Research your First World War Stories: The 1914 Star.
You may possess a picture of an ancestor wearing this distinctive medal, but what is it ?
The 1914 Star or the 'Mons Star' was authorized by King George V in April 1917 for those who had served in France or Belgium between 5th August 1914 to 22nd November 1914 inclusive.
The award was open to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces, doctors and nurses as well as those in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Navy Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who served ashore with the Royal Naval Division in France or Belgium.
A narrow horizontal bronze clasp sewn onto the ribbon, bearing the dates '5th AUG. - 22nd NOV. 1914' shows that the recipient had actually served under fire of the enemy during that period.
The reverse is plain with the recipient's service number, rank, name and unit impressed on it.
Sikhs were some of the very first combatants to enter the war and were responsible for assisting the French to hold back the German army while new recruits could be trained and equipped.
Collectively, they fully deserve a great deal of honour for their part in the first sixteen weeks of the Great War.
This included the battle of Mons, the retreat to the Seine, the battles of Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne and the first battle of Ypres. There were approximately 378,000 1914 Stars issued.
Picture and text credits: found here