General Chat

Can anyone answer a question for me regarding the 1914-18 medal rolls. Does the fact that a person was awarded both trhe British and Victory campaign medals in 1919 indicate that that person survived the war - or were they ever awarded posthumously?

This doesn't actually answer your question but a good site for info about medals is: http://www.westernfront.* co.uk/thegreatwar/articles/factsandfigures/campaignmedals.htm

Thanks Bob - useful site but as you say no help for my question!

Hi Don't know if this helps but it's from the BBC family history pages. The Victory The medal was issued in bronze to all those who served in a theatre of war between 5th August 1914 and 11 November 1918. It was never issued singly, but always with the British War Medal. Anyone mentioned in dispatches (ie mentioned by name in a dispatch from a Commander in a theatre of war or at home, and published in The London Gazette) wore an oak leaf on the ribbon of this medal. The style of naming is similar to the British War Medal (small upright capitals), and the details are normally identical to the naming on that medal. Unfortunately doesn't say if it was awarded posthumously. Regards Ann

My guess is that there were so many of them issued that some must have been posthumous - even if by mistake. Many recipients will have died during the period between being nominated and receiving the medals and I think they were posted out anyway.

Thanks Anne - useful background info. Bob - thats not what I want to hear! - I'm trying to prove that my man survived the war....