What was the British War Medal awarded for?
Q: What was the British War Medal awarded for?
A: The British War Medal (often shortened to BWM) was awarded to both officers and men of the Royal Marines, Royal Navy, the Army and also the Dominion and Colonial Forces. To qualify for (be allowed to have) the medal, a member of the fighting forces had to have left his native country in any part of the British Empire whilst on military duty.
Q: When was it originally meant to be given out?
A: The medal was originally meant to be for people who had fought in the war between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.
Q: Why did this date change?
A: This date changed because a lot of people still lost their lives in the armed forces even after the war had ended, because they were clearing landmines or mines at sea. Therefore, it was changed to cover years between 1914 and 1920.
Q: How many medals were given out?
A: There were over six and a half million British War Medals given out.
Q: What materials are most medals made from?
A: Most of them are made of silver, but some rarer ones are made of bronze instead.
Q: What is shown on each side of a medal?
A: Each side of a medal is called a face. The face that usually has a picture of the side view of a person's head on it is called the obverse, and the other side is called reverse. The obverse side shows a bust of King George V with lettering around it reading 'GEORGIVS V BRITT OMN REX ET IND IMP '. The reverse side shows Saint George riding on horseback trampling on symbols representing enemies during World War One as well as dates '1914' and '1918'.
Q: What does each symbol represent on either side?
A: On one side there is lettering which reads 'GEORGIVS V BRITT OMN REX ET IND IMP ', which translates into English as 'George 5th Of All Britons (British People); King Of India; Emperor'. On reverse there is Saint George riding on horseback trampling on symbols representing enemies during World War One such as Prussia's emblem along with skull & crossbones & rising sun known as Victory Sun along with dates '1914' & '1918'.
