign service
Country|  United Kingdom
Presented by| the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India
Eligibility| British and Imperial forces
Campaign(s)| First World War
Established| 26 July 1919
Total| 6,500,000 silver[1]
110,000 bronze[1]

Ribbon bar

Precedence
Next (higher)| 1914–15 Star
Next (lower)| Victory Medal (United Kingdom)
Victory Medal (South Africa)

The British War Medal is a campaign medal of the United Kingdom which was awarded to officers and men and women of British and Imperial forces for service in the First World War. Two versions of the medal were produced. About 6.5 million were struck in silver and 110,000 in bronze, the latter awarded to, among others, the Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps.[2]

## Institution

[edit]

The British War Medal was instituted on 26 July 1919 for award to those who had rendered service between 5 August 1914, the day following the British declaration of war against the German Empire, and the armistice of 11 November 1918, both dates inclusive.[3] Consideration was given to the award of clasps to commemorate certain battles and theatres of operations and some 68 clasps were proposed for Naval recipients[4] and 79 for the Army.[5][6] While the Naval clasps were authorised, and printed in Admiralty Weekly Order 2051 of August 1920, none were awarded[7] and the idea was abandoned in 1923 on the grounds of excessive cost.[2][8][9][10]

## Award criteria

[edit]

The British War Medal was awarded to all officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had served for a prescribed period during any stage of the war, or who had died on active service before the completion of this period. Eligibility was subsequently extended to cover service in 1919 and 1920 in mine-clearing at sea as well as participation in operations in North and South Russia, the eastern Baltic region, Siberia, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, during the allied intervention in the Russian Civil War.[8][9][11]

### Navy

[edit]

For the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Dominion and Colonial naval forces, the criteria were 28 days mobilised service, without a requirement for overseas service. The medal was presented to the next-of-kin of all casualties, including those who were killed before the completion of this 28 days period. The medal was also awarded, with the same criteria, to members of the Women's Royal Naval Service, to members of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service and Royal Naval Nursing Service Reserve, and to a number of non-Naval personnel who served on Royal Navy ships, such as canteen and medical staff. This was communicated via Admiralty Monthly Order 3973 of 1919.[8]

### Army

[edit]

Officers and men of the British Army, including Dominion and Colonial forces, were required to have either entered an active theatre of war or to have left the United Kingdom for service overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, and to have completed 28 days mobilised service. The medal was also awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of the prescribed period. The same criteria for eligibility were applied to members of the Women's Auxiliary Forces and staff of officially recognised military hospitals and members of recognised organisations such as the British Red Cross and the Order of Saint John who actually tended the sick and wounded. This was communicated via Army Order 266 of 1919.[8]

### Air Force

[edit]

For the Air Forces, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps which were amalgamated into the new Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, eligibility was broadly the same as for the British Army. It required overseas service, but members of the Air Forces who had seen combat whilst based in the United Kingdom, who had ferried aircraft to France or who had served on ships carrying aircraft were eligible for the award of the medal. This was communicated via Air Ministry Weekly Order 888 dated 7 August 1919.[8]

### Mercantile Marine

[edit]

Merchant seamen qualified for the British War Medal in addition to the Mercantile Marine War Medal if they served at sea for not less than six months between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, or had undertaken one or more voyages through a danger zone. There was no minimum qualifying period for those killed or disabled by enemy action or taken prisoner. Men who served in coastal trades, such as pilots, fishermen and lightship and post office cable ship crews could also qualify.[8]

## Description

[edit]

The medal, struck by the Royal Mint, is a silver or bronze disk, 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter, with a straight clasp suspender without swivel.[2]

Obverse

The obverse shows Sir Bertram Mackennal's bareheaded effigy of King George V facing left, with the legend "GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:" (George V, King of all the British Isles and Emperor of India).[2]

Reverse

The reverse, designed by William McMillan, shows Saint George naked on horseback and armed with a short sword, an allegory of the physical and mental strength which achieved victory over Prussianism. The horse tramples on the Prussian eagle shield and the emblems of death, a skull and cross-bones. In the background are ocean waves and just off-centre near the right upper rim is the risen sun of Victory. The years "1914" and "1918" appear on the perimeter in the left and right fields respectively.[2][9][12]

Naming

The recipient's name, rank, service number and unit are impressed on the bottom edge of the medal.[2] On medals awarded to Army officers, with the exception of the Royal Artillery, the name of the regiment or corps was omitted.[13] No ship name is given for naval personnel, with the exception of medals to New Zealand personnel.[2]

Ribbon

The watered silk ribbon is 32 millimetres (1.25 in) wide, with a 3 millimetres wide royal blue band, a 2 millimetres wide black band and a 3 millimetres wide white band, repeated in reverse order and separated by a 16 millimetres wide orange band. The colours are not thought to have any particular symbolic significance.[9][12]

## Recipients

[edit]

While all recipients of the 1914 Star, 1914–15 Star and Victory Medal qualified for the British War Medal, the British War Medal could be awarded alone, for example to members of the Royal Navy who were mobilised for 28 days but who did not proceed into a war zone,[14] and to British soldiers who rendered service overseas but not in a theatre of war,[2] including garrison duty in India.

Some 6,610,000 medals were awarded, 6,500,000 struck in silver and 110,000 in bronze.[1] The bronze medals were awarded to the Chinese, Maltese, Egyptian, Indian and other Labour Corps, the Macedonian Mule Corps and to other native personnel mobilised for war service and who received military rates of pay.[2][9][15]

Altogether 427,993 medals were awarded to Canadians who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.[10]

## Nicknames

[edit]

The trio of First World War medals, either one of the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, were collectively irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, after three comic strip characters, a dog, a penguin and a rabbit, which were popular in the immediate post-war era. Pip represented either of the two Stars, Squeak represented the British War Medal and Wilfred represented the Victory Medal.[12][16][17]

Similarly, when only the British War Medal and Victory Medal are worn together, they are referred to as the Mutt and Jeff pair.[17]

## Order of wear

[edit]

The order of wear of the First World War campaign stars and medals is as follows:[18]

* The 1914 Star.
* The 1914–15 Star.
* The British War Medal.
* The Mercantile Marine War Medal.
* The Victory Medal (United Kingdom).
* The Territorial War Medal.

### South Africa

[edit]

Main article: South African military decorations order of wear § Order of wear

On 6 April 1952 the Union of South Africa instituted its own range of military decorations and medals. These new awards were worn before all earlier British decorations and medals awarded to South Africans, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, which still took precedence before all other awards. Of the First World War campaign medals applicable to South Africans, the British War Medal takes precedence as shown.[18][19][20]

* Preceded by the 1914–15 Star.
* Succeeded by the Victory Medal (South Africa).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Estimates of the number awarded vary. For example the Orders & Medals Research Society Journal of September 2016, page 211, indicates the issue of some 6,100,000 silver and 251,000 bronze medals.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hayward; Birch; Bishop (2006). British Battles and Medals (7th ed.). London: Spink. pp. 504–507\. ISBN 1-902040-77-5.
3. ^ The National Archives – British Army medal index cards 1914–1920 (Access date 24 June 2018)
4. ^ Williamson 2014, pp. 900–903.
5. ^ Williamson 2014, pp. 896–899.
6. ^ Williamson 2011, pp. 80–81.
7. ^ Dorling & Guille 1963, pp. 82–89.
8. ^ a b c d e f Dorling & Guille 1963, pp. 80–82.
9. ^ a b c d e New Zealand Defence Force – British Commonwealth campaign medals awarded to New Zealanders – The British War Medal Archived 15 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Access date 29 March 2015)
10. ^ a b Veterans Affairs Canada – British War Medal(Access date 29 March 2015) Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ Mussell 2014, p. 178.
12. ^ a b c "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred". The Long, Long Trail. Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
13. ^ Imperial War Museum – British First World War Service Medals (Access date 24 June 2018)
14. ^ Imperial War Museum – Medal Records 1914–1920 (Access date 29 March 2015)
15. ^ Heraclidou, Antigone (2014). "Cyprus's Non-military Contribution to the Allied War Effort during World War I". The Round Table. 103 (2). Taylor & Francis: 193–200\. doi:10.1080/00358533.2014.898502. S2CID 155685681.
16. ^ "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred". First World War.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
17. ^ a b The Great War 1914–1918 – A Guide to British Campaign Medals of WW1
18. ^ a b "No. 38663". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 July 1949. p. 3404.
19. ^ Government Notice no. 1982 of 1 October 1954 – Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations and Medals, published in the Government Gazette of 1 October 1954.
20. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981

## External links

[edit]

* The British War Medal on the UK Parliament website
* Transcription of Admiralty and Military orders for the BWM hosted on the Australian DoD website

## Bibliography

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British War Medal.

* Dorling, H. Taprell; Guille, Lionel F. (1963). Ribbons and Medals. London: George Philip. OCLC 993415265.
* Hayward; Birch; Bishop (2006). British Battles and Medals (7th ed.). London: Spink. ISBN 1-902040-77-5.
* Joslin; Litherland; Simpkin (1988). British Battles and Medals (6th ed.). London: Spink. ISBN 0-907605-25-7.
* Mussell, John, ed. (20 September 2014). Medal Yearbook 2015. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-908828-17-0.
* Williamson, Howard J. (2011). The Great War Medal Collectors Companion Volume I (1st ed.). privately published by Anne Williamson. ISBN 978-0-9527544-4-2. "The book includes: – Campaign Medals. Full history of each medal, including Army Orders, Army Council Instructions & award criteria."
* Williamson, Howard J. (2014). The Great War Medal Collectors Companion Volume II. privately published by Anne Williamson. ISBN 978-0-9527544-5-9.

* v
* t
* e

British campaign medals

18th century|

* Naval General Service Medal (1793–1840)
* Naval Gold Medal (1793–1815)
* Military General Service Medal (1793–1814)

19th century|

* Army of India Medal (1803–26)
* Army Gold Cross/Army Gold Medal (1806–14)
* Waterloo Medal (1815)
* South Africa Medal (1834–6, 1846–7, 1850–3)
* Ghuznee Medal (1839)
* First China War Medal (1839–42)
* Jellalabad Medals (1841–2)
* Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal (1842)
* Medal for the Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie (1842)
* Scinde Medal (1843)
* Gwalior Star (1843)
* Sutlej Medal (1845–6)
* New Zealand Medal (1845–7, 1860–6)
* Punjab Medal (1848–9)
* India General Service Medal (1852–95)
* Baltic Medal (1854–5)
* Crimean War Medal (1854–6)
* Indian Mutiny Medal (1857–8)
* Second China War Medal (1857–60)
* Canada General Service Medal (1866–70)
* Abyssinian War Medal (1867–8)
* Ashantee Medal (1873–4)
* South Africa Medal (1877–9)
* Afghanistan Medal (1878–80)
* Kabul to Kandahar Star (1880)
* Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal (1880–1, 1896–7)
* Egypt Medal (1882–9)
* Royal Niger Company Medal (1886–97)
* North West Canada Medal (1885)
* East and West Africa Medal (1887–1900)
* British South Africa Company Medal (1890–7)
* Central Africa Medal (1891–8)
* India Medal (1895–1902)
* Ashanti Star (1895–6)
* Queen's Sudan Medal (1896–8)
* East and Central Africa Medal (1897–9)
* Queen's South Africa Medal (1899–1902)
* Queen's Mediterranean Medal (1899–1902)
* Transport Medal (1899–1902)
* China War Medal (1900)
* Ashanti Medal (1900)

20th century
pre-First World War|

* King's South Africa Medal (1902)
* Africa General Service Medal (1902–56)
* Tibet Medal (1905)
* Natal Native Rebellion Medal (1906)
* India General Service Medal (1909)

First World War|

* 1914 Star
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* Victory Medal (United Kingdom)
* Victory Medal (South Africa)
* Territorial War Medal

Inter-World Wars|

* Naval General Service Medal (1915)
* General Service Medal (1918)
* India General Service Medal (1936)

Second World War|

* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal 1939–1945
* Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
* Africa Service Medal
* India Service Medal
* New Zealand War Service Medal
* Australia Service Medal
* Southern Rhodesia Service Medal

Post-Second World War|

* Korea Medal (1951)
* Nuclear Test Medal (1952)
* General Service Medal (1962)
* Rhodesia Medal (1980)
* South Atlantic Medal (1982)
* Gulf Medal (1992)

21st century|

* OSM for Sierra Leone (2000)
* OSM for Afghanistan (2002)
* OSM for Democratic Republic of Congo (2003)
* Iraq Medal (2004)
* Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal (2004)
* Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) (2011)
* Ebola Medal (2015)
* General Service Medal (2008) (2015)
* OSM for Iraq & Syria (2017)
* Humanitarian Medal (2023)
* Wider Service Medal (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Australian campaign medals

See also
Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

Mahdist War|

* Egypt Medal (1882–89)

Second Boer War|

* Queen's South Africa Medal (1899–1902)
* King's South Africa Medal (1902)

Boxer Rebellion|

* China War Medal (1900)

World War I|

* 1914 Star
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* Victory Medal

General Service|

* Naval General Service Medal 1915–62
* General Service Medal 1918–62

World War II|

* 1939–45 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Arctic Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal, 1939–45
* Australia Service Medal 1939–45

1945–1975|

* Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
* Korea Medal (1950–53)
* United Nations Service Medal for Korea (1950–53)
* Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–56)
* General Service Medal 1962 (1962–1975)
* Vietnam Medal (1964–73)
* Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–73)
* Australian Service Medal 1945–1975

1975–2012|

* Australian Active Service Medal (1975–2012)
* International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000)
* Afghanistan Medal (2001–14)
* Iraq Medal (2003–13)
* Australian Service Medal (1975–2012)
* Rhodesia Medal (1979–80)

2012–|

* Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific (2025–)

* v
* t
* e

New Zealand campaign medals

19th century|

* New Zealand War Medal

Second Boer War|

* Queen's South Africa Medal
* King's South Africa Medal

World War I|

* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Victory Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal

World War II|

* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal
* New Zealand War Service Medal (1939–45)

General Service|

* Naval General Service Medal (1915–62)
* General Service Medal (1918–62)
* General Service Medal (1962–2003)
* New Zealand Operational Service Medal (1945–present)

Post-World War II|

* New Zealand Service Medal 1946–1949 (1946–49)
* Korea Medal (1950–53)
* Vietnam Medal (1964–73)
* Rhodesia Medal (1979–1980)
* New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) (1956–1991)
* New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) (1954–present)
* East Timor Medal (1999–2006)

21st century|

* NZGSM 2002 (Solomon Islands)(2000–2013)
* NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan) – Primary Operations Area (2001–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan) – Secondary Operations Area (2001–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Iraq 2003) (2003–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Timor-Leste) (2006–2012)
* NZGSM 2002 (Korea) (2001–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Counter-Piracy) (2009–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Iraq 2015) (2014–present)
* NZGSM 2002 (Greater Middle East) (2014–present)

Special service|

* New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) (1956–1973)
* New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) (1979–1980)
* New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) (2004–2005)

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* t
* e

South African military decorations and medals

Sorted in order of wear per era or 1994 constituent force

Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952|

* Victoria Cross
* Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
* Distinguished Service Order
* Distinguished Service Cross
* Military Cross
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Distinguished Conduct Medal
* Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
* Distinguished Service Medal
* Military Medal
* Distinguished Flying Medal
* Air Force Medal
* British Empire Medal (Military)
* South Africa Medal (1853)
* South Africa Medal (1880)
* Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
* Queen's South Africa Medal
* Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
* Lint voor Verwonding
* King's South Africa Medal
* Natal Native Rebellion Medal
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Victory Medal (South Africa)
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal
* Africa Service Medal
* King George V Coronation Medal
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
* King George VI Coronation Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
* Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
* Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
* Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
* Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
* Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
* Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
* Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
* Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
* Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
* Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
* Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
* Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
* Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
* Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
* Air Efficiency Award
* King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
* Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
* South African Medal for War Services
* Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
* Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
* Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
* Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)

1952–1994|

* Honoris Crux Gold
* Star of South Africa, Gold
* Star of South Africa, Silver
* Star of South Africa (1952)
* Louw Wepener Decoration
* Honoris Crux (1952)
* Honoris Crux Silver
* Van Riebeeck Decoration
* Honoris Crux (1975)
* Pro Virtute Decoration
* Southern Cross Decoration
* Pro Merito Decoration
* Van Riebeeck Medal
* Louw Wepener Medal
* Ad Astra Decoration
* Army Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Navy Cross
* Medical Service Cross
* Southern Cross Medal (1952)
* Pro Merito Medal (1967)
* Southern Cross Medal (1975)
* Pro Merito Medal (1975)
* Danie Theron Medal
* Jack Hindon Medal
* Military Merit Medal
* Korea Medal
* Pro Patria Medal
* Southern Africa Medal
* General Service Medal (South Africa)
* Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
* Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
* Good Service Medal, Gold
* John Chard Decoration
* De Wet Decoration
* Cadet Corps Medal
* Good Service Medal, Silver
* Union Medal
* Permanent Force Good Service Medal
* John Chard Medal
* Good Service Medal, Bronze
* De Wet Medal
* Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
* Commandant General's Medal
* SADF Champion Shot Medal
* National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal

Transkei|

* Cross for Bravery
* Transkei Defence Force Medal
* Independence Medal (Transkei)
* Military Rule Medal
* Faithful Service Medal

Bophuthatswana|

* Order of the Leopard, Commander
* Distinguished Gallantry Cross
* Defence Force Merit Decoration
* Distinguished Gallantry Medal
* Defence Force Merit Medal
* Marumo Medal, Class I
* Defence Force Commendation Medal
* Marumo Medal, Class II
* Nkwe Medal
* General Service Medal
* Independence Medal
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
* State President's Medal for Shooting

Venda|

* Gallantry Cross, Gold
* Gallantry Cross, Silver
* Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
* Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
* Venda Defence Force Medal
* General Service Medal (Venda)
* Independence Medal (Venda)
* Long Service Medal, Gold
* Long Service Medal, Silver
* Long Service Medal, Bronze

Ciskei|

* Sandile Decoration
* Sandile Medal
* Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal
* Ciskei Defence Medal
* Independence Medal (Ciskei)
* Medal for Long Service, Bronze
* President's Medal for Shooting

Umkhonto
we Sizwe|

* Star for Bravery in Gold
* Star for Bravery in Silver
* Conspicuous Leadership Star
* Decoration for Merit in Gold
* Merit Medal in Silver
* Merit Medal in Bronze
* Operational Medal for Southern Africa
* South Africa Service Medal
* Service Medal in Gold
* Service Medal in Silver
* Service Medal in Bronze

Azanian People's
Liberation Army|

* Gold Star for Bravery
* Bravery Star in Silver
* Star for Conspicuous Leadership
* Gold Decoration for Merit
* Silver Medal for Merit
* Bronze Medal for Merit
* Operational Medal for Southern Africa
* South Africa Service Medal
* Gold Service Medal
* Silver Service Medal
* Bronze Service Medal

From 1994|

* Nkwe ya Gauta
* Nkwe ya Selefera
* iPhrothiya yeGolide
* Nkwe ya Boronse
* iPhrothiya yeSiliva
* iPhrothiya yeBhronzi
* Tshumelo Ikatelaho
* Unitas Medal
* Closure Commemoration Medal
* Medalje vir Troue Diens

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