Small Details Can Matter…

The British Victory Medal was instituted in September 1919, and awarded to all who served in the British and Empire Forces of WWI.

It was not awarded singly and is typically seen alongside the War Medal and/or 1914/14-15 Star, collectively referred to as Pip, Squeak & Wilfred.

Nearly six million Victory Medals were issued, and individual worth should be around £10.

The above medal has become split from any partners, though, from its inscription we see the recipient was one Private W.H. Hance of the 1/14th Battalion, London Scottish.

We also note his service number, 6609, and cursory research shows that Henry William Hance was killed in action on the 1st September 1916, the first day of the Somme.
Hance’s regiment was involved in a diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the day he fell. One of nearly 20,000 British soldiers who lost their lives on the first day of what remains one of the deadliest battles in human history.

Small details such as this can and do elevate items, with this single medal expected to take 5-10x as much.

This and more will be offered in our upcoming Militaria Auction…

For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation, visit our Glasgow Galleries or contact a specialist on 0141 810 2880 or auction@mctears.co.uk.