Summary

George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935. Awarded to Dr Richard Herbert J. Fetherston (1864-1943). A total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

Dr. Richard Herbert Fetherston had previously served as a Captain with the Victorian Militia when he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914. He was officially 'taken up' on August 15, 1914 as the Director-General of Medical Services (DGMS). He was gazetted as a Colonel in 1915 and as Surgeon-General in 1916.

Although he had enlisted for active service, Richard was based in Melbourne throughout the war having been deemed 'indispensable' to Australia. Despite this, Richard was sent on two inspection tours of the Australian Army Medical Corps overseas and was responsible for the reorganisation of the corps.

Richard is commended in the Official History for his abilities and devotion to duty. Richard retired from military service in 1919.

According to the terms of his will, Richard's medals (and those of his father) were left to his two sons - Gerald and Herbert Fetherston. They were later donated to the National Gallery of Victoria and subsequently transferred into Museum Victoria's collection.

Physical Description

A silver medal with attached loop and ribbon. The obverse features conjoined half-length busts of King George V and Queen Mary wearing crowns and robes of state; around, GEORGE . V . AND . QUEEN . MARY . MAY . VI . MCMXXXV. The reverse has a crowned monogram GRI (Translation - George King and Emperor) with the dates of his reign at either side, MAY 6 1910 May 6 1935.

Obverse Description

Conjoined half-length busts of King George V and Queen Mary wearing crowns and robes of state; around, GEORGE . V . AND . QUEEN . MARY . MAY . VI . MCMXXXV.

Reverse Description

A crowned monogram GRI (Translation - George King and Emperor) with the dates of his reign at either side, MAY 6 1910 May 6 1935.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Awarded to Surg. Gen. Fetherston

85,234 Jubilee Medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

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