Material: Silk ribbon with bronze oakleaf device
Size: 100mm w x 10m
Circa: 1919–1920s
Ribbons Represented:
1914–15 Star (left)
Ribbon of red, white, and blue stripes radiating outward. Awarded to personnel who served in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915, excluding those already eligible for the earlier 1914 Star.
British War Medal (center)
Broad orange centre with narrow white, black, and blue stripes at edges. Awarded to British and Commonwealth forces for service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. The medal was widely issued to members of the British Armed Forces and allied personnel.
Victory Medal (right)
Distinctive rainbow ribbon symbolizing the hope for peace following the end of the war. The Victory Medal (United Kingdom) was awarded to all personnel who entered a theatre of war during the First World War.
Oakleaf Emblem
The bronze oakleaf device worn on the Victory Medal ribbon indicates the recipient was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) for gallant or distinguished service. The oakleaf symbol references the traditional association of the oak with strength and honour in military heraldry. Mentions in Despatches were recorded in official reports sent by commanders to higher command.
“Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred”
British soldiers humorously nicknamed the three medals Pip – 1914–15 Star, Squeak – British War Medal, and Wilfred – Victory Medal. The nickname came from a popular 1920s British newspaper cartoon strip titled Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. Because the three medals were commonly issued together, the nickname quickly became widely adopted by veterans.
Notes:
The medal trio became the most recognizable set of First World War campaign medals issued to British and Commonwealth servicemen. Millions of these medals were awarded following the war, often distributed several years after service had ended as the massive administrative task of recognizing wartime service was completed. The oakleaf was actually mounted on the Victory Medal ribbon for display, but on the actual medal set it was worn on the ribbon of the British War Medal. Ribbon bars sometimes show it on the Victory ribbon for visibility, which collectors often notice.