Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Medal Group World War 1 - "Mutt and Jeff"

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1919

Subcollections

Overview

World War 1 medal group consisting of the British War Medal and the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, court mounted for display with replacement ribbons

Historical information

This was the standard medal grouping awarded to members of the Australian Imperial Force who enlisted after 1 January 1916 for World War 1 service. This grouping came to be known after the war as "Mutt and Jeff", popular cartoon characters of the time. The standard medal grouping for those enlisting before 31 December 1915 consisted of the 1914-15 Star, the War Medal and the Victory Medal was commonly known as "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred".

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-157

Inscriptions and markings

Recipient's number, rank, initials, name and unit inscribed on the rims of War Medal and Victory Medal.

Contextual Information

The Army Museum has 75 medal groups in its collection consisting only of these two medals. Before the Vietnam War, most medals were "swing" mounted with individual medals on ribbons to their suspension bar or ring. When the wearer was marching the medals would bounce producing a tingling sound, a familiar feature of Anzac Day parades with large marching contingents. Because medals could become worn or damaged, "Court" mounting became the norm. In a Court mounting, the ribbon extends halfway down the medals which are firmly fixed to a stiff backing, reducing wear but eliminating the rhythmic sound.

Multiple examples of these medals are retained as an ongoing memorial to the service and sacrifice of Western Australians. Medals are displayed in context throughout the Museum. All medals are identified, archivally stored and those not on display are accessible and viewable with prior notice.

Year

1919

Links to additional resources

Victory Medal

British War Medal

Court or Swing Mounted

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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