Summary

British War Medal 1914-1920 awarded to Lieut. Leslie Tweedie, service number 452, 16th Battalion, AIF.

Lientenant Tweedie was born in Ballarat and was a hotel clerk when he joined on 23 September 1914, aged 20 years, 11 months. He embarked on 22 December 1914 on the HMAT Ceramic, and served in Gallipoli from April 1915. In July 1915 he was transferred to Brigade HQ, Gallipoli, as Brigade clerk for 4th Infantry Brigade.

He first served as a Private; became a Corporal in August 1915, Staff Sergeant in January 1916, Warrant Officer in June 1916 and was 2nd Lieutenant by May 1917. By 1918 he was in France, and returned to Australia in October 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."

He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal 1917 and Military Cross 1919. Around 1925-26 his medals, which had been with his mother, were lost, In 1968 replacement medals were sent: the Military Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

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; 'LIEUT. L. TWEEDIE. A.I.F.'.

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