The 1914 -1915 Star:   Army

 Entitlement as per Army order 20 of 1919 and later amendments

      To all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses and others employed with military hospitals, who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war as defined below. The medal was awarded for services rendered in these theatres of war between the 5th August, 1914 and the 31st December, 1915, both dates inclusive.

 

For the purpose of this order the definition of " Theatres of War " will be as follows :
 

1. Western European Theatre.—Included all operations in France and Belgium from midnight 22/23 November, 1914.

2. Balkan Theatre.—To include all operations in:—

    (a) Greek Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria, from 5th October, 1915.

    (b) Gallipoli and islands of Aegean Sea from 25th April, 1915.

3. Egyptian Theatre.—Included all operations against Turco-German forces from 5th November, 1914; also operations against Senussite forces in Western Egypt and on the borders of Cyrenaica from 3rd November, 1915, but excluding operations for which the Sultan's Sudan Medal has been awarded.

 Note.—(i) Personnel of the Egyptian Army, including British personnel, and personnel of the British Army stationed in Egypt before 5th August, 1914, were only eligible for the award of the Star if they were employed in Egypt (exclusive of the Sudan) between 5th November, 1914 and 31st December, 1915, both dates inclusive, on duties which were outside the normal peace-time work of the Egyptian Army, or of the British Army in Egypt, respectively, and for which the need arose from the fact of the above operations being in progress.
   (ii) Troops which arrived in Egypt subsequent to 5th August, 1914, and previous to midnight 4th/5th November, 1914, were eligible for the Star if they served on the establishment of a unit (exclusive of a unit referred to in (i) of this Note) in Egypt (exclusive of the Sudan between 5th November, 1914, and 31st December, 1915, (both dates inclusive).
   (iii) Troops which arrived in Egypt between 5th November, 1914 and 31st December, 1915 (both dates inclusive), were eligible for the Star if they served on the establishment of a unit (exclusive of a unit referred to in (i) of this Note) in Egypt (exclusive of the Sudan) between those dates.
   (iv) The term Egypt (exclusive of the Sudan) was held to mean Egypt north of a line east and west through, but including Assouan.

4. African Theatre.—Included all operations set forth below but excluding local military operations against native tribes or rebels:—

    (a) In British East Africa, German East Africa, Rhodesia, Nyasaland and Uganda, from the 20th August, 1914, within an area bounded as follows:—
    On the north by the Uganda Railway from the sea to Port Florence and Kisumu (including the whole of all towns actually on the railway), thence along the northern shore of Lake Victoria to the mouth of the Katonga River, thence along a line of that river to Lake George.
    On the west by the western shores of Lake George, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika to Moliro; thence by the Northern Rhodesian—Congo border to Lake Mweru and along the Luapula River to the 12th parallel.
    On the south by the 12th parallel to Lake Nyasa, thence along the western, southern and eastern shore of Lake Nyasa to the boundary between Portuguese and German East Africa, thence along that boundary to the sea.

   (b) In German South-West Africa and the 12th and 13th Military District of the Union of South Africa, provided that service was performed on the establishment of a unit in any one of the following forces between 20th August, 1914 and the 9th July, 1915 :-

    Northern Force—Commanded by General The Right Honourable Louis Botha.

    "A" Force—Commanded by Brigadier-General H. T. Lukin, c.m.g., d.s.o.

    "B" Force, Southern Force and Southern Army—Commanded on different dates by Major-General The  Honourable J. C. Smuts and Brigadier-General J. L. van Deventer.

     Central Force—Commanded by Brigadier-General Sir D. McKenzie, k.c.m.g., c.b., d.s.o.

     Eastern Force—Commanded by Colonel S. A. L. Berrange, c.m.g.

    (c) In Kamerun and that part of Nigeria east of a line from the southern extremity of Lake Chad through Maiduguri, Tola, Bakundi, Takum and Ikom (these places inclusive), thence eastwards along the Cross River to the Nigeria-Cameroons frontier, from the 24th August, 1914.

    (d) Within the boundaries of Togoland from the 7th August, 1914 to 26th August, 1914.

    (e) In the Caprivi Zipfel, Rhodesia, by the troops assembled at Sesheke in 1914, under the command of Lieut-Colonel A. E. Capell, D.S.O., and by the scouts on duty about the Okavango River, under the command of Major R. Gordon, d.s.o., in July, 1915.

5. Asiatic Theatre.—Included all operations:—

    (a) In Mesopotamia from 6th November, 1914 and at Bushire from 28th June, 1915.

    (b) At Shaik Said (South-West Arabia) on 10th November, 1914.

    (c) Conducted by Aden Field Force from 3rd July, 1915.

    (d) At Muscat in Gulf of Oman, under the command of Colonel S. M. Edwardes, D.S.O., in January, 1915.

    (e) In Seistan, under the command of Lieut-Colonel J. M. Wikeley, 28th Light Cavalry, in 1915.

    (f) In the Tochi Valley, including the whole of the North Waziristan Political Agency and Barajat, between 28th November, 1914 and 27th March, 1915, both dates inclusive.

    (g) Near Hafiz Kor, within the area bounded on the south by the left bank of the Kabul river, and on the east by a line from Adozai to Tangi, both places included, under the command of Major-General C. F. G. Young, from 14th to 19th April, 1915, and under the command of Major-General F. Campbell, c.b., d.s.o., between 29th August, 1915 and 10th October, 1915, all dates inclusive.

    (h) Carried out by the troops at Katlang, Rastam and Swati, under the command of Brigadier-General N. C. Woodyatt, between 17th and 31st August, 1915, both dates inclusive.

    (i) On the Landakai Ridge, north of a line east and west from, but exclusive of Malakand, under the command of Brigadier-General W. G. L. Beynon, c.b., d.s.o., between 21st and 31st August, 1915, by the Malakand Movable Column, which advanced from Chakdara Camp.

    (j) At Perim, on 14th and 15th June, 1915, under the command of Captain A. G. C. Hutchinson, 23rd Sikh Pioneers.

    (k) At and south of Mastung, in the Kalat State, between 1st June, 1915 and 10th July, 1915, both dates inclusive.

    (l) In the Kachin Hills, within an area bounded on the north latitude 26° 30'; on the east by the River Mali Kha, from where it cuts 26° 30' to the confluence, and thence by Irrawaddy until it cuts 25° 15' on the west by longitude 96° ; on the south by latitude 25°; between 31st December, 1914 and 26th February, 1915, both dates inclusive.

   (m) At Tsing-Tau, between 23rd September, 1914 and 7th November, 1914, both dates inclusive.

6. Australasian Theatre.—Included all operations in:—

    (a) German New Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago as follows:—

        (i) New Britain from 11th September, 1914 to 21st September, 1914.

        (ii) New Ireland from 16th September, 1914 to 18th October, 1914.

        (iii) Kaiser Wilhelm-Land on 24th September, 1914. (iv) Admiralty Islands on 21st November, 1914.

    (b) Nauru on 6th November, 1914.

    (c) German Samoa on 29th August, 1914.

 

 

 

 

The 1914 -1915 Star:  Navy

As per Admiralty orders

 

     Provided the claims are approved by the Admiralty, and subject to the limitations below, the star will be granted to the following :
     (a) All officers and men of the R.N., R.M., R.N.A.S., R.N.R., R.N.V.R., R.I.M. and Dominion naval forces, who were mobilized and served (1) at sea, or (2) on shore within the theatres of military operations,

     (b)
Trained pilots and observers and men of the R.N.A.S. employed in flying from naval air stations on overseas patrols,
    
     (c)
Mercantile marine officers and men serving under special naval engagements (Form T.124 and its variants),


     (d)
Canteen staffs who have served in a ship of war at sea.

    The following service does not qualify : (a) Service in depot ships, except those which go to sea ; boom defence vessels, examination vessels and other craft employed on harbour service. (b) Service at shore bases and depots, except those within theatres of active military operations, (c) Service of a temporary and special nature in ships of war or theatres of operations e.g., casual inspections and inquiries, purchase of material, passage, etc.

Desertion or dismissal with disgrace since the date of the qualifying service forfeits the decoration.

The decoration earned by officers and men deceased will be issued to their legatees or next of kin entitled to receive them.

 

For the purpose of this order the definition of " Theatres of War " will be as follows :

1. Western European Theatre  — To include all operations in France and Belgium from midnight, 22-23 November, 1914.

2. Eastern European Theatre To include all operations in

     (a) Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria from 5 October, 1915 ;

     (b) Gallipoli from 25 April, 1915, including the Aegean Islands, etc.

3. Egyptian Theatre — To include all operations against Turco-German forces from 5 November, 1914 ; also operations against Senussite forces in Western Egypt and on the borders of Cyrenaica ; from 3 November, 1915, but excluding operations for which the Sultan's Sudan Medal has been awarded.

4. African Theatre — To include all operations set forth below, but excluding local military operations against native tribes or rebels.

    (a) British East Africa, German East Africa, Rhodesia, Nyassaland and Uganda, and African lakes, from 20 August, 1914.

    (b) German South- West Africa and on the adjacent borders of the Union of South Africa, from 20 August, 1914, to 9 July, 1915.

    (c) Kamerun and on Nigeria frontier, from 24 August, 1914.

    (d) Togoland, from 7 August, 1914, to 26 August, 1914.

5. Asiatic Theatre To include operations

   (a) In Mesopotamia, from 6 November, 1914 ; and

   (b) At Tsing-tau, from 23 September, 1914, to 7 November, 1914.

6. Australasian Theatre To include all operations in

   (a) German New Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago as follows :

  
(i) New Britain, from 11 September, 1914, to 21 September1914.

   (ii) New Ireland, from 16 September, 1914, to 18 October,1914.

   (iii) Kaiser Wilhelm Land, on 16 September, 1914. (iv) Admiralty Islands, on 21 November, 1914.

   (b) Nauru, on 6 November, 1914.

   (c) German Samoa, on 29 August, 1914.
   

NOTE — Officers and men of the Plymouth and Chatham Battalions Royal Marine Light Infantry who took part in the landing at Sedd ul Bahr and Kum Kale (Dardanelles) on 4 March, 1915, are also eligible.
 

 
 

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