Allied Victory Medal 1914-19, with oakleaf, awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards

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'.

Born in Brussels, Belgium, de Wiart enlisted in the 4th Dragoon Guards during the Boer War (1899-1902), seeing much action and being wounded in the stomach and groin. During World War One (1914-1918), attached to the Somaliland Camel Constabulary, he fought in Somaliland where he was again wounded, losing an eye and part of his ear. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order. A record of the award appears in the 'London Gazette' of 15 May 1915, 'For distinguished service in the field in connection with the operations against Dervish Forces at Shimber Berris, Somaliland, during the months of November 1914 and February 1915'.

Transferring to the Western Front in 1915, de Wiart lost a hand and was shot in the hip and ankle. In July 1916 he was commanding a battalion of the Gloucester Regiment at La Boiselle on the Somme when he won the Victoria Cross.

The Victory Medal was issued to all who had already received the 1914 or 1914-15 Stars and most of those who had the British War medal. Some six million are believed to have been produced. It is often known as the Allied War Medal because the same basic design and double rainbow ribbon were adopted by thirteen other Allied nations.

From a medal group awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart, KBE, CB CMG, DSO, VC, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards and Army Staff.