The contents of this display case are known as Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund 1914. In October 1914 Princess Mary, the 17 year-old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, launched an appeal to raise funds to produce a Christmas present for every person serving in the British and Allied Forces in World War One. The Christmas box was a silver one for officers and a brass one for other ranks. The box usually contained a packet of cigarettes and tobacco, a Christmas card and a photograph of Princess Mary but some boxes contained confectionery, notebooks, pencils etc. By Christmas 1914 200,000 boxes had been distributed but it took until 1920 to dispose of the 2,500,000 boxes that were produced. Many of the boxes given to Australian servicemen have survived but few contain any or all of the contents. It is not known to whom this box was sent. This box and its contents are of great interest as an important memento of Australian participation in World War One. This is a rectangular brass tin and its contents – two yellow cardboard boxes which originally held cigarettes and tobacco, a Christmas card and a photograph of Princess Mary. The five items are displayed within a rectangular wooden box with a removable glass top. The brass tin is embossed with an image in the centre of Princess Mary surrounded by a laurel wreath. The embossing includes the letter ‘M’ (twice) and the names of some of the allies of Britain in World War One. Christmas Card: ‘With Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year from The Princess Mary and Friends at Home’ Cigarettes and Tobacco Boxes: ‘Her Royal Highness The Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund 1914’. warrnambool and world war one, princess mary’s christmas fund 1914

This is a standard British Army Pigeon Service Message Book which was issued to Australian Army units during World War One. This Pigeon Service Message Book has no known local provenance but it is a very interesting memento of World War One.This is a British Army Pigeon Service Message Book which consists of a number of sheets of paper stapled into a cardboard cover protected with black leatherette. The writing on the front cover is stencilled in white. The ends of the cover are held together by a black elastic strap. The strap has now lost its elasticity. Inside the front cover is a printed sheet indicating the use of the book and the care of the pigeons. There are two leatherette tubes attached to the back cover which would have held writing implements. The book material consists of a top sheet printed with space for the message details, and sheets of carbon paper for two copies of the message. There is a piece of cardboard backing the carbon paper. None of the message pages has been used. The staples have rusted and the sides of the paper material are stained. The cover is a little crumpled and dirty. ‘Army Book 418’ ‘Pigeon Service Message Book’ world war one, british army pigeon service message book

This 1901 history of the Boer War is written from the British perspective and the writing is so emotionally-charged that it reads like a story from a Boys Only Annual. The owner was James Fidler, presumably the eldest son of Thomas and Fanny Fidler who arrived in Melbourne in 1849. They lived on a property called Grange in Panmure with the homestead called Maida Hill. Thomas Fidler owned butchers’ shops in Warrnambool and Panmure. James Fidler was born in 1850 and died in 1929. This book is of interest because it was owned by James Fidler whose family was a prominent one in Warrnambool and Panmure in the 19th century. The book is also useful for researching the Boer War, a conflict in which many Warrnambool and district men took an active part. This is a hard cover book of 1554 pages. There are several pages at the end listing other books published by Cassell and Company. There are 127 chapters and an index. There are many black and white illustrations and several full-page colour plates. The inscriptions are handwritten in black ink. ‘James Fidler Panmure’ ‘James Fidler’ boer war, history of warrnambool, fidler family of panmure.

This container is a piece of trench art. It has been made in 1917 in World War One. The container is made from a 4.5 inches Howitzer shell. The 4.5 Howitzers were British artillery units made with a short barrel and used to fire missiles over a high trajectory. It is probable that the container was made by an Australian soldier while on active service overseas during World War One. This container has no known local provenance but it is a very interesting and attractive piece of World War One trench art. This is a heavy brass container made from a Howitzer shell. The container is round with four-leaf clover –type patterns on the side and three round knobs welded on to the bottom to give it a base. There are many markings on the base of the shell and these may all be the original markings. The lid is made of lighter brass and has an octagonal-shaped knob on top. ‘4.5 Howr 11’ ‘B.A. 3 3 17’ ‘1917’ M.A.C.’ etc world war one, warrnambool

This piece of music has been produced during World War Two (1941) as a propaganda and fund-raising piece for the people of Alexandria in Egypt. It has both Greek and British backing with the headings on the cover in both languages. The music is a march and the title suggests that victory is on the way so the emotions are being stirred to keep up the morale. Egypt in World War Two was still under British influence and Alexandria is a port in Egypt at the mouth of the Nile River. In 1941 British battleships were based in the Alexandria harbor and two of them were disabled by Italian Navy divers. Hence it is not clear why it was the Hellenic (Greek) Red Cross raising funds for Alexandria through the sale of this music which was produced in that city by the Moharrem Press (founded 1938) and composed by Lena Bonfiliou, probably a Greek person. It is not known if this piece of music was bought in Australia or brought back to Australia by an Australian military person during World War Two.This is an interesting piece of music. Its connection to Warrnambool is not known but it is an example of the type of music produced during World War Two to help the war effort. This is a four page piece of music, ‘On the Road to Victory’ (a march) with a front cover, a blank end page and two pages of musical notation. The latter pages have black printing on white pages. The front cover has both Greek and English printing and a colour image of four British and Greek flags resting on a gun carriage with armaments underneath and indications of an explosion. There is a red stamp on the cover (Hellenic Red Cross). The pages are in good condition. English printing: ‘On the Road to Victory, March, P12’ Stamp: ‘For the Hellenic Red Cross, Alexandria’ alexandria, hellenic red cross, warrnambool, on the road to victory music

This is a book of 42 pages with a green cover with a sepia-coloured photograph and printing on the front cover and an advertisement on the back cover. The pages contain sketches in sepia and blue tones. The pages have been bound with staples but the staples are missing.fictionWorld War One Comic Sketchesworld war one, captain bruce bairnsfather, fragments from france

This is a book of 451 pages. It has a grey cover with black printing on the front and a grey baize cloth binding. The binding has a tear in the spine section. The pages contain printed text in French and English and five maps inserted into a folder at the back.non-fictionA record of the Treaty of Versaillesworld war one, treaty of versailles

This book has nine volumes with six of them containing three separate books inside the cover. The volumes have red hard covers with gold printing on the spines. There is an embossed image of a soldier on the front covers and embossed shields on the spines. The pages contain printed matter, maps and photographs.non-fictionA four volume set written about the history of World War 1. world war one, james low of warrnambool

This cup has been produced as a promotional item by the makers of Bovril, a meat extract paste usually used in cooking or stirred in hot water for a hot drink. It was developed in Britain in the 1870s and widely used during the depression of the 1930s and the World Wars when meat was scarce and expensive. Similar products such as Marmite (Britain) and Vegemite (Australia) have a vegetable rather than a meat base. This item is a memento of the times past when hot drinks made from meat or vegetable paste were very popular and it is retained for display purposes.This is a cream-coloured china cup with gold edgings and three gold-coloured Bovril logos (the name 'Bovril' inside a shield outline). The cup is mounted on a china base. Bovril Made in Englandmeat extract products, bovril, vintage china, bovril cup

This stencil has been made to imprint the label, 'Britain Relief Appeal' on to parcels and packages sent to Britain in the late 1940s and the early 1950s from the City of Warrnambool. Britain endured severe rationing of food, clothing, petrol and furniture from 1940 because of the outbreak of World War Two and this rationing continued in some form after the war up to 1954. Australian towns and cities established organizations such as Food For Britain and sent regular parcels of food and clothing to Britain during those times. The British Relief Appeal in Warrnambool (via the Warrnambool Food For Britain committee) was sponsored by the Warrnambool City Council, Toc H, Australian Red Cross, and various local charities and businesses. The Warrnambool & District Historical Society has in its collection over 100 letters sent by grateful British recipients of these parcels to the senders, the employees of the local Warrnambool business, Swintons Stores.This stencil is of interest as a memento of the effects of rationing in Britain in post-World War Two times and the close ties that existed between Australian towns and cities and their British counterparts.This is a rectangular-shaped metal stencil, originally painted black, with cut-out letters in the centre. Britain Relief Appealwarrnambool food for britain committee, warrnambool britain relief committee, world war two

This is the badge of the Australian Commonwealth Horse which was a mounted infantry unit of the Australian Army established during the Second Boer War in 1902. It was the first expeditionary force established by the Commonwealth of Australia following Federation in 1901 and the first to wear the Rising Sun Badge, a design chosen by the British Commander in Chief of the Australian Forces, Sir Edward Hutton. This Rising Sun Badge was the second version of a military badge used by Australian soldiers in 1902.This badge is of great interest as the hat badge worn by the Australian Commonwealth Horse in the Boer War. It is not known if it has any local significance. Brass semi-circular badge in the shape of the rising sun with slightly curved bottom edge. There is text along the bottom edge with "Australia" in a semi-circle above a crown in low relief.two hooks on the back of the badge."Commonwealth Horse" in scroll alonf bottom of badge. "Australia " in semicircle below the rays of the sun.warrnambool, commonwealth horse badge, military badges of australia, australian commonwealth horse badge

This medal was issued in 1919 to members of the Armed Forces to celebrate the victory of the Allies in World War One. Australian Armed Forces members were issued with the medal produced in Great Britain. The medal was issued to Private A.E.Snell. Albert Edward Snell enlisted in World War One from Nullawarre. He was listed as aged 21, single and a labourer. He was at first in the 8th Battalion (7 Reinforcement Group) and embarked on the Wandilla in 1915 and later transferred to the 14th Battalion. He was wounded in action and returned to Australia in1917.This medal is of considerable significance, firstly as an example of the medal issued after World War One to Australian Armed Forces members and secondly because it was issued to Private A.E. Snell, a resident of Nullawarre, about 32 kilometres from Warrnambool.This is a circular brass medal with a laurel wreath and an inscription on the reverse side. The obverse side features a winged figure of victory with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand. There is a metal ring at the top .There is text around the rim.THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914-1919 2419 PTE. A.S.SNELL 8 BN A.I.F.victory medal, private a.e.snell, warrnambool

This badge has been produced as a fund-raiser for the Red Cross in Victoria. Swiss-born Henri Dunant founded the Red Cross in the 1860s and it has now become an international humanitarian organization and a community service charity assisting particularly in times of war and natural disasters. The Red Cross in Victoria dates from 1914 and each year funds are collected from the public to assist the organization. This badge is an example of fund-raising for the Red Cross in Victoria.Circular badge with red border, white background and red cross in centre, pin clip on back.PATRICK BROS. MELBOURNE (Badge) MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN (Clip) red cross, swiss-born henri dunant, history of warrnambool

This booklet was issued to householders in Australia giving information on meat rationing during World War Two. Meat was rationed because much of the meat processed in Australia was sent overseas to Britain and to soldiers in war areas. The booklet includes hints on how to make the most of the meat ration. Meat and other key foods such as tea, sugar and butter were rationed during World War Two. Each person in Australia was allowed two meat coupons a week and, depending on the type of meat, this equated to one pound to two pounds of meat per coupon. Products such as sausages, brains, tripe, poultry, rabbits, bacon and ham were not rationed (but few people could afford poultry). This booklet is of interest because it is a memento of the times in World War Two when several food items were rationedThis is a small booklet of 10 pages. The front cover has a beige background with an orange border, red and black printing, a Commonwealth Government crest and a sketch of a casserole dish. The back cover has red and black printing on a beige background. The cover is slightly faded. The pages have red and black sketches and black print. The contents include recipes, meal plans and hints for cooking and storing meat. The booklet has been bound with metal staples. world war two, food rationing in world war two, history of warrnambool

This item is a World War One certificate featuring Walter Coulstock. Private Walter George Coulstock, an engineer, was born in Warrnambool and educated at the Warrnambool Academy. He enlisted at the age of 21 in August 1914, embarked in October 1914 and while travelling to Egypt he entered the machine gun section. He was wounded on the afternoon of the Landing and died of wounds in May 1915. He was buried at sea while in transit to Alexandria. Walter Coulstock was one of the many men and women from Warrnambool and district who enlisted in World War One and who died on active service.This certificate is of considerable significance as it is memento of Walter Coulstock who died in World War One. The Coulstock family was a prominent one in the Warrnambool district in the 19th and early 20th centuries and Walter is one of the local heroes of the Great WarThis is a paper certificate mounted on a frame of plywood. The mount indicates that the certificate has previously been framed. The certificate has a grey background and contains images of the British and Australian flags in red, white and blue, six black and white photographs, an image of H.M.A.S. Australia, an image of a battle scene with artillerymen and black and red lettering. Pasted on to the centre part of the certificate is a yellow piece of paper with a photograph and information on Walter Coulstock. The plywood is broken at the bottom edge and is somewhat stained."For King and Country' 'The Empire Called Us' 'Walter George Coulstock, Private, 8th Battalion, Company B. Reg. No.481, Date of Enlistment August 1914walter coulstock, world war 1 certificate

These badges were sold in Australia to aid the Red Cross war effort in World War One. The Australian Red Cross was founded as a branch of the British Red Cross in Melbourne in 1914. The organization was chiefly concerned with the welfare of Australian service personnel, sending comfort parcels, working in hospitals and canteens etc.These badges have no known local provenance but are retained as examples of the badges produced to aid the Australia Red Cross war effort in World War One. .1 A circular metal badge with edging in white and red and a white flag with a red cross in the centre set in a light-brown background. Under the flag is printing in red. The back has a metal clip. .2 and .3 As above Australian Red Cross Appeal 1918australian red cross, world war one, history of warrnambool

The Australian Red Cross was established in 1914 as part of the British Red Cross and the Warrnambool branch was established in the same year. The local Warrnambool branch volunteers were mainly women who held sewing meetings, organized parcels for the soldiers abroad during World War One, undertook First Aid courses to be of assistance in hospitals and raised funds for the Red Cross, especially the local branch and the Melbourne branch. This badge would have been sold as part of the1916 fund-raising campaign.This badge is of particular interest as a badge connected to the Warrnambool Red Cross in World War One and presumably sold to raise funds for the local branch of the Red Cross. This is a circular metal badge with a cream-coloured background, a painted red cross and blue printing. The badge has a metal clip at the back Warrnambool 1916warrnambool red cross, world war one, badge

Britain was bound by treaty to assist Belgium in times of war and in August 1914 came to Belgium's aid when that country was invaded by Germany. Great sympathy for the Belgians was engendered as news came of their plight and suffering under attack and in Australia this sympathy was reflected by the issuing of badges such as this to aid the war effort and to alleviate the suffering of the Belgians .These badges are of interest as a reminder of the interest of Australia of the war in 1999914-18 as it affected Belgiium..1 circular concave metal badge featuring the Belgian flag and text on a pale green background. There is a pin clip on the reverse. .2 As above .3 As above .4 As above .5 As above.1 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .2 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .3 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .4 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR .5 FOR BELGIUM AND HONOUR

These badges are hat or cap badges used by the Royal Australian Air Force . These badges may date from before World War Two but the ones used today are of similar design. The basic design mirrors the equivalent design of the badges of the Royal Air Force of Britain. The Royal Australian Air Force was established in 1921 and is the second oldest Air Force in the world, being formed from the Australian Flying Corps which was established in 1912.These cap badges are of interest as early examples of those worn by members of the Royal Australian Air Force..1Bronze badge featuring a crown, a wreath of leaves and berries enclosing stylised RAAF. There are two small rings on the reverse each with a two pronged brass pin inserted in the rings. .2 Identical to .1 except the brass pins are missing. RAAF

These three souvenir handkerchiefs were brought back to Australia after World War Two by James Godfrey. Flight Lieutenant James John Godfrey enlisted in World War Two in the Australian Air Force from Bessiebelle in western Victoria. He was attached to the British 8th Army under General Montgomery in North Africa and then took part in the landing in Sicily and the subsequent campaign through Italy. Before returning to Australia he travelled to Israel and Austria. These handkerchiefs are retained, firstly as examples of souvenirs brought back to Australia from returning military personnel after World War Two and secondly as souvenirs belonging to James Godfrey who had connections with the Warrnambool district. .1 This is a small pink silk handkerchief with a fluted edge and with some embroidery in one corner with flowers and wording in green, yellow and orange. .2 This is a small aqua-coloured silk handkerchief with a stitched edge and some stitched wording in one corner. Much of the edge stitching has been lost. .3 This is a white silk handkerchief with a stitched edge and a stencilled image in one corner. .1 Till we meet again .2 Bethlehem .3 Souvenir of Egypt world war two, history of warrnambool, james john godfrey

This item appears to be a World War One gas mask of the type known as the British small box respirator. Gas masks were produced and issued to members of the Allied defence forces in World War One in response to the German Army use of poison gas. The small box respirator was first issued in April 1916. This gas mask is of interest as a memento of World War One.This is a gas mask with a canvas hood for covering the face and with transparent mica eyepieces and cloth straps that fit around the head. A round perforated metal piece is attached to the bottom of the head piece and a hose is attached to the head piece and to an oval-shaped tin can. 757213 5613 (?) 18 world war one, history of warrnambool, gas mask

These medals were struck to commemorate the feat of Colonel Baden Powell who, with his troops, defended the town of Mafeking in South Africa during the Boer War for 217 days. Robert Baden Powell (1857-1941) was a British Army officer who served in India and Africa from 1876 to 1910. In 1907 he founded the Boy Scout movement, now an international organization for boys and with his sister Agnes, founded the Girl Guide movement, also now internationally established.These medals are of local interest as they commemorate Colonel Baden Powell’s heroics in defending in 1899-1900 the town of Mafeking in South Africa during the Boer War. The Relief of Mafeking was celebrated in Warrnambool in May 1900. .1 A bronze-coloured medal with an image of Colonel Baden Powell on one side and some descriptive text on the other. The medal has a metal ring at the top to attach the medal to a cord. .2 as .1 above except that the top metal ring is missing .1 Colonel Baden Powell Defender of Mafeking Relief of Mafeking May 1900 and Baden Powell The Hero Who Kept the Flag Flying For Over 215 Days .2 as .1 above colonel robert baden powell, boer war, relief of mafeking, history of warrnambool

This medallion, called a Memorial Plaque and popularly known as a Dead Man’s Penny, was one of those given to the family of an Australian soldier who died on active service in World War One. Memorial Plaques, such as this one, were given out in the early 1920s. This medallion was presented to the family of Robert Andrew Hose. Born in Warrnambool in 1892 to George and Janet Hose, Robert Hose was a regular soldier when he enlisted in World War One in August 1914. He served on Gallipoli at Cape Helles where he was wounded but returned to his post and was promoted to corporal. In Egypt he was promoted to Sergeant and then served in France where he was awarded the Military Medal for showing courage, resourcefulness and a fine example to his men in an encounter with the enemy near Beaumetz les Cambrai. In that incident he sustained severe wounds from which he died in May 1917. He is buried in France. As well as the Military Medal he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory MedalThis item is of great importance as a significant memento of World War One that was given to the family of Robert Andrew Hose following his death on active service in World War One. Robert Hose was born in Warrnambool and this medallion is a treasured object in our collection.This is a round bronze medallion with raised images of Britannia holding a laurel wreath over an inscribed name, a lion, dolphins, an oak branch, a lion cub and an eagle. The medal is inscribed around the left and top edges.He Died For Freedom and Honour Robert Andrew Hose robert andrew hose, world war one memorial plaque, history of warrnambool

The Victory medal was awarded to all Allied servicemen and women who served in World War One. Australians were issued with the medal made for British service personnel. The medal described above was awarded to Private Thomas Wickham. He was born in Port Fairy in 1886 and died in Warrnambool in 1955. Private Wickham enlisted in February 1916 and his next of kin was his wife Elizabeth, living at that time in Terang. Thomas Wickham was a member of the 58th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement. He served overseas and returned to Australia in 1919 and was discharged as medically unfit because of rheumatism. This is a round bronze medal with the image of a winged female figure of Victory on the obverse side and engraved lettering surrounded by laurel leaves on the reverse side. There is lettering around the edge of the medal. The medal has a metal ring to which is attached a rainbow-coloured ribbonThe Great War For Civilisation 1914-1919 1773 Pte. T. Wickham 58 Bn. A.I.F. world war one, thomas wickham, history of warrnambool

Medal presented for their service to their country and local district to returning local servicemen from the Great War (First World War) by the Shire of Eltham Welcome Home Committee. This medal was presented to W.H. Orford. Spr. W.H. Orford From Eltham We Honour You Great War 1914 - 1919 Whilst the war ended in 1918, many servicemen did not return home till 1919. ORFORD William Henry - Munitions Worker Number 542 William Henry Orford enlisted 1 Feb 1916 and embarked for France 25 May 1916. He was a Tunneler and was part of an operation of a group of British miners (known as "Claykickers" or “Manchester Moles”) recruited during World War I to tunnel underneath no man's land and set bombs below the German front at the Battle of Messines in June 1917. 10,000 German soldiers were killed instantly after the detonation of explosives beneath their lines. The story was depicted in the film "The War Below". Doug Orford, William's nephew recalls William saying they could hear the Germans as they tunnelled below them within metres. A month later He was wounded in action with a gun shot wound to the scalp and face in July 1917. He disembarked back in Melbourne on September 5, 1919.ww1, 1919, aif, battle of messine, great war, medal, shire of eltham, tunneler, welcome home committee, william henry orford

The Shire of Eltham War Memorial, a tower of remembrance to those who laid down their lives in serving their country during the Great War was opened in 1926. It is situated within the Shire of Eltham Memorial Park which was established in honour of all those who enlisted in the Great War to end all wars Processed by Studios Ltd POSTCARD 1905-1940s Like the carte-de-visite, postcards enjoyed a collecting craze by large numbers of people, and were often kept in albums through which the interested visitor could browse. Postcards were posted or exchanged in huge numbers. Postal authorities in Australia only allowed the private printing of postcards from 1898. At this time the back of the card was reserved for the address and postage stamp, and the front was used for the message and a picture. In 1902 British authorities allowed a "divided back", so that the left side could be used for the message, the right side for the address and stamp, and the whole of the front was devoted to the picture. France followed suit in 1904, Germany and Australia in 1905, and the United States in 1907. - Frost, Lenore; Dating Family Photos 1850-1920; Valiant Press Pty. Ltd., Berwick, Victoria 1991marg ball collection, postcard, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, war memorial tower

The British Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-Service community as a merger of four organisations: the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers and the Officers' Association. It was granted a Royal Charter on 29 May 1971 to mark its fiftieth anniversary which gives the Legion the privilege of the prefix 'Royal'.[1] Earl Haig, commander of the Battle of the Somme and Passchendaele was one of the founders of the Legion, and was President until his death.Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cmRoyal British Legion

Wounded7/5/1915 Gallipoli Died of Wounds at sea in transit to hospital The 1914 Star This bronze medal award was authorized by King George V in April 1917 for those who had served in France or Belgium between 5th August 1914 to midnight on 22nd November 1914 inclusive. The reverse is plain with the recipient's service number, rank, name and unit impressed on it. It should be remembered that recipients of this medal were responsible for assisting the French to hold back the German army while new recruits could be trained and equipped. Collectively, they fully deserve a great deal of honour for their part in the first sixteen weeks of the Great War. There were approximately 378,000 1914 Stars issued. The British War Medal, 1914-18 The silver or bronze medal was awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim. SN 1053 14Btn AIF

WW1 Served in Gallipoli & France WW2 Militia The 1914 Star This bronze medal award was authorized by King George V in April 1917 for those who had served in France or Belgium between 5th August 1914 to midnight on 22nd November 1914 inclusive. The reverse is plain with the recipient's service number, rank, name and unit impressed on it. It should be remembered that recipients of this medal were responsible for assisting the French to hold back the German army while new recruits could be trained and equipped. Collectively, they fully deserve a great deal of honour for their part in the first sixteen weeks of the Great War. There were approximately 378,000 1914 Stars issued. The British War Medal, 1914-18 The silver or bronze medal was awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim. The Allied Victory Medal Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim. The 1939-45 Star Awarded for service as follows: • Army - awarded for six months service in an operational command during the period 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945. The War Medal 1939-45 Awarded to members who served full-time in operational or non-operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Clarke SN 1703 8 Btn AIF