Pip, Squeak and Wilfred was a British strip cartoon created in 1919. During World War I, though, the names meant something entirely different! ‘Pip‘ was the nickname of the 1914 Star Medal, which was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the First World War. ‘Squeak‘ was the British War Medal, also awarded to all officers and men who had served between 1914 and 1920. And ‘Wilfred‘ was the British Victory Medal, given to those to had receeived he other two.
In the original comic strip, “Pip” a dog, “Squeak” a penguin, and “Wilfred” a rabbit were inseparable. And, iff someone in your family fought during WW1, it’s likely these three medals have remained together all this time, too. So, let’s learn more about these medals and the origin of their nicknames.
The Military Medals of WW1: Why Were They Awarded?
Medals were awarded in World War I (WWI) for various reasons, primarily to recognize and honor the bravery, sacrifice, and service of military personnel.
Medals such as the Victoria Cross (VC) in the British Empire, the Croix de Guerre in France, and the Medal of Honor in the United States were awarded to individuals who displayed exceptional bravery and valor in combat. These medals often recognized acts of heroism performed under fire or in exceptionally dangerous situations.
In some cases, medals were also awarded to soldiers for long and meritorious service, recognizing their dedication, discipline, and commitment over a period of time. These medals were typically awarded to those who had served for a certain number of years with good conduct. And others, like the Purple Heart in the United States, were awarded to soldiers who were wounded or injured in combat.
lastly, many soldiers received medals simply for their service in specific campaigns or theaters of war. These medals were often awarded to all personnel who served in a particular conflict or location, regardless of individual acts of bravery. Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred were all campaign medals.
Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred: The Comic Strip and Characters
The comic strip “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred” was immensely popular in Britain during World War I and well into the interwar period. It chronicled the adventures of these three characters, a dog, a penguin, and a rabbit, respectively.
The association of these characters with the medals became entrenched in popular culture, giving rise to the enduring nicknames for the awards. The use of these whimsical names provided a lighter touch to the serious business of honoring military service, and they remain a colorful aspect of British military history from the Great War era.
The Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred Medals
The Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred Medals, also known as the 1914 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal respectively, were awarded to British and Imperial military personnel who served during World War I. These three medals earned their distinctive nicknames due to their appearance and association with the popular comic strip characters.
The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Great Britain)
The Victory Medal (also known as Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire First World War campaign medal.
The 1914-1920 British War Medal
The 1914-1920 British War Medal (also known as ‘Squeak’) is a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during World War I.
The 1914 Star
The 1914 Star, ‘Mons’ Star or ‘Pip’ is a British Empire campaign medal instituted in 1917 and presented for service during World War I.
The 1914 Star (Pip): This medal, awarded to those who served in specified theaters of war between August 5th and November 22nd, 1914, featured a bronze star. It became known as the “Pip” due to its star shape, resembling the insignia of a “pip” in a playing card deck. The term “Pip” also alluded to a character named Pip, a dog in a British comic strip called “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred.”
The British War Medal (Squeak): This medal was awarded to those who served in any theater of war between August 5th, 1914, and November 11th, 1918, or who served in Russia between August 1918 and July 1920. It featured the allegorical figure of Victory on the obverse and a ribbon with orange, black, and white stripes. The medal earned the nickname “Squeak” because its colors resembled those of the comic strip character Squeak, a penguin.
The Victory Medal (Wilfred): This medal was awarded to all those who received the 1914 Star or the 1914-15 Star and to most of those who were awarded the British War Medal. It featured the winged figure of Victory on the obverse and had a rainbow-colored ribbon. The medal earned the nickname “Wilfred” as it was associated with the character Wilfred, a rabbit, from the same comic strip.
