Territorial Force Medal

This medal was authorised by Army Order 143 and was awarded to members of the Territorial force who were members of the service on 4 August 1914 and to those who had completed 4 years service before 4 August 1914, as long at they had rejoined on or prior to 30 September 1914.

In addition to the above, to be eligible for this medal the recipients also had to have:

Undertaken on or before 30 September 1914 to serve outside the UK.

Had served outside of the UK during the period August 1914 - 11 Nov 1918 (not necessarily in a theatre of war).

If you had qualified for either the 1914 Star or the 1914-1915 star, you were not eligible for this medal. The medal was never awarded by itself and is usually seen with the British War Medal or with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, in which case it is worn after the Victory Medal.

The medal is made of bronze and is 1.42" in diameter. The Obverse bears an effigy of King George V with the words "GEORGVIS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:" The reverse has the words "TERRITORIAL WAR MEDAL" around the upper outer edge and "FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICES OVERSEAS 1914-1919" in the centre surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The ribbon is watered gold silk, with two dark green stripes and is 1.25" wide. The suspender is of the straight economy non-swivelling type and is riveted to the medal.

Only 34,000 medals were issued, which makes it the scarcest of the First World War medals, which is why it commands a high price in auctions.