British War Medal 1914-20, awarded to Lieutenant John Bonamy Rhys Challen, 26th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex 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 year, '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.

John Bonamy Rhys Challen (1895-1966) enlisted in London in 1915, aged 19. He was wounded at Cambrai on the Western Front in 1917. Challen was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in September 1918, during the Salonika campaign.

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 a collection of medals, ribbons, ribbon bars and badges, awarded to Lieutenant John Bonamy Rhys Challen MC, 26th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).