King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

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MEDAL INFORMATION

1914-1915 Star (5th Aug 1914 - 31 Dec 1915)

Face
A four pointed star, the top point being replaced by a crown.  Across the face of the star are two crossed swords, the points and handles of which form what might appear to be  four additional points.  Partly covering the swords are a wreath and, within it, a scroll bearing the dates ‘1914-15’.  Over the base of the wreath is the cipher ‘GV’.

Reverse
Flat and plain, except for the number, rank, name and regiment of the recipient impressed upon it.

Size
Approx. 44 mm wide and 62 mm long including the ring suspension.

Composition
Bronze.

Ribbon
Approx. 32mm wide.  From left to right as seen on the wearer the colours are red, white and blue shaded and watered.

Suspension
The ribbon passes through a ring, approx. 13mm in diameter which is integral with the piece - the whole being stamped out solid.

Naming
The number, rank, name and regiment of the recipient are stamped on the reverse in block capitals in three lines.  The style of lettering varies somewhat from medal to medal.

Awarded
The medal was authorised for award to all who served on the strength of a unit or service in any Theatre of War against the Central European Powers between 5th August 1914 and 31 December 1915, excepting those whose service qualified them for the 1914 Star.  It was not awarded to those who passed through a Theatre of War as a passenger or as a visitor on inspections.  Nor was it awarded to those who, between the relevant dates, only saw service for which the Sudan Medal (1910) or the Africa General Service Medal was awarded.  Those who served on the Indian Frontier between 28 November 1914 and 27 October 1915 did qualify, as no bar to the Indian General Service Medal was issued for operations there during that period.  Well over 2 million 1914-1915 Stars were issued, the vast majority to Army personnel.  As with the 1914 Star the 1914-15 Star was issued to women who served in the various Theatres of War as nurses, auxiliaries, ambulance drivers and the like.  The issue of the award was automatic.

The King’s Own
The 1st, 2nd, 1/4th, 1/5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions of The King’s Own were engaged in various Theatres of War before the end of 1915.  All of those who served in these Battalions up to that time, except those of the 1st Battalion who qualified for the 1914 Star, would qualify for the 1914-1915 Star.  It is difficult to estimate their numbers. Probably around 10000 men of the Regiment would qualify for this Star for service in France and Flanders, Gallipoli and Salonika.

1914-15 Stars in the museum's collection

1914-15 Star

Medals noted in records with the reference as King's Regulations for the Army (1912) Paragraph 1743 - are those medals which at the end of ten years still remain unclaimed and sent to the Deputy Director of Ordnance Stores, Royal Dockyard (Medal Branch) Woolwich to be broken up.

© 2013 Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum