VICTORY MEDAL (INTER-ALLIED WAR MEDAL)
1914-1918 Victory Medal
The medal was awarded to all ranks of the fighting forces, to civilians under contract, and others employed with military hospitals who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war between 05 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 (inclusive). It was also awarded to members of the British Naval mission to Russia 1919 - 1920 and for mine clearance in the North Sea between 11 November 1918 and 30 November 1919. This medal was never issued alone and was always issued with the British War Medal.

"Please note that the above is only a summary outline of the conditions that apply to this medal. Additional information and a list of qualifying areas of service are available from the Honours and Awards Section, Veterans Affairs Canada, 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4"

BARS

Only the Mentioned-in-Despatches multiple-leaved emblem is worn on this medal when it was awarded for WWI. There were no other bars.

DESCRIPTION

A circular, copper medal, lacquered bronze, 1.42 inches in diameter.

OBVERSE

The obverse shows the winged, full-length, full-front, figure of Victory, with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand.

REVERSE

The reverse shows the legend THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914 - 1919 in four lines, surrounded by a wreath, with dots below the words.

MOUNTING

A ring (0.5" diameter) passes through a loop fixed to the top of the medal. The ring moves forwards and backwards but not sideways.

RIBBON

The watered ribbon is 1.5 inches (39 mm) wide, and consists of nine coloured stripes: violet, blue, green, yellow, red (centre), yellow, green, blue, and violet.

DATES

The Inter-Allied War Medal was agreed to by all allies in March 1919. All medals were to be almost identical to obviate the need to exchange allied medals and each was patterned after a French medal of 1870. The medal was authorized in Britain (and for Canadians) on 01 September 1919.

ISSUED

There were 351,289 medals awarded to the CEF (of the 5,725,000 total issued), always with the VM.

NAMING

The recipient's name, number and rank are engraved on the rim for the first issue.

Source: Canadian Goverment, Department of Veterns Affaires

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This page last modified: August 30 2014 09:08:26