Mercantile Marine War Medal
Encyclopedia
The Mercantile Marine War Medal was awarded by the Board of Trade
of the United Kingdom to members of the Merchant Navy
for one or more voyages through a war or danger zone during the course of World War I
.
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
of the United Kingdom to members of the Merchant Navy
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
for one or more voyages through a war or danger zone during the course of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Description
- A circular, bronze medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The obverse has a bareheaded effigy of King George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
, facing left, with the legend: GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP : - The reverse shows a merchant shipMerchant vesselA merchant vessel is a ship that transports cargo or passengers. The closely related term commercial vessel is defined by the United States Coast Guard as any vessel engaged in commercial trade or that carries passengers for hire...
ploughing her way through stormy seas, an enemy submarineSubmarineA submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
sinking and a sailing vesselSailing shipThe term sailing ship is now used to refer to any large wind-powered vessel. In technical terms, a ship was a sailing vessel with a specific rig of at least three masts, square rigged on all of them, making the sailing adjective redundant. In popular usage "ship" became associated with all large...
in the background. The base of the reverse has the inscription FOR * WAR * SERVICE / MERCANTILE MARINE / * 1914 - 1918 * in three lines. Around the edge of the rim is a laurel wreathLaurel wreathA laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...
. - The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and is coloured green, white (thin middle stripe), and red (represent starboard and port running lightsRunning lightsOn vehicles, running lights are designed to increase visibility while moving. It may refer to:* Automotive lighting, for running lights for cars* Bicycle lighting, for running lights for bicycles...
with the masthead steaming light in the centre).