Summary

British War Medal 1914-1920 awarded to Pte. Alfred Sanderson Skilbeck, service number 2190, 26th Battalion, A.I.F.

Private Skilbeck was born in Bendigo. He was a miner when he joined on 19 September 1915 in Claremont, Tasmania aged 22 years. Skilbeck embarked from Brisbane (Skilback on roll) on 20 September 1915 on the HMAT Armadale. In 1916 he was in Egypt. He had leave in May 1917 and was in France where he had gonorrhea shortly after and was treated several times. He rejoined his battalion in September 1917 and was discharged in 1919 as medically unfit. In 1923 he was residing at 162 Pearson St, West Brunswick.

"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; '2190 PTE. A.S. SKILBECK. 26 BN. A.I.F.'.

More Information