Historical information
James Beashel enlisted for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 1 June 1917. He served with the 33rd Battalion and was marched out to the front in France in February 1918. In that year the 33rd Battalion engaged in a number of significant battles as the Germans launched their ‘Spring Offensive’ – a final push for victory following the revolution and collapse of the Russian army in late 1917. Some of the notable engagements include the Battle of Mont St Quentin, the Battle of Amiens and the Battle of Villers Bretonneux. The British War Medal 1914-20 was instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of the First World War. It was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces who had served for a prescribed period during the course of the war, or who had died in active service.
Beashel was not the most disciplined of soldiers throughout his time with the AIF. He was regularly disciplined for offences such as neglecting to obey orders, drunkenness, going AWOL and missing marching parades. He was discharged from the AIF at the conclusion of the First World War and returned home to New South Wales. Later in life he relocated to Victoria and died in 1965. For his service he received the Victory Medal, the British War Medal 1914-20, and the 1914-15 Star.
Significance
This item is historically significant as it represents the service of an Australian in one of the most significant events of the twentieth century, and indeed in human history. 416,809 Australians enlisted for service, of which more than 60,000 were killed and more than 150,000 were wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. The First World War remains a significant event in Australia's history. The landings at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 is remembered as ANZAC Day, and is still commemorated to this day, over 100 years later.
Physical description
Silver, circular medallion. The profile of King George V is impressed on the obverse, along with the words 'GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:'
The reverse has an impression of St George on horseback, along with '1914' and '1918'.
The ribbon is a thick orange band, flanked on both sides by thinner blue, black and white bands.
Inscriptions & markings
Obverse:
GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP: /
Reverse:
1914 1918 //
