Historical information

Service personnel of the United Kingdom or Commonwealth who are mentioned in despatches (MiD) are not awarded a medal for their actions, but receive a certificate and wear an oak leaf device on the ribbon of the appropriate campaign medal. Lieutenant-Colonel R E (Richard Edmond) Courtney was the Commanding Officer of the 14th Battalion for the period August 1914-1915, including the Gallipoli Campaign. The certificate was signed by Winston Churchill as Secretary of State. It appears to be an official duplicate of the original.

Physical description

Duplicate of original certificate on white paper that has discoloured with age, and is printed on one side in black, endorsed with red typewriting and signed in black ink.

Inscriptions & markings

On front: typewritten endorsement 'Lieutenant-Colonel RE Courtney 14th Battalion (Victoria) Australian Infantry" and handwritten signature of Winston Churchill.
On back: typewritten endorsement 'duplicate'