Join our curator Chris Cooper in uncovering the history of medals and medal ribbons.
Two centuries ago, the Waterloo Medal recognised for the first time the individual acts of all soldiers in a conflict regardless of their rank or role, though other institutions had been awarding medals well before.
Join curator Chris Cooper as he explores the museum's collection of medals and medal ribbons, revealing a story that is about extraordinary feats, ordinary lives and striking anomalies.
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher. It was the decisive battle of its age.
In September 1917 Lieutenant Oliver Stewart of the Royal Flying Corps achieved the status of ‘ace’ on the Western Front, winning the Military Cross for his actions.