WW1 medal & coin mystery
Discussion
Sorry if wrong forum mods, but it seemed like the most likely place.
Going through the grandad's war stuff. Got the 1914 Christmas box, the three campaign medals, and a couple of extra bits which are causing some confusion.
One is what appears to be a 1914 star...but it's about half the size of the 1914-15 one, and has nothing on the back. Otherwise it looks correct in every detail. He also didn't serve until 1915. Imy assuming that this is some sort of replica, but can't find anything about it:
(Shown with the 1914-15 star for scale)
Going through the grandad's war stuff. Got the 1914 Christmas box, the three campaign medals, and a couple of extra bits which are causing some confusion.
One is what appears to be a 1914 star...but it's about half the size of the 1914-15 one, and has nothing on the back. Otherwise it looks correct in every detail. He also didn't serve until 1915. Imy assuming that this is some sort of replica, but can't find anything about it:
(Shown with the 1914-15 star for scale)
CrutyRammers said:
Sorry if wrong forum mods, but it seemed like the most likely place.
Going through the grandad's war stuff. Got the 1914 Christmas box, the three campaign medals, and a couple of extra bits which are causing some confusion.
One is what appears to be a 1914 star...but it's about half the size of the 1914-15 one, and has nothing on the back. Otherwise it looks correct in every detail. He also didn't serve until 1915. Imy assuming that this is some sort of replica, but can't find anything about it:
(Shown with the 1914-15 star for scale)
Looks like a "mess dress" miniature 1914 Star (aka: Mons Star).Going through the grandad's war stuff. Got the 1914 Christmas box, the three campaign medals, and a couple of extra bits which are causing some confusion.
One is what appears to be a 1914 star...but it's about half the size of the 1914-15 one, and has nothing on the back. Otherwise it looks correct in every detail. He also didn't serve until 1915. Imy assuming that this is some sort of replica, but can't find anything about it:
(Shown with the 1914-15 star for scale)
Instituted in 1917 and awarded to personnel who had served in France & Belgium between 5th August to 22nd November 1914.The bulk of the awards were to members of "The Old Contemptibles" , the members of the BEF who first landed in France, and who were involved in the retreat from Mons, hence the unofficial name for the medal.
A couple of images of the medal (and the "service under fire" clasp) in full size groups...
Under modern medal rules, the rosette on the Mons Star is displayed incorrectly. It should go on the ribbon attached to the uniform only. It signifies that the wearer is entitled to display the date clasp on the medal, and so shouldn't be on the medal ribbon with the clasp. The medal on the right hand side is a Long Service And Good Conduct (aka: Long Socks And Good Creases) medal. Still issued today on the same colour ribbon (but with HM QE2's face on it, obviously) for 18 years of unblemished service for other ranks.
The big difference between the Mons Star and the 1914-1915 Star are the qualifying dates, as shown on the front. Not unusual for miniatures to be without any personal details engraved on the rear, as they are not "official issue" and bought by the individual. So if you lost a set of miniatures, it's not a big deal to buy a new set, whereas if you lost your full size medals you could apply to get a replacement set, but they'd be without your name/rank/number engraved on them. Recipients of the 1914 Star were not eligible for the 1914-15 Star, and vice versa - it was "one or the other, not both".
CrutyRammers said:
Secondly, a cutaway coin. Nicely done, but what coin is it? It has "1 shilling 1887" on the reverse, but doesn't look to be a British one. He served in gallipoli, Egypt, mesopotamia and was invalided to India, before serving in hospitals in salonica.
It's a South African (ZAR) coin from the time between the First Boer War (16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881) and the Second Boer War (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902). The pipe and hat have been added to the image on the obverse of the coin...
...which (I think) makes it likely that it's some form of "trench art" piece from the second Boer War.
ETA: Google "boer war trench art coin" and there are plenty of other examples of similar 'alterations' to coins, but yours, OP, looks like a particularly well executed piece of work.
Edited by yellowjack on Sunday 24th December 20:49
CrutyRammers said:
And thirdly, what are these? Uniform flashes?
They are "Wound Stripes".
Issued from around 1916 to troops returning home from the front for treatment. Worn on the left forearm, with additional stripes for additional wounds. Kind of related to the American 'Purple Heart' I suppose. Quite possibly introduced to deflect unwanted negative attention from harridans hounding men who weren't at the front. I think perhaps they were to be worn with "civvies" because a lot of men of fighting age who weren't at the front or obviously in uniform got a hard time. "Hospital Blues"...
...were introduced for soldiers convalescing in UK hospitals. I have a feeling the bronze wound stripes were meant for those who were invalided out of the army, and consequently no longer in uniform..
No similar 'award' is issued in the modern army. The last time 'wound stripes' were issued was WW2 as far as I'm aware.
Rammers old bean, have a shufty at this https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk
If you join but don’t pay immediately you will get emails offering better and better conditions. Im still waiting for the email saying they will pay me but it must’ve got lost or delayed.
It’s something I’m going to be doing for my family members that fought for king and country.
It was put up on another thread by a PH’er whose name I can’t remember but much appreciated.
If you do find something out it would be nice to hear about it.
If you join but don’t pay immediately you will get emails offering better and better conditions. Im still waiting for the email saying they will pay me but it must’ve got lost or delayed.
It’s something I’m going to be doing for my family members that fought for king and country.
It was put up on another thread by a PH’er whose name I can’t remember but much appreciated.
If you do find something out it would be nice to hear about it.
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