Historical information

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.

Physical description

Miniature with ribbon.

Description of full size medal:

A circular, bronze medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The obverse has a bareheaded effigy of King George V, facing left, with the legend: GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP :
The reverse shows a merchant ship ploughing her way through stormy seas, an enemy submarine sinking and a sailing vessel 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 wreath.
The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and is coloured green, white (thin middle stripe), and red (represent starboard and port running lights with the masthead steaming light in the centre).