Summary
Victory Medal 1914-1919 awarded to Leading Cook Reginald Edward Strickland Smith, service number 1721, of the Royal Australian Navy.
Smith was born on 31 July 1895 in Warracknabeal and his Next of Kin was St Heliers, Derby St, Kew. He joined the Navy on 1 June 1912, and served for seven years.
One of three World War I mounted medals engraved "1721 R.E.S. SMITH CKS MATE".
The medals comprise a 1914-15 Star; a British War Medal 1914-18 mounted on a Victory Medal ribbon; and a Victory Medal mounted on a War Medal ribbon.
The 1914-15 Star was authorised in 1918 to be awarded to those who saw service between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 (excluding those who were eligible for the 1914 Star) - 2,350,000 were issued.
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. A total of 350,000 British War Medals were issued.
The Victory Medal was authorised in 1919 and was awarded to army, navy and air force personnel who served in a theatre of war between midnight 4th-5th August 1914 and midnight 11th-12th November 1918. The Allies resolved that, if they wished to issue a Victory Medal, it would share a common feature of a depiction of Victory on the obverse and a ribbon of red, yellow, green, blue and violet merged into a rainbow pattern. This medal, that of Great Britain, was awarded to personnel from countries in the British Empire (some 5,725,000 were issued). The other Allied countries that issued Victory medals were: Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Thailand, Union of South Africa and the United States of America.
Physical Description
A bronze medal with ring mount for ribbon. The obverse features a figure of Victory facing three-quarters right with wings spread; in her right hand she holds a palm branch, her left hand is extended and open. The artist's initials, W.McM. (W. McMillan) are above the ground line on the right. The reverse has the words, THE GREAT . WAR FOR . CIVILISATION 1914 - 1919 within a circular wreath of laurel. The edge is impressed in block capitals: 1721 R.E.S. SMITH CKS. MTE. R.A.N.
Obverse Description
A figure of Victory facing three-quarters right with wings spread; in her right hand she holds a palm branch, her left hand is extended and open. The artist's initials, W.McM. (W. McMillan) are above the ground line on the right.
Reverse Description
The words, THE GREAT . WAR FOR . CIVILISATION 1914 - 1919 within a circular wreath of laurel.
Edge Description
1721 R.E.S. SMITH CKS. MTE. R.A.N.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation & Subsequent Transfer from Mrs M. Smith
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Date Issued
1919 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Artist
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Awarded To
Reginald Edward Strickland Smith - Royal Australian Navy, Australia
1721 R.E.S. Smith, Cook's Mate, R.A.N. -
Inscriptions
W.McM. (W. McMillan) THE GREAT . WAR FOR . CIVILISATION 1914 - 1919 1721 R.E.S. SMITH CKS. MTE. R.A.N.
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Material
Bronze
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
50 mm (Height), 36 mm (Outside Diameter)
Victory Medal only. Height to top of loop.
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Shape
Round with loop and ribbon
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References
References: National Archives, UK website: [Link 1]
[Book] Joslin, E C., et al. 1988. British Battles and Medals., 230 - 1 Pages
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Keywords