Allied Subjects' Medal

The Allied Subjects' Medal was a British decoration, distributed by the Foreign Office, to citizens of allied and neutral countries who gave assistance to British and Commonwealth soldiers, mainly escaped prisoners of war, behind enemy lines between 1914–1918.[2] Originally instituted in 1920, delays caused by discussions within Government on the precise form and design of the award meant that it was only manufactured and distributed in 1922.[3]

Allied Subjects' Medal
Obverse and reverse of medal
Awarded by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
EligibilityCivilians of allied and neutral countries
Awarded forHelping British servicemen behind enemy lines
Campaign(s)World War I
DescriptionCircular, 36 mm (1.4 in) in diameter
Statistics
Established1920, distributed 1922
Total awarded134 in silver and 574 in bronze

Ribbon, 25 mm (1 inch) wide[1]

The medal was awarded in silver and bronze, most to Belgian and French citizens,[1] although Danish, Dutch and other nationals also received the award.[2] In total, 134 silver and 574 in bronze medals were awarded, nearly half (56 silver and 247 bronze) to women.[4] In addition, 28 further foreign nationals who had rendered notable assistance received honorary appointments to the Order of the British Empire, while about one thousand others received letters of thanks for their services.[3]

Both the silver and bronze medals are 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter and of the same design. The obverse bears the left facing bare headed effigy of King George V with the inscription "GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:". The reverse shows a female allegory of Humanity offering a cup to a British soldier resting on the ground, with ruined buildings in the background. It was awarded unnamed.[1]

The medal has a ring suspension. The 25 millimetres (1.0 in) wide ribbon, which incorporates the French and Belgian national colours, is red with a light blue centre, flanked by stripes of yellow black and white.[4]

In France and Belgium, it was generally referred to as Médaille de la Reconnaissance britannique or Médaille de la Reconnaissance anglaise, after the Médaille de la Reconnaissance française.[5]

In the Second World War the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom took its place.

Sources
  1. P. E. Abbott and M. A. Tamplin (1981). British Gallantry Awards. London: Nimrod Dix and Co. pp. 29–30. ISBN 9780902633742.
  2. "War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War". The National Archives. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  3. P. E. Abbott and M. A. Tamplin (1981). British Gallantry Awards. London: Nimrod Dix and Co. pp. 25–28. ISBN 9780902633742.
  4. John Mussell (ed) (2015). Medal Yearbook 2015. Honiton, Devon: Token Publishing. p. 102. ISBN 978-1908828002.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  5. Philippe Nivet (2014). La France occupée 1914-1918 [Occupied France 1914-1918] (in French). Armand Colin. ISBN 9782200292409. Retrieved 2018-01-22.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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