Mercantile Marine War Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mercantile Marine War Medal |
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| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Eligibility | Merchant Marine mariners |
| Awarded for | Campaign service |
| Campaign(s) | First World War |
| Description | Bronze circular medal |
| Clasps | None |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1919 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | British War Medal |
| Next (lower) | Naval General Service Medal (1915) |
 Ribbon bar |
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The Mercantile Marine War Medal was a special award created in 1919. It was given to sailors and officers of the British Mercantile Marine (which later became the Merchant Navy). These brave people worked at sea during the First World War.
Contents
Why the Medal Was Created
During World War I, from August 5, 1914, until the war ended on November 11, 1918, many British merchant ships and fishing boats were sunk. This happened because of enemy attacks. Sadly, thousands of sailors lost their lives.
The Mercantile Marine War Medal was made to honor these sailors. They were trained for peaceful sea travel, but they kept working even though it was very dangerous. They risked their lives to keep supplies moving during the war.
Who Could Get the Medal
Sailors could get this medal if they made one or more trips through a dangerous war zone. They also qualified if they served at sea for at least six months between August 4, 1914, and November 11, 1918.
Even people working in coastal areas, like pilots, fishermen, and lightship crews, could earn it. If a sailor was killed, wounded, or captured by the enemy, there was no minimum time they had to serve.
Everyone who received this medal also got the British War Medal.
Other Medals for Sailors
Some members of the Royal Navy (the official navy) helped on merchant ships. They could get the Mercantile Marine War Medal plus other war medals.
Sailors who moved between the Mercantile Marine and the fighting services (like the army or navy) could also get the Victory Medal. They might also get the 1914 Star or 1914–15 Star. However, if someone only served in the Mercantile Marine, they would not get the Victory Medal or the "Star" medals.
In total, 133,135 Mercantile Marine War Medals were given out. About 624 of these went to Canadians.
What the Medal Looks Like
The Mercantile Marine War Medal is a round bronze medal, about 36 millimeters wide. It hangs from a straight bar. The sailor's name is carved around the edge of the medal.
Front of the Medal
The front of the medal is the same as the British War Medal. It shows a picture of King George V. Around the edge, it says "GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:". This means "George V, King of all the British Isles and Emperor of India".
Back of the Medal
The back of the medal shows a merchant steamship sailing through big waves. In the background, there's a sailing ship, and an enemy submarine is sinking. At the bottom, it says "FOR•WAR•SERVICE", "MERCANTILE•MARINE", and "•1914–1918•". A laurel wreath (a symbol of victory) goes around the whole picture.
The Ribbon
The medal hangs from a colorful ribbon. It is 32 millimeters wide. It has a wide green stripe, a thin white stripe in the middle, and a wide red stripe. These colors represent a ship's lights: green for the right side, red for the left side, and white for the masthead light in the center.
Memorial Plaque and Scrolls
If a sailor or officer died because of enemy action, their family received a special memorial plaque and a memorial scroll. They also got a message of sympathy.
The Memorial Plaque is a large bronze medallion, about 4.75 inches wide. It shows Britannia (a symbol of Britain) with two dolphins and a lion. Around the edge, it says "HE*DIED*FOR*FREEDOM*" and "*AND*HONOVR". The name of the person who died is written in a box above the lion's head. This plaque was made to remember the sacrifice of over a million people who died in the war.
Condolence Message
The message that came with the plaque was from King George V. It said: "Buckingham Palace. I send you this Memorial on behalf of my people and myself. We all desire that the brave and loyal service of the Mercantile Marine in war-time shall be gratefully recorded, and that the names of those who gave their lives for us shall be handed down with honour from one generation to another. (Signed) George RI".
Memorial Scroll
The memorial scroll was a special paper that honored the sailor. It said: "This scroll is written to honour that great company of our men who though trained only to the peaceful traffic of the sea yet in the hour of national danger gave themselves with the ancient skill and endurance of their breed to face new perils and new cruelties of war and in a right cause served fearlessly to the end. And this is written further to ensure that among the rest shall be ever freshly remembered the name and service of... (full name)."
Order of Wearing Medals
When someone wears multiple medals, there's a specific order they should be placed in. For the First World War medals, the order is:
- The 1914 Star.
- The 1914–15 Star.
- The British War Medal.
- The Mercantile Marine War Medal.
- The Victory Medal (United Kingdom).
- The Territorial War Medal.
Medals in South Africa
In 1952, South Africa created its own military awards. These new South African medals were worn before most older British medals. However, the Victoria Cross always came first. For the World War I medals given to South Africans, the Mercantile Marine War Medal was worn after the British War Medal and before the Victory Medal.
- It was worn after the British War Medal.
- It was worn before the Victory Medal (South Africa).
See also
- Sea Gallantry Medal: another medal given by the Board of Trade
