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Distinguished Service Medal: CM.1199-2009

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An image of Distinguished Service Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: George V (1910-36)
State: United Kingdom
Ruler: GEORGIUS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND IMP: (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

The Distinguished Service Medal was instituted in 1914 at the same time as the Distinguished Service Cross; like that award it recognised conspicuous gallantry at sea in the face of the enemy, but was awarded to those below the rank of officer. In 1993 this distinction was erased and the DSM discontinued.
This example was awarded to Leading Seaman J. E. Knights of the Auxiliary Patrol. He served aboard HMS Erna, a drifter taken up as an anti-submarine patrol vessel at the start of the Great War of 1914-1918. She continued in service for a few years after the War, but as the Auxiliary Patrol did not, Knights's award was presumably made, as is almost required for the issue of the medal, in war service.
Lester Watson purchased the medal from the London dealers Baldwin at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Baldwin before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 35.9 mm
Weight: 34.73 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

1910 - 1928

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of George facing left

  • Text: GEORGIUS V BRITT. OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Laurel wreath around inscription with crown above

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1199-2009
Primary reference Number: 141293
Watson Catalogue: 90
Ordering: M-0082
Previous object number: LW.0082

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Distinguished Service Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141293 Accessed: 2025-12-05 17:48:05

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141293 |title=Distinguished Service Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 17:48:05|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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