Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Carpenter Clement Frederick Mander (1871-1949) who served in the Trinity House vessel ‘Argus’. The ‘Argus’ was a steam tender of 653 tons launched in 1909. During World War I she operated with the Dover Patrol as a buoy working ship – highly dangerous work as there was always the possibility of hitting a mine. For example, another THV, ‘Alert’, was lost as a result of her anchor fouling a mine. On 21 May 1918, Carpenter Mander tried to prevent a leak of gas from a gasholder in the hold of the ship. However he was too late and the resulting fire gutted several stores and the apprentices’ half-deck. The fire was contained by the ship’s crew but Mander was badly hurt.

On the obverse face of the medal is the bust of George V in naval uniform and the inscription: ‘GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP’. On the reverse is the Royal crown above and a laurel wreath tied with a bow enclosing the inscription: ‘FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE’. On the edge of the medal is the inscription: ‘CARPENTER C.F.MANDER, 1916-1918 DOVER & THE DOWNS’. The medal is fitted with a bar and a dark blue ribbon with a broad white central band divided by a narrow dark blue stripe.