1914 Star	1914-15 Star	British War Medal 1914-1920	Victory Medal 1914-1919

British and Commonwealth servicemen and servicewomen were awarded a wide variety of orders, medals and decorations for their service in the First World War. These included medals for gallantry, distinguished service and those bestowed by Allied governments. General service during the First World War was recognised by the issue of the 1914 Star (or the 1914-15 Star), the British War Medal 1914-1920 and the Victory Medal 1914-1919. These medals were issued in unprecedented numbers. Virtually all service personnel, and those civilians who served in an officially recognised organisation qualified for one of more of these medals.

The usual trio of awards, the 1914 Star (or the 1914-15 Star if appropriate) together with the two service medals became popularly known as 'Pip, Squeak and Wilfred' after characters in a Daily Mirror cartoon of the period.

General Summary: Nature and number of awards
Please see individual awards for often complex eligibility criteria.

The 1914 Star was awarded to members of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces, serving in France or Belgium on the establishment of a unit between 5 August 1914 and midnight on 22/23 November 1914.

• 1914 Stars 365,622
• 1914 Star Clasps 145,000

The 1914-15 Star was awarded to those who saw service in any theatre of war against the central powers between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 except those eligible for the 1914 Star.

• 1914-15 Stars 2,078,183

The British War Medal 1914-20 was issued to commemorate the successful conclusion of the war and awarded to those who had served in a theatre of war up to and including the official end of the war in 1920.

• British War Medals (silver) 6,500,000
• British War Medals (bronze) 110,000

The Victory Medal 1914-19 was issued in commemoration of the Allied victory, mostly to those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 (with some exceptions for later service).

• Victory Medal 5,725,000

Further Information

The Imperial War Museum does not hold the Medal Rolls for the First World War or the personal Service Records of members of HM Forces. For the availability of this material, you are advised to consult the information contained on the Public Record Office website.

See also the Family History Research at the Imperial War Museum.