WWI British War Medal and 1914-15 Star

Along with the British WWI Victory Medal, I’d say these were the iconic WWI veteran’s medals of the British Empire. I originally purchased these to display with my British Victory medal, but have since picked up a trio named to the same individual.

The first is the British War Medal, which was awarded to service members who served in an active theater of war between August 1914 and November 1918. The medal was also given to soldiers serving In Russia and sailors clearing mines until 1920. In addition to members of the Armed forces, the Women’s Auxiliary and members of the British Red Cross and Order of St, John who had tended the wounded in theater were also eligible.

The Medal is silver. A bronze version was also minted for award to those who worked in Chinese and Indian Labor battalions. As with most British medals, the front shows the reigning monarch, in this case George V. The back shows a figure on horseback trampling a shield with a Germanic Eagle on it along with skull and crossbones at the bottom. It was designed by a veteran of the war, William McMillan, who also designed the victory medal. McMillan would have a long life as an important artist, and sadly at 90 years of age, he died of injuries caused when he was mugged on the street in 1977.

The edge of the medal is impressed to “PTE. J. MC GURK , H.L.I.” Private McGurk served in the Highland Light Infantry, arriving in France in March 1915. Later he served as a lance corporal in the Royal Defense Corps until 1919. He was also entitled to the 1914-15 Star.

The second medal is the 1914-15 Star. This medal was issued to members of the Armed forces who served in 1914 or 1915 who did not qualify for the 1914 star (for the 1914 star you had to be in France or Belgium before the end of the First Battle of Ypres 22 Nov 1914). The ribbon on this medal is unfortunately a modern replacement – it glows under a blacklight. The front bears a wreath and swords as well as the Royal Crown and cypher of George V. The reverse is blank except for the impressed name.

In this case the name impressed is “L. NK. PEHLWAN 46/PUNJABIS”. As usual, I can’t seem to find information on specific members of the British Indian Army. The “L. NK” part of the impression means he was a Lance Naik (Lance Corporal). During WWI, Germany along with the Ottoman Empire, attempted to foment rebellion in the mainly Muslim tribes against the British along the Northwest Frontier of British Colonial India. During 1914-15, the 46th Punjabis served there, and participated in the Mohmand Blockade, guarding against Mohmand Tribesmen from Afghanistan raiding into Peshwar (now in Pakistan)