UNDERSTANDING THE MEDAL CARD
The Medal Index Cards come in a number of designs and are often marked with abbreviations and some of these are listed below. The following descriptions are for the most frequently seen designs.
The top half of a Medal Index Card (MIC) always contains the personal data of an individual; usually name, rank(s), number(s) and unit(s). It is this information that gives each person an unique identity.
In the top left hand corner should be the surname and below this the forename(s) and/or initial(s).
The lower half of the card provides the medal entitlement and in many cases remarks concerning the career or fate of the individual.
The top half of a Medal Index Card (MIC) always contains the personal data of an individual; usually name, rank(s), number(s) and unit(s). It is this information that gives each person an unique identity.
In the top left hand corner should be the surname and below this the forename(s) and/or initial(s).
The lower half of the card provides the medal entitlement and in many cases remarks concerning the career or fate of the individual.
DESIGN 1
The left hand side of the card contains a list of the campaign medals an individual was entitled to. To the right of these are the Army Medal Office (AMO) references to the original medal rolls for each of the medals. Below this, you might find information regarding the operational theatre first served in and the date the individual entered that theatre. In many cases this part of the card is blank, which usually means that the individual went to France in 1916 or later.
DESIGN 2
On the right hand side of the card to the left, the personal data of the individual, is an area where remarks may be found. In this area, you will find information such as initial commission dates for those commissioned from the ranks after qualifying for their medal(s), date of death, whether the individual was a prisoner of war and in many cases the date a soldier was discharged. Also in this area the original AMO issue and receipt voucher information may also be recorded.
On the MICs for those who received a 1914 Star, the card may also be marked "Clasp and Roses" or just "Cl". This denotes that an individual received the dated clasp to go on the ribbon of the 1914 Star, or a silver rosette to go on the ribbon when only medal ribbons are being worn.
On some cards the note "EMB" or "Emblems" may be found, which denotes that an individual had been "Mentioned in Despatches" (MID) and that at least two "oak leaf" MID emblems had been sent to the recipient.
The second most common MIC design contains all of the same data as the first card but the difference being that the medal roll information is in the top right hand corner, not the left. The entire lower half of the card is left free for any remarks
On some cards the note "EMB" or "Emblems" may be found, which denotes that an individual had been "Mentioned in Despatches" (MID) and that at least two "oak leaf" MID emblems had been sent to the recipient.
The second most common MIC design contains all of the same data as the first card but the difference being that the medal roll information is in the top right hand corner, not the left. The entire lower half of the card is left free for any remarks
DESIGN 3
The third most common design of MIC is one that was used for those individuals who received the "Silver War Badge" (SWB) only. This card, whilst retaining all of the data about an individual also gives the date of enlistment, date of discharge and reason for discharge. The MIC will also give the SWB roll reference.
Abbreviations :Alphanumeric codes were noted on the cards. If there is no alphanumeric code next to Theatre of War then...The codes for personnel who saw their first operational service from 1 January 1916 onwards, differ slightly from those personnel who saw operational service before this date. For example, France and Belguim would be noted as 1 up to 31 December 1915 and as 1a from 1 January 1916.
Up to 31 December 1915
1 Western Europe
From 1 January 1916
1 Western Europe
a France and Belgium
b Italy
Up to 31 December 1915
1 Western Europe
From 1 January 1916
1 Western Europe
a France and Belgium
b Italy
3 Russia (4 - 5 August 1914 to 1 - 2 July 1920)
4 Egypt
a 4 - 5 November 1914 to 18 - 19 March 1916
b 18 - 19 March 1916 to 31 October - 1 November 1918
4 Egypt
a 4 - 5 November 1914 to 18 - 19 March 1916
b 18 - 19 March 1916 to 31 October - 1 November 1918
2 Balkans
a Greek Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and European Turkey
b Gallipoli (Dardanelles)
a Greek Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and European Turkey
b Gallipoli (Dardanelles)
5 Africa
a East Africa, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia
b South West Africa
c Cameroon
d Nigeria
e Togoland
a East Africa, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia
b South West Africa
c Cameroon
d Nigeria
e Togoland
6 Asia
a Hedjaz
b Mesopotamia
c Persia
d Trans Caspia
e South West Arabia
f Aden
g Frontier regions of India
h Tsingtau
a Hedjaz
b Mesopotamia
c Persia
d Trans Caspia
e South West Arabia
f Aden
g Frontier regions of India
h Tsingtau
7 Australasia
a New Britain
b New Ireland
c Kaiser Wilhelmland
d Admiralty Islands
e Nauru
f German Samoa
a New Britain
b New Ireland
c Kaiser Wilhelmland
d Admiralty Islands
e Nauru
f German Samoa
ARZ : Class Z Army Reserve. In December 1918 soldiers being demobilised were first posted to Class Z. They could return to civilian life but knew they were obliged to return if necessary. The Z Reserve was abolished on 31 March 1920.
C l : An individual had been sent a dated clasp. This clasp would go on the ribbon of the 1914 Star, or a silver rosette would go on the ribbon when only medal ribbons were being worn
Comm : Commissioned
EMB or Emblems : An individual had been "Mentioned in Despatches" (MID) and at least two "oak leaf" MID emblems had been sent to the recipient
KiA or Killed: If a soldier died in action, it is often marked on the card. Sometimes it will just say "Dead" but occasionally it will not be noted at all.
KR 392 : King's Regulation 392 which covered causes of early discharge whether through ill health, misconduct or other reasons
Rep : Replaced. This is an unusual comment implying that the index card was replaced at some point
Retd or Rtd (sometimes "Retd undisposed of") Returned : If there was an error in the inscription, the medals would have to be returned to the Medals Office. Another reason for return was if the individual had moved house and the parcel was not deliverable.
TE or T/E or T of E Time Expired. : This is when the soldier had reached the end of his agreed period of military service. It applies only to pre-war soldiers of the regular army or Territorial Force. These men were allowed to go home but from 1916 many TE men returned to active service as conscripted soldiers.
C l : An individual had been sent a dated clasp. This clasp would go on the ribbon of the 1914 Star, or a silver rosette would go on the ribbon when only medal ribbons were being worn
Comm : Commissioned
EMB or Emblems : An individual had been "Mentioned in Despatches" (MID) and at least two "oak leaf" MID emblems had been sent to the recipient
KiA or Killed: If a soldier died in action, it is often marked on the card. Sometimes it will just say "Dead" but occasionally it will not be noted at all.
KR 392 : King's Regulation 392 which covered causes of early discharge whether through ill health, misconduct or other reasons
Rep : Replaced. This is an unusual comment implying that the index card was replaced at some point
Retd or Rtd (sometimes "Retd undisposed of") Returned : If there was an error in the inscription, the medals would have to be returned to the Medals Office. Another reason for return was if the individual had moved house and the parcel was not deliverable.
TE or T/E or T of E Time Expired. : This is when the soldier had reached the end of his agreed period of military service. It applies only to pre-war soldiers of the regular army or Territorial Force. These men were allowed to go home but from 1916 many TE men returned to active service as conscripted soldiers.
