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Advice on naval medals please anyone?

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Familyfinder

Familyfinder Report 13 Sep 2014 23:27

Does anyone know what naval meals were awarded during/after world war 1? I know there's a lot about the army medals -but cannot find out what my ancestor in RN would have been awarded. Can anybody help please?

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 13 Sep 2014 23:57

This was copied and pasted from Ancestry:-

Qualification for Naval Campaign Medals

The 1914 Star was authorized in April 1917 and awarded to those who served in France & Belgium on the strength of a unit, or service in either of those two countries between 5th August 1914 and midnight on 22/23 November 1914. Recipients of the 1914 Star automatically qualified for the British War & Victory Medals, but were ineligible for the 1914-15 Star.

The Clasp to the 1914 Star was sanctioned by King George V in October 1919, to be awarded to all who had been under fire in France or Belgium between 5 August 1914 and midnight on 22/23 November 1914.

The 1914-15 Star was authorized in 1918 and awarded to those who saw active service between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. Recipients of the 1914-15 Star automatically qualified for the British War and Victory Medals. Recipients of the 1914 Star were ineligible for the 1914-15 Star.

The British War Medal was authorized in 1919 to mark the end of the Great War. The Admiralty differed from the War Office in their allowance for qualification to the British War Medal. The Admiralty granted the issue of the British War Medal to all ranks who had completed 28 days' mobilised service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.

The War Office would only issue a British War Medal for UK Home Service in exceptional circumstances, such as the men killed in the German Battlecruiser bombardments on the East Coast in 1915. Normally, UK Home Service in the Army did not qualify. As a result of this 'kindness' on the part of the Admiralty, the Rolls were increased to a very large extent in listing those men entitled to the British War Medal only.

The Victory Medal was authorized in 1919 to commemorate the victory of the Allies over the Central Powers. It was awarded to all who embarked on active service at sea or on land in a Theatre of Operations between midnight 4/5 August 1914 and midnight 11/12 November 1918. Recipients of the Victory Medal automatically qualified for the British War Medal.

Those mentioned in despatches between 4 August 1914 and 10 August 1920 were entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf emblem on the ribbon of their Victory Medal. Only one oak leaf emblem could be worn on the ribbon, regardless of the number of times mentioned in despatches. For those mentioned in despatches but not entitled to the Victory Medal, the oak leaf emblem was worn on the ribbon of their British War Medal. For those mentioned in despatches but not entitled either the British War or Victory Medal, the oak leaf emblem was worn on their jacket.

Kath. x

Familyfinder

Familyfinder Report 17 Sep 2014 11:18

Thanks -gosh that's complicated. My ancestor -although being in the Navy continuously from 1892 -sadly lost his life 1 Nov 1914 at the battle of Coronel -so really not clear really what he would have received.. Might try a Naval museum for advice. Thanks for your help.