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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

1914 Star


Moey123

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Hello all from NZ . Finally writing up a 'bio' on my grandfather Charles William Harris. He was awarded the 1914 Star in 1919 but I have never seen or heard about where the medal ended up. It was dispatched by post and I am sure my grandmother would have made she they got it.

Can anyone tell me how to get a copy - just for the grandkids..as highly unlikely the original will ever come to light.

One last question...did they have the soldiers name engraved on them?

Many thanks

Maureen

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There are various suppliers of replica WWI medals. E.g Worcestershire Medal Service - who are also the current suppliers of medals to the MoD:

https://www.worcmedals.com/1914-Star-(Copy)

Presumably he would also have received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal:

https://www.worcmedals.com/British-War-Medal-(Copy)

https://www.worcmedals.com/Victory-Medal-(Copy)

(Inserting the caveat that their copy medals are deliberately not made to the same exact detail and level of quality as originals)
 

Yes, soldiers would have had their details impressed on the back. I’m sure if you give your grandfather’s details here, someone will tell you the correct naming style to add.

Edited by peregrinvs
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Dear Moey123,

Here is what a 1914 Star reverse naming typically looked like (these are P1150615.JPG.cfc13ac32ea1093438cfb5976d5d68ea.JPG1864863611_Mathewsgroup14Starrev.jpg.e5809676811d892276e135b646e20704.jpgjust two examples).

Kindest regards,

Kim.

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there are 5 Charles William's and 37 Charles W Harris listed with a 1914 link on Ancestry Medal cards.

do you have a regiment for him, or have his details already as the card may have more information. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, Thanks to all you kind people who posted here, I now have the 3 medals grandfather was awarded. So happy for this.

I see only the Star can be engraved.

Advice if you please...Charles' details are

E/S 8028

1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment

Sergeant but also promoted to Acting Quartermaster Sergeant to 1st Battalion 2 years before being discharged as no longer fit for duty. Dont know how long he was Acting though.

All seems a bit much to engrave!

What are the most appropriate details to have on his medal?

Thanks again

Maureen

 

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Below is his transcription from The National Archives

 

Reference: WO 372/9/35725
Description:
Medal card of Harris, Charles W
Corps Regiment No Rank
1st East Surrey Regiment L/8028 Corporal
Labour Corps 378001 Corporal
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Dear Maureen,

In the case of engraving, I would suggest:-

On the reverse side of the 1914 Star (in three lines, see attached example):

L/8028 

CPL. C. W. HARRIS

E. SURREY R.

On the rims of both the British War Medal 1914-18 AND the Victory Medal 1914-19 (see also example attached):-

378001, CPL. C. W. HARRIS, L. C.

Kindest regards,

Kim.IMG_20211225_155835.jpg.8396fc86233964aef28cd0f77c87de40.jpgIMG_20211225_165216.jpg.b0625e627ba7f8a525a84f0ffd882ee1.jpg

 

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On 22/12/2021 at 20:50, Moey123 said:

Hello all from NZ . Finally writing up a 'bio' on my grandfather Charles William Harris. He was awarded the 1914 Star in 1919 but I have never seen or heard about where the medal ended up. It was dispatched by post and I am sure my grandmother would have made she they got it.

Can anyone tell me how to get a copy - just for the grandkids..as highly unlikely the original will ever come to light.

One last question...did they have the soldiers name engraved on them?

Many thanks

Maureen

Unlikely, maybe, but not impossible. May I also suggest you join the British Medal Forum (BMF):

https://britishmedalforum.com

It has a “Seeking Family Medals” section and, as here, many friendly and helpful experts who would also be happy to answer any queries you may have about your grandfather’s medals. You never know, someone there may even have his original group in their collection. 

The site also has a comprehensive list of medal dealers and auction houses, which you may find useful.

You may not be aware of “Medal Tracker” but, if not, here are some links which might also help (these are courtesy of a member on the BMF):

https://www.tokenpublishing.com/medaltracker

It is possible to put a notification on “Medal Tracker” to advise that you are searching for the medals:

https://www.tokenpublishing.com/medaltracker/submission

There is also this website:

https://www.britisharmyancestors.co.uk/find-a-medal-medals-sought/

It is also possible to set up an auto search for a surname on Ebay, The Saleroom and Easy Live Auction:

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-alerts

https://www.easyliveauction.com

I have no connection to, nor business interest in, any of the above websites.

Of course, with a not so unusual name such as Harris you may get quite a lot of email alerts, but possibly also worth a try. For example, I typed in “Harris” just now in this forthcoming auction and one medal did pop up in this mixed Lot, but sadly not your grandfather’s.

https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/d4280689f6bbf7ea72bd3c9e69b9ece9/0af8d24542e81eb9357e7ef448a6646f/coins-banknotes-medals-and-militaria-sale-lot-12/

Good luck, Maureen, I know I will be thrilled to bits if I ever find my own great grandfather’s WW1 medals albeit, as you say, unlikely, but you just never know, his actual medals may well still be out there waiting for you to find :thumbsup:

Martin
 

 

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  • Admin

For the sake of clarity previously posted a slip that accompanied the BWM and VM Medals

"To avoid unnecessary correspondence, kindly note that the Regtl. particulars inscribed on the British War & Victory Medals are those held on first disembarkation in a theatre of war. The rank is the highest attained, PROVIDED IT WAS HELD IN A THEATRE OF WAR OR OVERSEAS PRIOR TO 11.11.18. Appointments such as L/Sgts., L/Cpl/, etc. are not inscribed on Medals, SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN RIFLE REGTS. 'Rifleman" is not inscribed on War Medals, "Pte." being the correct designation of this rank.'"

(their caps)

This did not apply to the 14/ 14-15 Star

In the examples shown you will note the 14 Star shows his rank when he entered theatre; (in light of the above I'm a little mystified as to why he is shown as lieut on one was medal and Captain on the other.)  That said  I would agree with Kim's suggested engraving. 

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