Original George V British War Medal 1914–1918 Named SPR. T.H. HOLDER No. 508223

Original George V British War Medal 1914–1918

An original British War Medal 1914–1918 struck in solid silver and officially named on the rim to:

508223 SPR. T.H. HOLDER + Photocard

The obverse features the crowned portrait of King George V facing left with the Latin inscription:

“GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:”
(George V, King of all the British Isles and Emperor of India).

The reverse depicts Saint George mounted on horseback, armed with a short sword, triumphing over the Prussian eagle shield and the symbols of war and death. The rising sun in the background symbolises victory and the end of the Great War.

Specifications

• Country: United Kingdom
• Medal: British War Medal 1914–1918
• Material: Silver
• Monarch: King George V
• Diameter: 36 mm
• Thickness: Approximately 3 mm
• Named: 508223 SPR. T.H. HOLDER
• Original issue

Condition

The medal remains in very good overall condition with only minor signs of age and handling (small dent on side ) The details on both the obverse and reverse remain well preserved, and the impressed naming on the rim is clear and legible.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition assessment.

Historical Background

The British War Medal 1914–1920 was instituted to commemorate service during the First World War. It was awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial forces who rendered qualifying wartime service overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, with eligibility later extended to certain operations carried out until 1920, including mine clearance and service in Russia and the Baltic. More than 6.5 million British War Medals were issued, making it one of the principal campaign medals of the First World War. Each medal was officially impressed with the recipient’s service number, rank, name and unit on the rim, making every named example directly attributable to an individual serviceman.