There were six Campaign Medals awarded to those who fought in WW1 but the men on the village memorial were only involved in four of those.

1914 Star with Clasp

The first is the 1914 Star (often wrongly referred to as the 'Mons Star') which was awarded for service between 5th August 1914 and 22nd November 1914 and a clasp was added if the man had been under fire in France or Belgium between these two dates. These were the 'Old Contemptibles' - Britain's 'Contemptible little army' as the Kaiser called them in 1914. The recipients name and rank at the time he entered the theatre of war is impressed on the back.

1914-15 Star

Next was the 1914-15 Star which had the same design and ribbon as the 1914 Star but the date was changed to 1914-15. In this case the man must have been in a war zone before 31st December 1915 but not be eligible for the 1914 Star. The date is written across the point where the swords cross. Again, as in the 1914 Star, the details of the recipient as at the time he enterd the war zone are impressed on the back.

British War Medal

The British War Medal was for any service overseas and did not necessarily mean the man must have served under fire. In the end virtually every man in the forces received this medal. The number, rank and name are impressed round the rim of the medal. In this case the latest unit, number and rank (substantive or acting) is used.

Victory Medal
with Oak Leaf

Victory Medal (Reverse)

The Allied Victory Medal was always issued in conjunction with the British War Medal and is the one where an oak leaf is diplayed if the recipient was mentioned in despatches. It was only awarded if the man was on a unit strength in a theatre of war. Like the British War Medal the man's details are impressed round the rim and are the highest rank he achieved in the war theatre.

Commemorative Plaque

In addition to the medals the next of kin of each man who died received a Commemorative Plaque, often cynically refered to as the 'Death Plaque' or 'Dead Man's Penny' for obvious reasons. The man's name appears on the front of the plaque and it was accompanied by a scroll from the King expressing his thanks for the family's sacrifice.

Commemorative Scroll