Awarded to Surgeon Rear-Admiral Charles Marsh Beadnell CB (1872-1947). Gold enamelled cross. Uniface. Obverse: A shield of the stars and stripes with motto: 'OMNIA PRO PATRIA CARITATE' set on the centre of a red cross edged gold. Reverse: '688'. Suspended from a red ribbon with a broad central white stripe.

Charles Marsh Beadnell CB was born in Rawalpindi, the son of Major Charles Beadnell RA. He was educated at Cheltenham College and trained at Guy's Hospital. In 1896 he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon. Beadnell was interested in the technical side of medicine and personally bought an x-ray apparatus and devised an inflatable life jacket. In 1897 he was attached to American forces in the Philippines where he saw front line action. His naval service continued with the naval brigade of HMS 'Powerful' during the Boer War. He was mentioned in despatches for services at Graspan and was present at Stormberg and Paardeberg. During the first part of World War I, he served on cruiser HMS 'Shannon' in the North Sea, joining the torpedo school HMS 'Vernon' in 1917, being promoted to Surgeon Captain in that year. Promoted to Surgeon Rear-Admiral in 1922 he became head of Chatham Hospital and was made Companion of the Bath in 1924. The following year he was appointed Honorary Physician to the King. He retired in 1926. He was president of the Rationalist Press Association and requested no letters, no mourning and no flowers at his funeral.