Obverse: Head of King George VI. Legend: 'GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX : F:D : IND : IMP'. Reverse: An oak tree and Royal crown supported by lions rampant, their heads turned away. Inscription: '1939', '1945'. Exergue: 'THE DEFENCE MEDAL'. Fitted with a bar and orange ribbon with pale green edges divided by a narrow black stripe. Mounted on a bar with seven others.

Awarded to Stoker P.O.Walter Herbert Ellis (1891-1971) who was born in Dover, the son of a railway worker. He joined the Royal Navy on 24 July 1909 and during the early part of World War I, served in HMS 'Tyne' - the depot ship for the 8th Patrol Flotilla of 23 torpedo boats protecting the entrance to the Thames estuary. From June 1916 he served in C-class destroyer HMS 'Bat' and from 11 November 1917 to 16 January 1918 in minesweeper HMS 'Liffey'. He was pensioned on 23 July 1931 and recalled on 18 January 1940. He spent the early part of World War II in Hunt Minesweeper HMS 'Fitzroy'. This vessel was sunk by a mine off Great Yarmouth on 27 May 1942. It is not clear if Ellis was on board, but most of the crew were picked up by 'Fisher Boy' of the Naval Patrol Service. Ellis finally left the Navy on 30 October 1945. He married Edith W. Hockley in 1928 at West Ashford, Kent.