A note about the Victory Medal - Dvr S.G. Morgan ASC, Northamptonshire Regiment and Royal Fusiliers

The Victory Medal

The World War One British Victory Medal was awarded to all British service personnel who entered a theatre of war. on the strength of a military unit. The basic design was broadly common to all of the Allies, being of bronze (in the British case initially dull and later gilt) based on a representation of Winged Victory on the obverse, with the words "the Great War for Civilisation" in the appropriate language on the reverse. The British Victory medal was designed by a Mr W. MacMillan, who also designed the British War Medal. The ribbon also was common to the Allied and Associated Powers, being two rainbows joined by the red portion at the middle. It is probably the most commonly found of the British medals of World War One, as the British War Medal (with which it was commonly awarded) being silver, was often sold or pawned and in the 1970s 'silver bubble' was melted down, and hence fewer have survived. It was commonly known as "Wilfred" after the comic strip character, the War Medal being "Squeak" and the Mons/1914-15 Star being "Pip" (also characters in the same strip). The former two on their own were also known as "Mutt and Jeff." Due to the slightly more generous award criteria, more British War Medals were issued that Victory Medals, 6.4 million War Medals to 5.7 million Victory Medals.

The value varies considerably according to condition and to the attribution and history; medals to troops in regiments of the line tend to fetch more than those to Corps members, officers' medals generally fetch more than those of other ranks, medals to casualties will fetch more than to non-casualties, a medal to a 1 July 1916 (First day of the Battle of the Somme) casualty will command a premium compared to a casualty from a day either side, and so on.

Holder's service:

The particular example illustrated belonged to T/2/11413 Driver S.G. Morgan, born 1893, late private of the Northamptonshire Regiment (46695) and 13th battalion Royal Fusiliers (G/65877.) He was also entitled to the British War Medal and 1914-15 Star in recognition of his having entered the French theatre on 29.05.1915. He was discharged under para. 392 xvi of King's Regulations due to sickness (suffering from 20% disabling debility and anaemia) on 27.02.1919 and was entitled to the Silver War Badge.

After the war he lived at 9, Albert Street, Canton, Cardiff; his medal was bought, without suspension ring, from a shop in Cardiff about 95 years after issue.

Medal condition:

Fine, fitted with a new suspension ring and short length of ribbon.