British Empire Medal awarded to Reginald Vernon Dowler (1879-1959). Dowler was a steward of the New Zealand Shipping Company liner 'Rimutaka' when she carried troops during WWII. His BEM (Civil) was gazetted on 11 June 1942. The medal is made of silver and on the obverse face is Britannia with a trident and shield with the sun above. It is inscribed, ‘FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE’ and below the design, ‘MERITORIOUS SERVICE’. Inscribed on the reverse of the medal between four lions is the Royal Cypher with a crown above and the legend ‘INSTITUTED BY KING GEORGE V’. Inscribed on the edge: 'REGINALD VERNON DOWLER'. Suspended by oak leaves from a bar and rose-pink ribbon edged with pearl-grey. On a stiff mount with hook and pin. The medal is contained in a box from Carrington & Co. Ltd, 170 Regent Street.