British War Medal

This British War Medal was awarded to Sergeant Arthur Richard Gillespie for his service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during World War I. One of the criteria for the award of the British War Medal was the rendering of approved services overseas during the war. Arthur Gillespie was a married man who enlisted at the age of 34 at Albany, near Auckland. He sailed for Egypt with the Auckland Infantry Battalion (3rd Reinforcments) on 14 February 1915, and was wounded at Gallipoli. He survived the war, and died in Wellington on 12 October 1947.

Establishment
The British War Medal was approved by King George V in 1919 in recognition of the successful conclusion of 'the Great War' (World War I) for the Allies, and the arduous services rendered by His Majesty's Forces. The medal was issued in both silver and bronze. Throughout the British Empire, 6.5 million were issued in silver, and 110,000 in bronze.

Details
The front, or obverse side, shows the head of the reigning British monarch, King George V. The head is based on the sculpture by Sir Bertram Mackennal. The reverse shows Saint George on a horse, trampling the eagle shields of the defeated 'Central Powers' (Germany and Austria-Hungary) as well as a skull and crossbones (an emblem of death). Above, the sun has risen victoriously.