Summary

Victory Medal 1914-1919 with ring mount and ribbon awarded to Mjr. Edmund (Ned) Francis Herring.
(The Victory Medal is the fifth medal from the left in the group.)

Born on 2 September 1892 at Maryborough, Victoria, Major Herring was one of the most renowned Australian senior officers in World War II. In September 1942 he became commander of New Guinea Force. He also served in World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. He was awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918, 'Victory Medal with mentioned in despatches Oak Leaf (Missing on this set)', 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 193-45, Australian War Service Medal 1939-45, King George V Jubilee Medal, Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, Efficiency Decoration, The War Cross 1940 - Greece, Distinguished Service Cross (Army) U.S.A.

Herring later served for 20 years as Victoria's Chief Justice, and was Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria for a record 27 years, retiring at the age of 80 in 1972. He was also Chancellor of the Diocese of Melbourne, was President of the Boy Scouts' Association of Victoria for 23 years and became President of the Australian Boy Scouts' Association. He died at Camberwell, Melbourne on 5 January 1982.

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.

Obverse Description

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

Text; 'MAJOR E.F. HERRING'.

More Information