Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Medal - Inter-Allied Victory Medal

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Overview

The Victory medal is bronze, circular and 36 millimetres in diameter. While originally to be of dull bronze, the final award had a clear lacquer coating, giving it a bright finish. It was designed by William McMillan. The obverse shows the winged, full-length, full-front, figure of 'Victory' (or 'Victoria') with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand,] similar to the statue surmounting the Queen Victoria Memorial, in front of Buckingham Palace in London. The reverse has the words "THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914–1919" in four lines, all surrounded by a laurel wreath.
The 39 millimetres wide watered ribbon has an iridescent colour scheme, with the violet moving through to a central red stripe where both schemes meet. It attaches to the medal through a ring suspender.

Historical information

The Victory Medal (also called the Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire World War 1 campaign medal. The award of a common allied campaign medal was recommended by an inter-allied committee in March 1919.[2] Each allied nation would design a 'Victory Medal' for award to their own nationals, all issues having certain common features, including a winged figure of victory on the obverse and the same ribbon. Fourteen countries finally awarded the medal
The Victory Medal (United Kingdom) was issued to all those who received the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star, and to most of those who were awarded the British War Medal. It was not awarded singly. To qualify, recipients need to have served in the armed forces of the United Kingdom or the British Empire, or with certain recognised voluntary organisations, and have entered any theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Women qualified for this and other World War 1 campaign medals while serving in nursing and auxiliary forces in a theatre of war. It was also awarded for participation in the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War up to 1 July 1920.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-135

Inscriptions and markings

The recipient's name, rank, service number and unit were impressed on the edge of the medal. The name of the regiment or corps was omitted on medals awarded to Army officers. Those mentioned in despatches between 4 August 1914 and 10 August 1920 wear a bronze oak leaf spray on the medal's ribbon.

Contextual Information

In the collection of the Army Museum, the Victory Medal is found in over [200] medal groups. The trio of 1914/15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal were popularly dubbed "Pip, Sqeak and Wilfred" after cartoon characters of the time. The War Medal and Victory Medal pair were often referred to as "Mutt and Jeff"
Multiple examples of this medal 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.

Links to additional resources

Eligibility for Award

World War 1 Trio

World War 1 Duo

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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