What was the military medal awarded for in WW1?
It was awarded to other ranks (N.C.O. and Men) and was first instituted on 25 March 1916 during the First World War, to recognise bravery in battle.

The Military Medal was the equivalent to the
Military Cross (MC) which was awarded to commissioned officers.

Mentioned In Despatches 1914-1920:
The MID is a special clasp to signify a mention in despatches from the front.

Why is it awarded?
A member of the armed forces mentioned in dispatches (or despatches, MiD) is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which his or her gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy is described.

What does it look like?
It consists consisted of a single broad spray of oak leaves

How is it worn?
A member mentioned in despatches (MID) for service during World War 1 wears a bronze spray of oak leaves on the Victory Medal ribbon.

1917 CROSKELL, Athol Percival (SN 4762), Western Front
Military Medal and Bar on Military Medal

Athol began life in Frankston, 1884, in a community minded family. Athol himself took part in local sporting activities before he enlisted on 4 October 1915. Athol, a single man of 30 when he enlisted, was living with his brother Cyril Croskell, and together they managed a farm On March 7, 1916 Athol, in the 8th Battalion, embarked on board the Wiltshire with three other Clyde men; Harry BAILEY, Fred BRIDGEWATER, Herbert OWEN, and Tom RIDGWAY Standing taller than most men, at 5ft 10 in (177.7cm) he also stood tall in courage, initiative, bravery under fire. As a Sergeant he earned a Military Medal and a Bar to Military Medal while in France with the 8th Battalion

Military Medal
“During the operations east of YPRES on 20th September 1917, Sergeant. CROSKELL was in charge of a carrying party of twenty attached to the 2nd A.L.T.M. Bty., and whose duty it was to carry forward Stokes shells and charges. He arrived with his first party at the same time as the guns and immediately reorganised his party which had suffered casualties, and returned to CLAPHAN JUNCTION for a further supply of ammunition, continuing his trips to the dump until his party had been reduced to a strength of three”.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: 7 March 1918

Bar to Military Medal
'During the attack on ST. MARTIN'S WOOD near FOUCAUCOURT on the morning of the 23rd August, 1918, Sergeant CROSKELL showed great initiative and bravery in gathering small parties of men and clearing enemy posts and dug-outs. When the C.S.M. was wounded Sergeant CROSKELL took over the duties and proved of utmost assistance to his Company Commander in re-organising and consolidating. During the exceptionally heavy gas attack lasting five hours he repeatedly moved up and down the line encouraging the men by his coolness and through his efforts not one man was evacuated suffering with gas”.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: 15 September 1919

1917 William George Selway (SN 1499), Gallipoli and Western Front
Military Medal

Born in Essex, England, George Selway came to Australia in response to a plea for young men workers. Soon after his arrival War broke out and he enlisted ion 24th August 1914, almost three weeks after the outbreak of war and set sail for Gallipoli aboard the Southern on 20th October 1914. In 1918 he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred for service in France.

'On the night of 31st October/1st November 1917 during a very heavy Gas and H.E. bombardment of ANZAC RIDGE N.E. of WESTHOEK a Dugout at the Battery position was hit by a Gas shell. These N.C.O.'s at once - regardless of the falling shells dug out three men who had been buried, two of whom were dead. The third they put on a stretcher and carried him through the heavy barrage to an Aid Post, but on arrival he was found to be dead. These N.C.O.s showed great personal courage and set a splendid example in their heroic attempt to save these men's lives - regardless of their own safety.”
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918

George Selway took up dairy farming  on Moores Road Clyde following the war about 1927, became involved in community activities and retired to Pascoe Vale in the 1960’s.

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1917 Leslie Edwards  (SN 3285), Western Front
Military Medal

Clyde Primary School teacher, Leslie EDWARDS, originally from Longwarry, he taught from 1919 until 1926. Overseas he served with the Army Medical Corps, Special Reinforcements in Belgium.

1917 Nora Blanche Lehman, Middle East and Western Front
Mentioned in Despatches (MID)

Norah Lehman, the daughter of Kate and George Lehman, “Springmeadows” Thompsons Road, Clyde North served as a nurse both in Egypt and France.
During her time in France, as a Staff Nurse she was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh's Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field in the 1st Clearing Station in January 1917.
She was awarded the badge of Two Oak Leaves ( one large and one small).
Following her return to Australia during the 1919 Spanish Influenza epidemic Norah worked as the Matron for Cranbourne’s Emergency Hospital.
Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 29 June 1917, Page 1394, position 46

1918 Henry Harold Richards SN 9774, Western Front
Military Medal