UK, WWI - Early Trio - Royal Field Artillery

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United Kingdom, WWI - Named, Early Trio. Awarded to: Gunner Alfred Davis of the 38th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (Service Number: 31579). The 1914 Star was never awarded on its own, but along with the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

The 1914 Star was instituted April 1917 (authorized November 1917 - Army / January 1918 - Navy), and 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: “31579 GNR. A. Davis. R.F.A.”. To the top is a loop and ring which holds a red, white and blue ribbon, stitched to a medal bar. Stitched to the obverse of the ribbon is a bronze clasp which reads: “5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914.” and is flanked by two silver burnished roses. Instituted in 1919, the clasp, together with two small silver roses, 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.

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 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 suspender that holds a blue, black white and orange ribbon, stitched to a medal bar. The rim is officially impressed reading: “31579 GNR. A. Davis. R.A.”. The award measures 36mm in diameter.

The Victory Medal was issued to all those who received the 1914 Star. It is constructed out of a die stamped bronze base. The round shaped obverse features the winged, full-length, full-front, figure of 'Victory' with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand. The reverse reads: “The Great War For Civilization 1914-199”, surrounded by a laurel leaf wreath. To the top is a barrel loop and ring holding a rainbow-colored ribbon, stitched to a medal bar. The rim is officially impressed reading: “31579 GNR. A. Davis. R.A.”. The award measures 39mm in diameter.

The awards are all stitched to a ribbon bar. The bar is constructed out of a nickel-silver base and has the appropriate pin, hinge and catch assembly, which remains in well working condition. Shows age. A great early complete example of a Gunner who had served under fire in the R.F.A.