UK, WWI - 1914 Star with Clasp

Allied Forces > Commonwealth > Awards & Medals >

United Kingdom, WWI - Named, 1914 Star (Mons Star). John Coates 5th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (Service Number: 30466). Coates joined the R.G.A. (Royal Garrison Artillery) on September 25, 1914. Coates was also awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal as the 1914 was never awarded on its own. Instituted April 1917 (authorized November 1917 - Army / January 1918 - Navy), the 1914 Star was awarded to British, Indian and Canadian forces who served in France or Belgium between August 5, 1914, and midnight of November 22–23, 1914. It is constructed out of a die stamped bronze base that has been chemically burnished and bronze plated. The obverse features a centrally placed ribbon that reads: “1914” below “Aug” and above “Nov”, that flows between two crossed gladii swords, and is surrounded by an oak leaf wreath with “GV” (the Royal Cypher of George V) to the bottom, all underneath a royal crown and in front of a four-pointed star. The full back reverse is officially impressed: “30466 GNR. J. Coates R.G.A.”. To the top is a loop and ring which holds 5 ½ inches of red, white and blue ribbon. Stitched/glued to the obverse of the ribbon is a bronze clasp which reads: “5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914.”. Instituted in 1919, the clasp was awarded to those who had served under fire or who had operated within range of the enemy mobile artillery. The award measures 1 ¾ inches wide by 2 inches tall.