61631-1919-Grant-of-War-Medals-to-members-of-the-Mercantile-Marine — Page 1

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 14, 1919. 475

No. 534.--The following notice issued by the Board of Trade to members of the Mercantile Marine and the Pilotage, Lighthouse, and Fishing Services, respecting (i) the grant of the British War Medal to the British, Dominion, Colonial, and Indian Mercantile Marine, and (ii) the grant of a Mercantile Marine War Medal for service at sea, is published for general information,

14th November, 1919.

War Medals.

CLAUD SEVERN,

Colonial Secretary.

I.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to signify his pleasure that the British War Medal which has been granted to His Majesty's Forces, be granted also to the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Mercantile Marine.

In the United Kingdom the Medal, in Silver, will be given to those who can supply such evidence as may be approved by the Board of Trade of having served at sea for not less than six months between the 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918, inclusive; and those entitled to receive it will include Licensed Pilots, Fishermen, and crews of Pilotage and Lighthouse Authorities' Vessels, and of Post Office Cable Ships.

In other parts of the Empire the qualifying service will be the same, but all details will be determined by the several Governments.

II.

His Majesty the KING has also been graciously pleased to signify his pleasure that a Mercantile Marine War Medal be granted to the persons specified in the previous para- graph, who are qualified for the British War Medal, and who, in addition, can supply such evidence as may be approved by the Authorities referred to in that paragraph of having served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone.

For this purpose a voyage through a danger zone means :-

(a) A voyage on a ship which entered or cleared a United Kingdom port, or a

French port, or a Mediterranean port;

(b) Such other voyages in other parts of the world as shall be specified in a

further notice.

The Medal will be in bronze, and the riband will be green and red arranged verti- cally, with a narrow white line between them.

III:

The Authorities referred to in paragraphs I and II will determine whether any appli- cant is disqualified for the Medals by reason of misconduct during the war.

IV.

Officers, men and women referred to in this Announcement who, whilst serving at sea, were captured by the enemy or lost their lives through enemy action or were pre- cluded by disablement through enemy action from further service at sea, before being able to complete their qualifying service for one or both of the medals, will be deemed to have qualified.

V.

The medals earned by deceased officers, men and women, will be issued to their legatees or next-of-kin entitled to receive them.

VI.

Instructions as to the submission of claims and other particulars will shortly be

issued.

BOARD OF TRADE,

July, 1919.