James Graves joined the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) in 1909. He trained in the shore establishment HMS Defiance and in HM Ships Chatham, Hawke, Indomitable, and Irresistible. In 1914 he was mobilised for the First World War and was posted as a Stoker to HMS Pembroke. He was subsequently posted to HMS Neptune and was likely onboard during the Battle of Jutland in 1916. He served in Neptune for the remainder of the war and was demobilised from service in February 1919.
The 1914-15 Star was awarded to servicemen and servicewomen who served in the First World War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 in any “theatre of war”, provided they had not qualified for the 1914 Star. This included service at Gallipoli between 25 April 1915 and 31 December 1915, service in Egypt between 5 November 1914 and 31 December 1915, and service during the capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914. Those eligible for the medal must have “served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war” during the relevant dates of operations in that area. The ribbon’s red, white and blue shaded and watered bands represent the flag of the United Kingdom.
The British War Medal was instituted in 1919 to recognise the successful conclusion of the First World War (1914-1918). Its coverage was later extended to recognise service until 1920, recognising mine clearing operations at sea, and participation in operations in North and South Russia, the eastern Baltic, Siberia, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
