British, WWI - Two-piece Medal Bar to L. Cpt. T. Bramall

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United Kingdom, WWI – Two-Piece Medal Bar awarded to Lance Corporal Thomas Bramall of the Royal Engineers (Service Number: 46179). Bramall joined the Royal Engineers on September 2, 1914. He saw three years of active service in France, with his first engagement at the Battle of Loos. He was transferred to the Macedonian front where he served until the Armistice was signed. Bramall passed away, at the age of 21, on February 15, 1919. Bramall won the British Meritorious Service Medal and the British War Medal.

The First Issue - British Meritorious Service Medal was instituted December 19, 1845, with extended eligibility in 1916, and was awarded to those who offered valuable services and for gallantry not in the face of the enemy. It is constructed out of a die struck silver base that has been burnished. The round shaped obverse features the left facing effigy of King George V, in field marshal uniform surrounded by “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:” (George V, King of all the British Isles and Emperor of India). Under the left shoulder are the designers initials “BM” (Sir Bertram Mackennal). The reverse reads: “For Meritorious Service” surrounded by a laurel lead and berry wreath that is tied together at the bottom and has a royal crown to the top. To the top is a decorative, swiveling suspender with a single-toe claw mount that holds 5 inches of crimson with white edges and a white center stripe (c.1917). The rim is officially impressed reading: “46179 SPR: - A.L. Cpt - T. Bramall. R.E.”. The award measures 36mm wide.

The British War Medal was instituted July 26, 1919, and was awarded for service between August 5, 1914 and November 11, 1918. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. It is constructed out of a die struck silver base that has been burnished. The round shaped obverse features the left facing effigy of King George V, surrounded by “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:”. The reverse shows Saint George naked on horseback and armed with a short sword, an allegory of the physical and mental strength which achieved victory over Prussianism. The horse tramples on the Prussian eagle shield and the emblems of death, a skull and cross-bones. In the background are ocean waves and just off-center near the right upper rim is the risen sun of Victory. The years “1914” and “1918” appear on the perimeter in the left and right fields. To the top is a plain, single toe claw mount, that holds a straight swivel suspender that holds 5 ½ inches of blue, black white and orange ribbon. The rim is officially impressed reading: “46179 SPR. T. Bramall. R.E.”. The award measures 36mm wide.