Summary

British War Medal 1914-1920 awarded to Cpl. Harry Watkins, service number 657, 5th Battalion, A.I.F.

Corporal Watkins address was listed as 12 Little Moray Street, Sth Melbourne. He was born in Newmarket, Melbourne, and was a labourer when he joined as a Private on 28 January 1914 in South Melbourne, aged 26 years . His wife was Mrs M. Watkins of 136 Cubitt Street, Richmond. It is possible they married in 1916 (Watkins next of kin prior to this was his mother). Watkins was in Egypt, then the Dardanelles in July 1915. He was injured at Anzac in August 1915 and hospitalised in Egypt. He rejoined his unit in February 1916 and was then in France in June 1916. He suffered from trench fever in May 1917 and in March 1918 went to England prior to his return to Australia. Corporal Watkins was discharged in August 1918.

"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; '657 CPL. H. WATKINS. 5/BN. A.I.F.'.

Significance

Awarded to: 657 CPL. H. WATKINS. 5/BN. A.I.F.
From National Archives of Australia; B2455 World War One service records:

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