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British War Medal, 1914-20: CM.1160-2009

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An image of British War Medal, 1914-20
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: George V (1910-36)
Artist: McMillan, William
Ruler: GEORGIUS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND IMP: (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

The Great War of 1914-1918 remains the bloodiest conflict in which Britain has ever been engaged. British casualties at Ypres and on the Somme from 1915 to 1918 outnumbered the entire British casualty list for the whole of the Second World War.
This medal was awarded to all members of the British Armed Forces who had fought in the War; some five million were issued. Because of the difficulty, in a conflict that had involved long-range artillery and air bombardment, of deciding eligibility for bars for individual battles, none of these were made. Unlike the Allied Victory Medal, this medal was also awarded to mobilised personnel who had not seen combat.
This example of the medal was awarded to Private F. Farrell of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Lester Watson bought it at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 34.18 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

1919 - 1920

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of George facing left

  • Text: GEORGIUS V BRITT. OMN: REX ET IND. IMP.
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: St George on horse trampling standards, with skull and crossbones beneath

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1160-2009
Primary reference Number: 141254
Watson Catalogue: 46
Ordering: M-0043
Previous object number: LW.0043

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "British War Medal, 1914-20" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141254 Accessed: 2025-12-07 15:26:17

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141254 |title=British War Medal, 1914-20 |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-07 15:26:17|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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