| The first British campaign
of the First World War, the fighting retreat from Mons to the river
Marne, was conducted by units of the regular army. These experienced troops, the 'Old
Contemptibles', as they became known, received a special campaign medal,
the 1914 Star, (commonly referred to as the 'Mons Star', and not to be
confused with the 1914-15 Star which was received by thousands of
Australian servicemen) for their service in France and Belgium between 5
August and 23 November 1914.
A
number of associations were formed post-war by the recipients of the
1914 Star. Although very few Australians qualified for the medal, a
large number of English veterans emigrated in the post-war years, and
formed their own associations in this country. This badge (above left) was owned by
Captain William Coe of the Royal Artillery, who had seen pre-war service
in India and later served throughout the First World War, and in Russia
in 1919. He migrated to Australia in the 1920s, and died in Sydney in
1946.
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