Allied Victory Medal 1914-19, and oakleaf, awarded to General Sir Cecil Macready

Circular, bronze medal designed by William McMillan with a figure of Winged Victory holding a palm branch on the obverse. On the reverse, the inscription, 'The Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919', within a laurel wreath. The medal is suspended from a double rainbow coloured medal ribbon with an oak leaf, denoting the recipient was 'Mentioned in Despatches'.

General Sir Cecil Frederick Nevill 'Make-Ready' Macready was born on 7 May 1862. The son of an actor, he was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders in 1881. He served in the Egyptian War of 1882, staying on with the military police in Alexandria until 1889. Macready was promoted to major in 1899 and served with the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902). A series of staff posts followed and Macready was involved in the formation of the Territorial Force and military aid to the civil power operations including the employment of soldiers during labour disputes and the deployment of troops to Ireland during World War One (194-1918). From 1920, through the closing stages of the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Irish Civil War, Macready held the post of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland.

The Allied Victory Medal was issued in bronze to all those who served in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. It was never issued singly, but always with the British War Medal.

From a group of orders and medals awarded to General Sir C F N Macready (1862-1946), Gordon Highlanders, Adjutant General to the British Forces and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Ireland, 1920-1922.