British War Medal 1914-20, awarded to Major Arthur O'Brien Ffrench Blake, 10th Battalion (Yeomanry), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Silver campaign medal with a portrait of King George V facing left with the inscription, 'Georgivs V Britt: Omn: Rex Et Ind Imp:', on the obverse and an equestrian figure of St George, trampling a shield bearing the Prussian eagle, on the reverse. Additional designs on the reverse include the years, '1914' and '1918', a skull and crossed bones representing death and a rising sun, representing victory. Orange corded silk ribbon edged with blue and white vertical stripes.

Ffrench Blake served as a Squadron Commander with the Royal East Kent Yeomanry at Gallipoli and in Egypt and Palestine. He was transferred to command 2nd/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in April 1918 and 1st/4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, in August 1918.

The British War Medal was awarded to all members of the British and Imperial military forces who completed 28 days mobilised service during 1914-1918. Although World War One ended in 1918, the qualification period for this medal was extended to cover post-war ordnance clearance and service in Russia during 1919-1920. Over six million of these medals were issued to British and Empire soldiers.

From medal group awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur O'Brien Ffrench Blake, 10th Battalion (Yeomanry, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).

From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.