Philip Conlon chose….

Peace medal 1919

I have chosen this medal due to its historical significance and because of my interest in international relations and military history. It also seems appropriate with Coventry often referred to as the City of Peace and Reconciliation.                            

The way history entwines and causes and consequences are unravelled and debated fascinates me. One such debate is around the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 in being a cause of the Second World War, a treaty which this medal essentially celebrates. It is ironic that a peace treaty is debated as a cause of war, but if it did contribute to the Second World War, then there is ample argument that the conclusion of the Second World War itself contributed to the Cold War. The peace of 1919, arguably set the global agenda for the rest of the 20^th century, and I find this great chain of events extraordinary. Of course causes, consequences and theories are always up for debate and interpretation. 

Philip Conlon is the Friends Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator for the Herbert

What the curator says:

Peace medal 1919

This peace celebration medal was issued to commemorate the role played by Coventry and its citizens in the First World War. The reverse of the medal has the following inscription:

War Record

men serving – over 30,000

munitions supplied - £40,500,000

The Armistice of 11 November 1918 brought the fighting to an end, but the war did not officially end until the signing of the Versailles Peace Treaty on 28 June 1919.  Many towns and cities held celebrations around this time.