KevinB Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I was having a chat with a friend whose grandfather fought in WW1 and was killed in a gas attack. When talking about medals she said he had 2 star medals. I have seen them and sure enough both were awarded to Edward Gallagher but they have different numbers on them. I thought only one star medal was awarded and before 1915 at that. Anyone any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysander Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 There were two "Star " medals awarded during the Great War. The 1914 or "Mons Star" was awarded for service between 5 Aug and 22 Nov 1914.( the period of the Battle of Mons) The 1914-15 Star...sometimes known as "Pip", was a more widely awarded medal for service between 5Aug 1914 and 31 December 1915 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thanks! I knew someone out there would know. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Just one more point. The two numbers are different. One matches his regimental number, the other doesn't. Anyone know why? Anything to do with a re-numbering exercise? Is it possible to say which medal was the Mons medal and which one was the "pip" medal? Are they different in any way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart0742 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Hi Kevin What Regiment was he in What numbers do you have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysander Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 The 1914 and 14-15 stars are of a similar design. The former bearing the date "1914" and was awarded to those fighting on the Western Front whilst the latter shows "1914-15". The later medal was issued to those who had fought in any other theatre of war and was never issued on its own, always being accompanied by the British War medal and the Victory medal ...hence "pip" "squeak" and "wilfred" It would seem that the reason for the differing numbers is because no person could have both medals...it was one or the other ....so the medals( with the numbers), almost certainly, must have gone to two individuals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History dude Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Is this him! Edward Gallagher Death Date: 12 Jun 1917 Death Location: France & Flanders Enlistment Location: Sheffield Rank: Private Regiment: York and Lancaster Regiment Battalion: 1/4th (Hallamshire) (T.F.) Battalion Number: 200546 Type of Casualty: Killed in action Theatre of War: Western European Theatre If it is his war record shows that he was killed in action on the 12 June 1917. He lived at 263 Duke Street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Yes this is him. The number you quoted is on one of the star medals. The number on the other one is 12817. The other difference between the star medals is that the one with the latter number has yorks regiment. The other one has yorks and lancs regiment. His service record gives his number on joining in 1914 as 2225 and when asked whether in service previously said yes 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History dude Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 There's a full service record on Ancestry. If you want it I can pull it off. I was looking at it and he was reported missing before being declared. There are however some big holes in some of the papers as these were rescued from being bombed in WW2. His widow was awarded a pension too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 After talking with family realise that most likely reason for 2 star medals for E Gallagher is that there were 2 E gallaghers! Edward and Ernest - will check out Ernests number but pretty sure this is explanation as Ernest was un married and likely that his medal finished up with his sister- in- law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart0742 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Medal Index Card for Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart0742 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Medal Index Card for Edward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Thanks. I guess that just about sorts things out. Thanks very much to all contributors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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