medal, campaign

1914-15 Star

3/447 WO2 Andrew Black Steedman, New Zealand Medical Corps, 1NZEF

While serving on Gallipoli Andrew Steedman was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry rescuing and attending to wounded men under fire on 27th April 1915. He was also mentioned in despatches, LG 5 August 1915

3/447 Andrew Black Steedman, New Zealand Medical Corps (1888-1975)

Military service

Served: WW1: Gallipoli where awarded DCM MID. This was the first New Zealand DCM. Also served France, Western Europe. Final rank: WOII

WW2: home service.

Family: His son-in-law - see Sgt. Harold Mellsop, NZMoT, 1921-

Spink: 143 1914-1915 STAR

Documentation: Spink’s British Battles & Medals, p227

Name/title: medal, campaign

Other name: 1914-1915 Star / medal name

period: 5th August-22nd November 1914

General: A four pointed star having the uppermost point replaced by a crown and suspension ring. The star, crown and ring are stamped out together as a solid piece. Across the face are two crossed swords, the points and handles of which protrude between the points of the star.

Obverse: In the centre on a scroll is the date ‘1914-15’; this is surrounded by an oak wreath, on the bottom of which is superscribed a ‘G’ which encloses a ‘V’.

Reverse: Perfectly flat and plain except for the stamping of the recipient’s number, rank, name and regiment.

Size: height including suspension ring: 62mm; width: 44.5mm

Metal: bronze

Ribbon: 32mm wide. A watered ribbon of red merging into white which merges into blue.

Suspension: ring suspension

Designer: W.H.J. Blakemore

Naming: The recipient’s number, rank, initials, name and unit are stamped in block capitals on the reverse in three lines for officers and other ranks; stars to New Zealand naval recipients have the ship’s name in place of the RN, RNR, RNVR etc

Issue: The 1914 Star was authorised in 1918 and was awarded to those who saw service between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915. Those eligible for the 1914 Star were not eligible for the 1914-15 Star.

Approximately 2,366,000 stars were issued