Flotsam And Jetsam

The first British Army standard service medals awarded alongside the first foreign issued campaign medal awarded to British Forces.

The Military General Service Medal (MGSM) 1793-1814 - was a retrospective award issued only in 1847-50 after much debate and public anger over lack of recognition for service personnel's deeds in war. A total of 24 'Battle Bars' were issued with it and some old soldiers had as many as 15 bars awarded so show the extent of their combat record. The centre medal is the Waterloo 1815 Medal, that was issued almost immediately and brought the issue of the lack of the former even more into focus - but that was still 'kicked into the long grass' for 30 years!!! The final one is the 1801 Sultan of Turkey Medal for the Egyptian Campaign - Issued in gold for officers and silver for NCO's. It was the first of a long-line of foreign awards permitted to be worn in uniform up until the strange decision by the Foreign Office to longer no permit them in 1991 - 190 years after this one was first issued!

Salute the Brave: Cpl. Joseph Gregg, 10th Bn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. MM*. Military Medal, with 2nd award bar, 1914-15 Star , War Medal and Victory Medal.

The Military Medal was the 3rd highest award for bravery for Enlisted Men in the British Army (1916-93).

This artwork is titled "Easy Rider - Stars, Stripes, and Clouds"

by artist Matt Taylor

Wembley Stadium

1923

Maxwell Ayrton and Owen Williams

Clapton Stadium

1939