THE 1914-15 STAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2092, 19 February 1920, Page 1

THE 1914-15 STAR.

DECORATION BEING ISSUED. The Defence Department has now commenced to issue to members of the New 'Zealand Expeditionary Force, who are entitled to wear the distinction, the 1914-15 Star. It is estimated that some 25,000 stars will be issued to surviving members of the force, and to the next- of-kin or legal representatives of deceased soldiers." The stars are being distributed at the rate of 250 per day. It is estimated that all surviving 1914-15 men will receive their stars within 10 weeks, after which the issue to the next- of-kin of deceased men or their legal representatives will be commenced. About the size of a half-crown,'' the star is made of bronze, and is four-pointed. On the front there are crossed swords, surmounted by a crown, with a Royal cypher at the foot. In the raised centre appears the date “1914-15,” and on the back -there is space for the inscription of the number, rank, initials, and name of the wearer; below this the letter's “N.Z.E.F.” are to be inscribed. A .special niaehiue has been sent out by the IVar Office for stamping

the name, etc., on the back of each star, and this work is being carried out by a small staff of returned soldiers. With each star the Defence Department is supplying about nine inches of the 1914-15 ribbon free of charge.., So far, of the men notified, only about 1 per cent, have chosen to receive their decorations on public parade, the remaining 99 per cent, having preferred private receipt by registered post.