British War Medal 1914-1920
1919
The medal was awarded to all ranks of Canadian overseas military forces who came from Canada between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, or who had served in a theatre of war. Those who had enlisted in the Overseas Military Forces of Canada in the United Kingdom and had not served in a theatre of war were not entitled to this medal.
Unlike Army and Air Force personnel, Naval personnel were required to have 28 days of mobilized service or to have lost their lives before this period of service was complete. Seamen of the Canadian Merchant Marine who served at sea not less than six months, and crews of Dominion Government Ships and the Canadian Mercantile Marine were also eligible.
Some soldiers only received the British War Medal and not the Victory Medal. This occurred when the soldier served overseas in England but did not reach France or Flanders on the nominal roll of a front-line unit before the Armistice on 11 Nov 1918
However, all gallantry medals recipients would also receive the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Of the 6,500,000 British War Medals issued, 427,993 were awarded to members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.