Victory Medal and British War Medal

These two medals were awarded to millions of military personnel after the First World War (1914-19). These particular medals were awarded to New Zealander Private Leonard Maxwell Morrison (1897-1974).

The Victory Medal

The Victory Medal was awarded to all New Zealand troops serving overseas (except for those who arrived in Samoa after 30 August 1914 and those serving in Great Britain only).  Approximately 6 million of these medals were issued to military personnel from the British Empire.

The medal is distinguished by its unique ‘double rainbow' ribbon. The obverse of the medal depicts the figure of Victory holding a palm branch in her right hand.  On the reverse of the medal is a laurel wreath containing the inscription: 'THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION 1914-1919'.  The dates '1914-1919' include post-war intervention by the Allied nations in the Russian Civil War.

The British War Medal

The British War Medal was instituted in 1919 to recognise the conclusion of the First World War (1914-1919).

The obverse of this medal shows the uncrowned left-facing profile of King George V by Sir Bertram Mackennal. The reverse of the medal depicts St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and cross-bones (the emblems of death).  Above, the sun has risen in victory.  The figure is mounted on horseback to symbolise man's mind controlling a force of greater strength than his own (alluding to the scientific and mechanical developments and machines used during the war).

Throughout the British Empire about 6.5 million medals were awarded in silver.  Approximately another 110,000 were awarded in bronze, mainly to Chinese, Indian and Maltese personnel in labour battalions.

For more information refer to: 'Medals Awarded to New Zealand Military Personnel' (http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/index.html).