1914 Star

The 1914 Star World War 1 Campaign Medal. Granted in 1917 and often called the Mons Star it was awarded to all who actually served in France or Belgium on the establishment of a unit between 5th August 1914 and midnight on 22-23 November 1914.

Members of the RM, RN, RNR or RNVR who served ashore qualified but not those serving afloat.

On 19th October 1919 the King announced the award of a clasp with the dates 5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 to those that had actually served under fire between those dates.

Eligibility

Instituted in 1917 and sometimes erroneously referred to as the Mons Star, this award was approved for all Officers and Men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses and others employed in military hospitals who actually served in France or Belgium between the 5th August 1914 and midnight of 22-23rd November 1914.

Criteria

Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RNR and RNVR personnel qualified if they served at ashore in France or Belgium. Army Personnel had to serve on the establishment of a Unit in Either France or Belgium Service for all must have been between 5th August 1914 and midnight of 22- 23rd November 1914

Description

A bronze four pointed star the top point formed as a crown with a ring suspension on top through which the ribbon is threaded. Swords cross through the angles of the star and where they meet they are surmounted with a scroll bearing the date 1914 above which is a smaller scroll bearing the date Aug and a similar scroll below bearing Nov with a plain reverse. The medal is worn from a watered ribbon of Red White and blue in equal proportions. The red is worn nearest to the centre of the chest. Approximately 378,000 stars were awarded but it is not known how many of these were awarded with a bar. 160 stars without bars were awarded to Canadian.

Mounting

A fixed ring formed into the top of the Crown.

Bars

A single clasp bearing the dates 5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 was authorised by the King in 1919 for award to those personnel who served under fire in France or Belgium between those dates. The clasp has a small hole in each corner for sewing onto the ribbon.