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.