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Medal for Bravery at Sea: CM.28-2005

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Artist: Wyon, Allan Gairdner
Issuer: Lloyds of London

Entities

Categories

Description

Although sailors of the Merchant Navy were in all ways at the front line of conflict in the Second World War, as casualties caused by submarines, mines and aircraft amply tell even without the ordinary dangers of traffic by sea, the British naval establishment had no awards that could be made for acts of bravery in the service, as opposed to campaign medals for service of all kinds in particular areas. In 1939 therefore the well-known maritime insurers, Lloyds of London, set up a committee to award such a decoration to seafarers who performed exceptional acts of courage at sea. The award was announced in December 1940, and the first issues made in March 1941. Awards continued until 1948, all for Second World War service, and the medal was thereafter discontinued. The actual medal was designed by Allan Gairdner Wyon, and this piece is a specimen in bronze; the Museum also has one in white metal.

Notes

History note: From the estate of the late Mrs Venetia M. Watson, daughter of the artist

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2005-01-31) by Watson, Philip Charles

Dating

1940-12 CE - 1941-03 CE

Note

Bronze specimen

Components of the work

Object composed of bronze Diameter 36.0 mm Die Axis 0 degrees Weight 27.87 g

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Male figure, nude except for cap, holding wreath in right hand, seated quarter left with head left, right elbow rested on seatback and left arm outstretched over background of sea through which merchant ship sails left

  • Text: AWARDED BY LLOYDS
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Stylised crown-like trident with wreath around, scroll before bearing inscription

  • Text: BRAVERY
  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.28-2005
Primary reference Number: 156547
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Thursday 30 June 2016 Last processed: Tuesday 13 June 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Medal for Bravery at Sea" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/156547 Accessed: 2024-04-25 00:47:08

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/156547 |title=Medal for Bravery at Sea |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-04-25 00:47:08|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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