Date
Instituted: 1917.
Campaign: First World War 1914-18.
Description: Four pointed star with
the top point being hidden by a crown. The obverse has a scroll
in the centre with the year ‘1914’ in the centre and the months
‘AUG’ above and ‘NOV’ below. Surrounding this is a laurel
wreath with the 'GV' monogram at the bottom and two crossed swords
in the background. The ribbon is attached via a ring on top
of the crown while the reverse is plain and flat.
Metal: Bronze.
Size: 50mm high and 45mm wide.
Clasps: '5th AUG.-22ND NOV. 1914' (often referred to as the 'Mons Bar').
| Ribbon: |
 |
Naming: Block
capital letters in 3 lines on the reverse in either small or square
sans serif capitals. Those awarded to members of the Royal
Naval Division (R.N., R.N.R., R.N.V.R., and R.M.) are impressed
in large square serifed capitals.
Comments: Some 378,000 1914 stars
were issued to members of the BEF and Royal Navy. It is unknown
how many 'Mons Bars' were awarded but is believed to be about five
for every seven stars issued. When the ribbon was worn without
the medal those entitled to the Mons Bar wore a silver rosette in
the centre of the ribbon. However this rosette was mistakenly
worn by many recipients of the 1914 Star who were not entitled to
the bar believing it denoted the earlier of the two stars.
To
qualify for the 1914 Star (as opposed to the 1914-15 Star) the recipient
had to be on active service in France or Belgium while the 1914-15
Star included all theatres of war. Many naval personnel therefore
only qualified for the 1914-15 Star unless they landed in France
or Belgium before December 1914. This Star is always accompanied
by the War Service Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. |
