A Token of Lincoln’s Gratitude

With the Great War finally over in 1919, communities across Britain looked for ways to thank the men and women who had served. Many towns and cities produced local tribute medals as public tokens of gratitude and remembrance.

This example was presented by the citizens of Lincoln on August 30th, 1919.

The front of the medal reads “Served in the Great War” with the dates 1914–1919. Its design brings together symbols of service on land, sea and air, including a field gun, naval ship, aircraft and airship. In the foreground, a kneeling soldier receives a laurel wreath from a classical figure representing victory.

The reverse reads “Token of Lincoln’s Gratitude” and carries the city arms with the motto “Civitas Lincolniensis”.

The medal is housed in its original leather-covered presentation case. The lining inside the lid reads:

Presented
by the Citizens
of Lincoln
August 30th, 1919

Around 4,000 of these medallions were presented in mid-1919, making them an important civic tribute from the city to those who served.

Some tribute medals were also produced in gold, usually in much smaller numbers. These were often funded by a local lord, lady or benefactor, and were sometimes named or regimentally numbered to the individual recipient.

This is a particularly complete survivor, retaining both the medallion and its original fitted case.