British War Medal
Full Size Ribbon (32mm)

This medal represents some of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare, the 1st day of the Somme offensive saw 60,000 allied casualties alone.

It was originally intended to award clasps for various battles and theatres of war, this was eventually abandoned due to cost and while the Navy clasps were actually authorised and are often seen in miniature, no clasps were actually issued.

Service in Russia, the Baltic, Black and Caspian Seas also qualified for this medal as did service in India although this service did not earn the Victory Medal.