South Africa, WWI - Named Trio to Pte 12th Infantry

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South Africa, WWI - Named Trio. Awarded to: Private/Driver J.T. Sanger of the South African 12th Infantry / Service Corps. The 1914-15 Star was never awarded on its own, but along with the British War Medal and Victory Medal. A great three piece group!

The 1914-15 Star was instituted December 23, 1918, and was awarded to British, Indian and Canadian forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between August 5, 1914, and December 31, 1915, provided they had not already received the 1914 Star. It is constructed out of a die stamped bronze base that has been bronze plated and chemically burnished. The obverse features a centrally placed ribbon that reads: “1914-15”, 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: “PTE J.T. Sanger 12th Infantry”. To the top is an integral loop and ring which holds 4 inches of red, white and blue ribbon. 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. The horse tramples on the Prussian eagle shield and the left features a skull and cross-bones. To 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: “DVR. J.T. Sanger S.A.S.C.”. The award measures 36mm in diameter.

The Victory Medal was issued to all those who had been awarded the 1914-15 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: “DVR. J.T. Sanger S.A.S.C.”. The award measures 39mm in diameter.