The Medals of WW1
The Campaign Medals
Soldiers who fought overseas in WW1 were entitled to one or more Campaign medals. Medals were automatically sent out to "other ranks", but commissioned officers (or their next of kin) had to apply for them (if they wanted to). Some of those who served in the Army did not serve overseas, so they did not receive a campaign medal. These were generally older men or those not considered fit enough for battle. Some were experienced soldiers who assisted in training recruits, guarded prisoners of war, etc. But there were also, for example, men who served in anti-aircraft units around the UK. They would not receive campaign medals unless they served overseas at some stage during the war, even if they engaged with enemy aircraft! This was because the UK itself was not considered to be a "Theatre of War" in WW1.
Campaign medals were also awarded to civilians who had served in theatres of war, usually as doctors or nurses, or others working for organisations such as the Red Cross.
British War Medal
This was awarded to British and Imperial forces who served overseas from the outbreak of war up to the Armistice of 11 November 1918 (or later for service in Siberia, etc).
The medal was also awarded to members of the Red Cross who had served in a Theatre of War.
This was the most commonly awarded British medal and over six million of them were awarded. This gives a good indication of the number of British and British Empire troops involved in the fighting overseas.
The Victory Medal
This medal was more restrictive than the War medal in terms of eligibility. It was only issued to those awarded the British War Medal and who had been part of a military unit that had engaged with the enemy in a theatre of war. Two examples of Bollington men who were awarded the British War Medal, but who did not receive the Victory Medal are:
Sgt John William Spooner served at Kirkee Garrison in India, which was not a theatre of war (although the garrison needed to be maintained).
Pte Joseph Bowden was killed when the troopship he was in was torpedoed and sunk while transporting reinforcement troops to Egypt. This may seem a rather strict interpretation of eligibility, but in the Army "Rules are Rules".
The 1914 Star Medal
This medal was only awarded to soldiers who fought in France and Flanders up until 22 November 1914 (the end of the 1st battle of Ypres).
The 1914-15 Star Medal
This medal looks similar to the 1914 Star except for the inscribed dates. It was awarded to those who served anywhere overseas up to the end of 1915 - but not to those who had already qualified for the 1914 Star.
The Territorial Force War Medal
This was awarded to men who were already serving in the Territorial Army when war broke out, and who subsequently served as part of the Regular Army up until the Armistice. But men who were eligible for a Star Medal usually received the Star Medal instead.
A person would only have been awarded one of these three medals:
Summary
Those who served overseas would have been awarded the British War Medal.
Most, but not all, of these would also have been awarded the Victory Medal
Only those who served in a theatre of war before the end of 1915 would have been awarded a Star Medal.
Silver War Badge
This was awarded to soldiers who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The badge was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement. Most Silver War badges were issued under the King's Regulations section 21 para (xvi) "No longer physically fit for war service."
There were 29 different ways in which someone could have been discharged under the King's Regulations section 21 (but these were not all "honourable" discharges!)
Territorial Efficiency Medal
This is not actually a Campaign Medal, nor even a War Medal, but a long service award and not specifically related to the War. However, a number of former Territorials were awarded it - as long as they had continuity of service before and during the war. It should not be confused with the Territorial Force War Medal (see above).
Gallantry Medals
Individuals serving in the military could receive awards for an act of bravery, gallantry or for meritorious service. These could range from being "mentioned in dispatches" (for which there was no actual medal) up to the Victoria Cross. A number of Bollington soldiers were awarded the Military Medal (pictured) and others were Mentioned in Dispatches. In most cases there is no public record of the citation explaining the reason for the award of a Military Medal. Reasons for being mentioned in dispatches can sometimes be found in Regimental diaries.
In 1920 those mentioned in dispatches were issued with a bronze oak leaf emblem that could be attached to the British War Medal ribbon.
In WW1 there was a distinction between the gallantry awards given to officers and to "other ranks". For example, the Military Cross was only awarded to officers, while the Military Medal (pictured) was the equivalent awarded to other ranks. There was a similar distinction between the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Flying Medal.
