1914-15 STAR.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 3, 1 April 1920, Page 13

1914-15 STAR.

25, 0C0 TO BE ISSUED. Sufficient supplies having been recexved from the Imperial Government, ihe Defence Department has now commenced the issue of the 1914-15 star to members cf the N.Z.E.F. who are entitled to wear that proud distinction. It is estimated that. fully 25,000 stars will be issaed — the great bulk to surviving members of the N.Z.E.F. who left ihe Dominion in 1914 15, and the balance to the next-ol-kin o; legal representatives of ihe fallan. The stars are now being issuod at the rato of 250 per day. They are being sent out in alphabetical order, and it is estimated that the whole of the living men who are entitled to wear the decoration will receive theirs within ten weekg. The issue of the star to the next-of-kin of deeeasec! men or their legal representatives will then be commenced. Th.e star is in bronze, being about the size of a half-crown, and is four-pointed. On the' front appear crossed swords hui mounted by a crown, with the Royaj cypher at the foot. In the centre, which is raised, appears the date "1914-15." The star* on the back is being inscribed with the number, rank, initials, and name cf the wearer, and below with the lettens "N.Z.E.F." The War Office has sent out a special machine for stamping the name, etc., on the back. This task is being cnrried out by a small but expert sta.ff uf returned soldiers, who set the type, plaoe it in'a clip, and then pass the type and star through the machine. The star emerges plainly and suitably engraved. With each star the Department is issuing about nine inches of the 1914-15 ribbon i'ree of charge. As each man s claim to the star is established, he is notified by post that he is entitled to it, and asked if he would pre fer it by registered post or have it presented at a public parade. So far, of tho men notified, only about 1 per cent, have chosen the latter course, tlie remainiog 99 per eent, preferring private reeeipt th rough registered post, Tho staff is now engaged in isauing tlie star to men whose names start with the letter "C," 'Tfie "A's" and "B's" should already be m. rcee.i of U ' •