Mercantile Marine War Medal
1919
The Mercantile Marine War Medal was instituted by the British Board of Trade and approved by King George V in 1919 to recognise the dangers faced by merchant sailors running the risk of being attacked by enemy forces at sea. It was authorised for Canadian merchant sailors on 8 May 1920 and there were 624 issued to Canadians. The medal was awarded for one or more voyages through a danger zone or service at sea for no less than six months between 4 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. No period of service was required if the recipient hade been killed, wounded, or made prisoner by enemy action. Recipients of this medal were also eligible for the British War Medal 1914-1920.