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Mercantile Marine War Medal, 1914-18: CM.1321-2009

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Issuer: Board of Trade
Artist: Stabler, Harold
Ruler: George V (1910-36)
Ruler: Georgivs V Britt: omn: rex et Ind: imp: (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

In Britain as with many other countries (including Switzerland) merchant vessels sailing under the national flag are reckoned as part of the naval command in time of war. The dogged service of the British Merchant Navy of the Second World War in the face of submarine and air campaigns against it was presaged by a similar effort during the Great War of 1914-1918. In 1919 this was recognised by the award of this bronze medal to officers and men of the Mercantile Marine who had served on one or more voyages through a designated Danger Zone. The medal depicts a pair of merchant steamers circling a sinking German U-Boat.
This medal was awarded to Alexander Dikson of the Merchant Navy, although it is not known on which ship he served. Lester Watson acquired it at some point before 1928.

Notes

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

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 29.21 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

1918 - 1919

Materials used in production

Bronze

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of George facing left

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

Inscription present: Merchant ships at sea circling sinking submarine

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1321-2009
Primary reference Number: 141415
Watson Catalogue: 227
Ordering: M-0204
Previous object number: LW.0204
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 15 January 2024 Last processed: Monday 15 January 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 (2024) "Mercantile Marine War Medal, 1914-18" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141415 Accessed: 2024-11-24 22:09:05

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141415 |title=Mercantile Marine War Medal, 1914-18 |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-24 22:09:05|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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        <figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">Mercantile Marine War Medal, 1914-18</figcaption>
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