1914 Star : Private G Lynch, Royal Munster Fusiliers

1914 Star with a '5th AUG -22nd NOV.1914' bar. The recipient's number, rank, name and regiment are impressed on the reverse. A four pointed star having the uppermost point replaced by a crown and suspension ring. The star, crown and ring are stamped out together as a solid piece. Across the face are two crossed swords, the points and handles of which protrude between the points of the star. Obverse: In the centre on a scroll is the date '1914'; on two further scrolls, one above and one below the date are the months 'AUG' and 'NOV'. The three scrolls are surrounded by an oak wreath, on the bottom of which is superscribed a 'G' which encloses a 'V'. Reverse: Flat except for the recipient's details on three lines. A piece of 32 mm watered ribbon of red merging into white which merges into blue is attached to the fixed suspension ring. The small rectangular bronze bar has small holes in the corners and is sewn onto the ribbon.

Awarded to Private G Lynch of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers who served in France and Belgium between 5 August and midnight on 22/23 November, 1914. The 2nd Battalion received many casualties at Etreux during the retreat from the village of Mons and was the only battalion of the regiment to qualify for the 1914 Star. The bar, which was sanctioned by the King in October 1919, indicates that Private Lynch was 'under fire' during or between the above dates. The 1914 star and bar are often incorrectly referred to as the 'Mons Star' and the 'Mons bar'. Recipient's of the bar were entitled to wear a small silver rose on the ribbon when the star itself was not worn. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916 and his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.