History of the Medal The front side of the medal shows the winged, full- length, full-front, figure of ‘Victory’ with her left arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand. The reverse shows the words ‘THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919‘ surrounded by a laurel wreath. The medal had a ribbon attached to it ugh Joseph’s medal is missing this. These were first de of silk but cotton was increasingly used as the entieth century progressed. (See photograph.) The recipient's name, rank, service number and unit were impressed on the edge of the medal. The name of the regiment or corps was omitted on medals awarded to Army officers.