How to Identify WWI and WWII British Campaign Medals

Across World Wars I and II, the UK awarded around 25 million medals. For many who have them, these are a point of pride, a symbol of the heroism within the family. But it can be difficult to tell where they came from, who the recipient was, or whether they hold any value beyond sentimental.

Identifying military medals correctly helps collectors and families understand and value these honours. We help collectors and families across the UK find the value of historic military awards. This guide shows how to identify campaign medals from both world wars, including particularly rare ones and check their current market value.

Identifying WWI British Campaign Medals

From 1914-18, millions of service members received medals for their service worldwide. First World War medals are often easy to identify by their unique curvature, intricate edge engraving, and colourful silk ribbons.

Collectors often call the three most common campaign medals Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred. The 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star is a four-pointed bronze star with a royal crown on top. The British War Medal shows King George V in silver, and the Victory Medal features Victory in bronze.

The British War Medal with King George is modelled from sterling silver, weighs nearly one troy ounce (around 31g) and feels quite heavy. Some examples are gilded over the sterling silver. Many recipients got two or three of these medals for serving overseas.

The 1914 and 1914-15 Stars have red, white and blue ribbons. Early 1914 Stars given to troops who served under fire in France may have a small bronze clasp that reads 5th AUG.-22nd NOV. 1914. The Victory Medal has a bright rainbow-striped ribbon and sometimes a small bronze oak leaf, which shows a “Mentioned in Despatches” award.

Examining Inscriptions for Awardee Information

First World War campaign medals commonly have the recipient’s details stamped along the outer rim. Army medals show the service number, rank, full surname and regiment. Naval medals list the recipient’s name, rating, official number and service branch.

A quick check of the rim inscription shows who received the medal and which unit they served in. Medals given to officers show their rank, name and regiment, but don’t include a service number. You can compare these details with official medal roll records at The National Archives or through online genealogy sites.

If a campaign medal lacks a name, it’s usually from the Second World War, unissued surplus or a later display reproduction. The latter two carry significantly lower financial value than genuine, named military awards. While unissued silver medals retain intrinsic scrap bullion value, base-metal replicas usually fetch only nominal amounts as replacement pieces.

Identifying WWII British Campaign Medals

Second World War medals look quite different from First World War medals and follow different rules for how they were given out. Most British campaign medals from the Second World War are either six-pointed stars or round cupro-nickel medals.

The War Medal 1939-45 and the Defence Medal are both round and have unique ribbon patterns. Originally, eight different campaign stars were made for specific areas of service, such as the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star and Pacific Star. In 2013, the Arctic Star was added retrospectively, bringing the total to nine campaign stars. 

The British government gave out millions of campaign medals to all branches of the military from 1939-1945.

Campaign Stars are six-pointed bronze stars with King George VI’s royal cypher in the middle. Some have small metal bars on the ribbon, like the Battle of Britain bar on a 1939–45 Star ribbon. General medals are made of cupro-nickel and don’t have recipient names on the edge.

Examining WWII Campaign Stars and Medals

Second World War stars are 44mm wide and have a crown above the royal cypher in the centre, with the campaign title around the edge.

The Defence Medal has two green stripes on either side of an orange stripe with two thin black lines, representing green fields and the Blitz. The War Medal 1939–45 shows a crowned lion standing on a double-headed dragon, all in cupro-nickel.

British WWII campaign medals were issued without names to British service personnel. Only official gallantry awards or medals issued to specific Commonwealth forces, like the Indian Army or South African forces, bear rim details.

How to Find Medals Awarded in WWII

To find out which WWII medals someone earned, you need official service records because most medals don’t have names on them. Without paperwork, family members can apply to the Ministry of Defence to get these records.

The original brown cardboard box often includes a small slip listing the medals awarded. Check family papers, discharge documents, paybooks and logbooks for more proof of awarded medals.

These official documents can show exactly which campaign stars and medals the service member received during their service.

Determining the Value of WWI and WWII Medals

The value of a medal depends on the recipient’s story, the medal’s condition, how rare it is, the military unit and whether you have full documentation. Typically, First World War medal pairs or trios usually sell for £50 to £200 today at auction. 

Medal groups for those who died in service often include a heavy bronze Memorial Plaque, called the Dead Man’s Penny. Medals from famous regiments, aircrew, submarines or for acts of bravery are worth much more to collectors. Complete sets of Second World War stars in their original boxes with entitlement slips are also in high demand.

We provide in-person assessments for military awards, medals and historical militaria across the UK. Contact our specialist team to arrange a fair valuation for your vintage military medals at your home, one of our local roadshows or at our flagship shop in Leeds.