During World War 1 there were three campaign medals which were issued to servicemen.  These medals were always issued as a set and were commonly referred to (irreverently or affectionately) as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Pip represented either the 1914-15 or the 1914 Star (aka the Mans Star), Squeak represented the British War Medal and Wilfred represented the Victory Medal.

The recipient’s name, rank, number and regiment would be stamped in block capitals on the reverse  of the Star medal in three lines.

No man could be the receipient of both the 1914 (Mans Star) and the 1914-15 Star.

1914 Star (aka Mons Star)  and the 1914 - 15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

The 1914 Star is also known as the Mons Star, and was issued a campaign medal of the British Empire for service given during World War 1

The medal was authorised in April, 1917 and was to be awarded to those who served in France or Belgium between 5th August and midnight on 22nd/23rd November 1914.  

The men who received this medal were officers and men of the pre-war British Army, specifically the British Expeditionary Force (also known as the B.E.F or the Old Contemptibles).  It became known as the Mons Star because it was given to thos who landed in France soon after the outbreak of the War and who took part in the Retreat from Mons. Total number issued was 365,622

At the same time as this medal was give, the recipients also received Recipients the British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

In October 1919, the King approved the award of the bar to this star. This was given to all those who had been ‘under fire’ in France or Belgium between the above dates. 

The Bar is made of bronze and is inscribed with  “5th Aug – 22nd Nov. 1914”   There are small holes on each corner enabling it to be sewn on to the ribbon.  Those entitled to the bar would wear a small silver rose in the centre of the ribbon when the medal was not worn.

The 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War 1.

This Star is identical with the 1914 Star in every respect except that the centre scroll bears the dates 1914- 15.  The Star was approved in 1918 and was issued to officers and men of British Imperial Forces who were involved in any theatre of war against the "Central Powers" between 5th August, 1914, and 31st December, 1915, with the exception of those  who were eligible to receive the 1914 Star.  

The British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire issued as one of a set of three to those who fought in World War 1.   

The medal was approved in 1919 and was given to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had served between 5^th August 1914 and 11^th November 1918.

It is interesting to note that officers and men of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the Dominion and Colonial naval forces (including reserves) were required to have completed 28 days mobilised service before being eligible to receive it.  However, the medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this time.

The medal was also awarded for  mine-clearing at sea as well as to those who fought in North and South Russia, the Eastern Baltic, Siberia, the Black Sea, and the Caspian.

This medal was given singly without the Allied Victory Medal to certain regular and mobilized personnel who did not see any fighting.

The Victory Medal is also known as the Inter Allied Victory Medal. It was awarded everyone who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star.  It was never awarded alone.  It was issued to any man who had  served in any of the land wars, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918

Interesting Fact

It was also given to women  (eg nurses, the Women's Royal Naval Service, Woman Army Auxiliary Corps, Women’s Royal Air Force, canteen staff and members of many charitable services)