Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Medal Trio of Sergeant Frederick Ernest BRUCE 243

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c. 1918 - 1921

Overview

The 1914-15 Star is a 4-pointed star in bronze, with a crown at the top. The obverse has crossed swords, overlaid with an oak wreath with the cypher of King George V at the bottom. A scroll bearing the legend 1914-15 is centrally placed across the crossed blades. The medal is very dull and showing considerable patination. The rear of the medal is engraved in the centre. The British War Medal 1914-1918 is cupro-nickel with the effigy of George V facing left on the obverse. There is a legend surrounding the effigy. The reverse has an image of St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and crossbones, the emblems of death. Above this is the risen sun of victory. Atop the medal is the suspender. The rim is engraved for the recipient. The medal is dull and dirty.
The Victory Medal is bronze with a winged figure of Victory on the obverse. The reverse has words engraved surrounded by a laurel wreath. The rim is again engraved for the recipient. The medal shows some wear on the rim and a small amount of patination on the reverse. There is a suspender ring atop the medal through which the ribbon would have been threaded. The medal shows significant patination on the rear.

Historical information

This trio of medals was awarded to Frederick Ernest BRUCE 243. Frank came from Cossack in the north of Western Australia and enlisted on 4 November 1914. He joined 10th Light Horse Regiment as a Private and his unit sailed from Fremantle aboard the HMAT A47 Mashobra on 17 February 1915. Frederick served at Gallipoli and then in Palestine. He was promoted to Sergeant in January 1918 and returned to Australia on 10 July 1919. Those who served in the First World War and met the eligibility criteria were commonly entitled to one or more of the following three medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-1920 and Victory Medal. The 1914-15 Star was authorised in 1918 and was awarded for service in specified theatres of war between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915.
The British War Medal 1914-20 was instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of the war and recognise the service given. The qualifying period of service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 was later extended to cover post-war mine clearance and service in Russia during 1919 and 1920. The medal was awarded for service in the Navy, Army, Mercantile Marine and other specified organisations.
The Victory Medal was authorised in 1919 to commemorate the victory of the Allied Forces over the Central Powers. The Victory Medal was awarded to prescribed classes of persons who entered a theatre of war on duty between 5 August 1914 and 11 November. Australians were awarded the medal issued by Great Britain.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2022.1.18 a-c

Item type

Medals

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Bronze (Metal)

Metal

Nickel Silver

Width

112 mm

Height or length

83 mm

Weight

96 g

Inscriptions and markings

1914-15 Star reverse “243 / PTE F. E BRUCE / 10 L.H.R RGT. A.I.F.”
British War Medal obverse “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IMP:” and reverse “1914 1918” and along rim “ 243 SGT F. E. BRUCE 10/ L..H. RGT. A.I.F. BN. A.I.F.”
Victory Medal reverse “THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919” and along rim “243 SGT. F.E BRUCE 1 L.H.R .A.I.F.”

Contextual information

At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 when the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) was raised, a mounted unit was not initially required from Western Australia. However Interest was so great that it was realised that a complete Regiment could be formed by West Australians and the 10th Light Horse Regiment was established. The Regiment first saw action on Gallipoli Peninsula as Infantry at Quinn’s Post and Pope’s Hill. As part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade the Regiment, together with the 8th Light Horse Regiment, was involved in the action of THE NEK where both units showed outstanding gallantry but suffered severely. The only Victoria Cross gained by an Australian Light Horse unit in the First World War was won on Gallipoli by 2LT H.V.H. THROSSELL of 10th Light Horse at Hill 60 on 29/30 August, 1915. Following the evacuation from the Peninsula, 10th Light Horse saw much fighting throughout the campaigns in Sinai, Palestine, Jordan and Syria. In the long advance which was to eventually terminate with the fall of Damascus, 10th Light Horse had the honour of leading the Australian Mounted Division. The Regiment accepted the formal surrender of Damascus on 1st October, 1918. Before returning home after the Armistice, 10th Light Horse was involved in quelling the bitter Egyptian uprising of 1919.

Keywords

First World War

10th Light Horse Regiment

1st Australian Imperial Force

Place made

United Kingdom

Year

c. 1918 - 1921

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria