*British, c.WW1, George V Territorial Efficiency Medal, Named to 3704044 Pte. J. James, 4th Battalion King’s Own Royal Regiment*
An original George V Territorial Efficiency Medal awarded for long and efficient service in the Territorial Force. The medal is the standard circular silver issue bearing the left-facing bust of King George V with the legend: “GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:” The reverse carries the earlier Territorial Force wording: “TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY MEDAL”, confirming this is the pre-1921 Territorial Force pattern, rather than the later “Efficiency Medal (Territorial)” introduced in 1930. The rim is officially impressed: 3704044 PTE. J. JAMES. 4–KING’S OWN R. A correctly named and fully attributable example to a soldier of the 4th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Regiment (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
The medal is suspended from its original ribbon of dark green with yellow edge stripes and fitted with ring suspension.
Historical Note:
The Territorial Efficiency Medal was instituted in 1908 and awarded to members of the Territorial Force in recognition of long and efficient service, normally requiring twelve years’ qualifying service, with periods of wartime service counting at an accelerated rate.
This example is named to 3704044 Private J. James, 4th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Regiment. Official long-service medal roll entries recorded under Army Order 100 of 1930 and preserved within the National Archives registers (WO 102/33) confirm the award of the Territorial Efficiency Medal to this soldier.
Although authorised in 1930, the medal itself is the earlier Territorial Force pattern, indicating that James’s qualifying service commenced prior to the 1921 reorganisation when the Territorial Force became the Territorial Army. This strongly suggests pre- or wartime Territorial service.
Archival sources further confirm that Private James served with the King’s Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment during the First World War, with entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, demonstrating overseas service during the Great War. His later Territorial Efficiency Medal therefore represents continued service following the war, reflecting the common career path of Great War veterans who remained in, or re-joined, their Territorial battalions during the inter-war years.
The service number 3704044 falls within the post-1920 renumbering sequence applied to Territorial units, confirming his continued association with the 4th Battalion after the introduction of the new numbering system. Taken together, the evidence indicates sustained part-time military service spanning the First World War and into the inter-war Territorial Army period.
Medals to the King’s Own Royal Regiment are sought after by regimental collectors, particularly where confirmed First World War service can be directly linked to later long-service recognition.
*Condition*
The medal remains in very good overall condition with clear portrait detail and fully legible naming. Light surface marks and minor contact wear consistent with age and handling. The original ribbon shows service wear, including fraying to the upper edge and period stitching from previous mounting. Suspension and ring intact. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
Named George V Territorial Efficiency Medal to 3704044 Pte. J. James, 4th King’s Own Royal Regiment, a confirmed First World War veteran with later Territorial long-service award.
