George V of UK - 1919 Mercantile Marine Medal

Country: United Kingdom
King George V (1910-1936)
Type: War Medal
Year: 1919 
Mint: London Mint
Composition: Bronze
Weight: 24.7 g
Diameter: 36 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Grade: F15
Shape: Round (with hole)
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑

Commemorative issue:
Decoration of the World War I for the Mercantile Marine.

Obverse:
Barehead of King George V facing left. Engraver initials in the truncation.

Lettering: GEORGIVS V BRITT.  OMN: REX ET IND: IMP: 
S.M

Engraver: Sir Bertram Mackennal.

Reverse:
The reverse shows bows of a steamship with a sailing ship in the right background. There is a sinking submarine in the right foreground in between the right-hand wave and the sailing ship. Legend in three lines in exergue with the date of World War I. Initials of designer bottom right above the exergue.

Lettering: 
HS
FOR• WAR• SERVICE• 
MERCANTILE• MARINE 
•1914-1918•

Designer: Harold Stabler.

Edge:
Smooth. 

Comment:
This bronze medal was issued by the Board of Trade to commemorate the war services of the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine, as the Merchant Navy was then called, who served one or more voyaged through a danger zone.  It was given in bronze only to officers and men alike.

A few members of the Royal Navy were seconded for service with the Mercantile Marine to man defensive weapons between 4th August, 1914 and 31st December, 1915.  These men received the appropriate Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, as well as the Mercantile Marine Medal.

Certain members of the Mercantile Marine joined the Royal Navy between the above dates.  They also received the four medals.

Those who completed the whole of their service at sea with the Mercantile Marine, no matter for how long or between which dates, were only awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.

Service in costal trades – government cable ships, fishermen, lightships, pilots etc also qualified of this medal.

Source : https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/medals/mercantile-marine-war-medal

Source : https://en.numista.com/catalogue/exonumi...

Collection : Exonumia