Allied Victory Medal 1914-1919 (British), awarded to Cpt. T. M. Monk, 1919
Obverse, Victory looking to the sky and holding aloft a wreath and a palm |
Reverse, inscription in border |
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Obverse, Victory looking to the sky and holding aloft a wreath and a palm |
Reverse, inscription in border |
When the Great War of 1914-1918 had ended, there was a genuine feeling among the victorious Allies that their military efforts had been instrumental in preserving modern civilization, and this and the united spirit of the Alliance were commemorated in a combined issue of medals to those who had seen active service during the conflict. 13 nations in all issued a variety of this medal; all shared the rainbow ribbon and suspension, and all but the Japanese, who lacked a comparable symbolic figure, used a form of Victory on the obverse and a legend on the reverse.
Those who had fought in the British Armed Forces were already entitled to the British War Medal, of course, and if they had served since early on, the 1914 or 1914-15 Stars. The Victory Medal thus became an additional award in Britain, but for many other countries it was the sole badge of participation in the War.
This medal was awarded to Captain T. M. Monk, and is part of what the catalogue of the Watson Collection considers Group 6. Its provenance is therefore considered with the others of that group.