Summary

British War Medal 1914-1920. One of two medals awarded to Private David Petrie, who served in the British regiment the Gordon Highlanders (aka 'Gordons') - regimental number S/42500.

Private Petrie died as a pauper in Melbourne, and his medals were given to the Brunswick Police. They in turn donated them to the RSL, who transferred them to Museum Victoria in 1982.

According to information supplied by the Gordon Highlander's Museum, regimental numbers within the Gordons beginning with S/40,000 do not begin until September 1916. This series of regimental numer usually indicates that a soldier had transferred to the Gordons from another regiment or directly from training where he may have held a separate number. Petrie appears to have been in the latter category and his regimental number suggests that he joined the Gordons circa August-October, 1917. As his name does not appear on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or the Gordon Highlander's WWI Roll of Honour, he lived until at least 1921.

Further biographical and military information for Private David Petrie S/42500 is not available.The Gordon Highlanders raised 21 battalions in World War I, principally from Aberdeen and north-east Scotland.

According to the National Archives, 'The British War Medal 1914-1920, authorised in 1919, was awarded to eligible service personnel and civilians alike. Qualification for the award varied slightly according to service. The basic requirement for army personnel and civilians was that they either entered a theatre of war, or rendered approved service overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Service in Russia in 1919 and 1920 also qualified for the award.'

Obverse Description

Bare head of King George V facing left; text around, 'GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:'; the artist's initials 'B.M.' (Bertram MacKennal) are on the neck truncation.

Reverse Description

Naked figure of St. George on horseback advancing right trampling a shield bearing an eagle design and a skull and crossbone. Above, the sun; in the background, the ocean; text around, '1914 1918'.

Edge Description

Text; 'S-42 500 PTE. D. PETRIE. GORDONS.'.

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