Medal Group World War 1 - "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred"

Subcollections
Overview

World War 1 medal group consisting of the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, swing mounted on medal bar with original ribbons.

Historical information

This was the standard medal grouping awarded to members of the Australian Imperial Force who enlisted between 4 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 for World War 1 service. This grouping came to be known after the war as "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred", popular cartoon characters of the time. The standard medal grouping for those enlisting after 31 December 1915 consisted of the War Medal and the Victory Medal commonly known as "Mutt and Jeff".

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-32-99-156
Inscriptions and markings

Recipient's number, rank, initials, name and unit inscribed on back of 1914-15 Star and on rim of War Medal and Victory Medal..

Contextual Information

The Army Museum has 60 medal groups in its collection consisting only of these three 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 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.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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World War 1 Medal Trio
World War 1 Medal group consisting of 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Inter-Allied Victory Medal
medal Drawer
Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred
/sites/default/files/2024-04/WORLD%20WAR%201%20TRIOS.docx
List of WW1 Trios in Collection

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