- Time Period: The Great War
- Year of Institution: 26 July 1919
- Country: Great Britain, Australia
The 1914-1920 British War Medal (also known as ‘Squeak’) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.
The British War Medal was instituted on 1919 for those who had rendered service between 5 August 1914, the day following the British declaration of war against the German Empire, and the armistice of 11 November 1918. The British War Medal could be awarded to all officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had served for the prescribed period or who had died on active service before its completion.
The trio of First World War medals (the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal) were collectively referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, after comic strip characters that were popular in the immediate post-war era. Squeak represented the British War Medal.
Some 6,610,000 medals were awarded, 6,500,000 struck in silver and 110,000 struck in bronze. 427,993 medals were awarded to Canadians who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
The History of the Distinguished Service Cross
The medal is a silver or bronze disk, with a diameter of 36 millimeters and a straight clasp suspender without swivel. The medal was designed by W. McMillan and struck by the Royal Mint.
The recipient’s name, rank, service number and unit are impressed on the bottom edge of the medal.
The obverse shows an effigy of King George V facing left and the legend “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:”. The reverse shows Saint George naked on horseback and armed with a short sword.
Related Medals
The ‘Pip’, ‘Squeak’, and ‘Wilfred’ medals were British military decorations established during World War I. The Pip Squeak was the 1914 Star, the Wilfred was the British War Medal, and the Pip was the Victory Medal.
The 1914-15 Star
The 1914–15 Star is a British Empire campaign medal awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces during the First World War.
The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Great Britain)
The Victory Medal (also known as Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire First World War campaign medal.
The 1914 Star
The 1914 Star, ‘Mons’ Star or ‘Pip’ is a British Empire campaign medal instituted in 1917 and presented for service during World War I.
