Awarded to Lieutenant Commander Basil Nugent Downie RN (1893-1959). 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 five others.

During World War I Downie served with the British Submarine Flotilla in the Baltic. In command of the submarine ‘C-26’ he endeavoured to sink two Konig class battleships in the Gulf of Riga in October 1917. Unfortunately the attack failed and Downie was forced to dive and remain submerged while the Germans dropped depth charges for over two hours. Finally he managed to surface and bring his submarine into Pernau. It was for this action that Downie was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The son of Cecil Wynne, a wholesale chemist in Tynemouth, Downie entered the Navy on 15 January 1906. A Lieutenant from 30th September 1915, he commanded submarines from 1917 until 1924. He was promoted Lieutenant-Commander in 1925 and retired with the rank of Commander in 1934. The end of the 1930's saw him attending a transport officers training course but his career during World War II was blighted by ill-health.