- Time Period: The Great War
- Year of Institution: 1917
- Country: Great Britain, Australia
The 1914 Star (also known as the ‘Mons’ Star) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.
The 1914 Star was instituted in 1917 and awarded to the officers and men of the British forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight on the 22/23 November 1914 (the day after Britain’s declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres).
The majority of recipients were officers and men of the pre-war British army, specifically the British Expeditionary Force (the ‘Old Contemptibles’), who landed in France soon after the outbreak of the war and who took part in the retreat from Mons.
The 1914 Star Design
The medal is a four-pointed star of bright bronze, ensigned with a crown, with a height of 50 millimeters (2.0 in) and a width of 44 millimeters (1.7 in). The obverse has two crossed gladii (swords) with their blades upwards. The reverse is plain and is impressed with the recipient’s number, rank, name and regiment or unit.
About 365,622 medals were awarded. In most instances, recipients of this medal also received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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 1914-1920 British War Medal
The 1914-1920 British War Medal (also known as ‘Squeak’) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.
