Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Able Seaman Robert John Squires RFR (1883-1959) while serving on HMS ‘Princess Margaret’. The citation was published in the ‘London Gazette’ 1 October 1917. The ‘Princess Margaret’ was built as a merchant vessel for the Canadian Pacific Line by W. Denny in 1914. She was hired by the Admiralty in December 1914, converted to a minelayer and armed with two 4-inch and two 3-inch guns and 400 mines. She was purchased outright in 1919 and took part in operations in the Baltic. She was sold for breaking up in 1929.

On the obverse 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: ‘215816 R.J.SQUIRES, A.B.H.M.S.PRINCESS MARGARET’. It is fitted with a bar and a dark blue ribbon with a broad white central band divided by a narrow dark blue stripe. It is mounted on a bar with four others: 1914-15 Star (MED2592), British War Medal 1914-18 (MED2593), Victory Medal 1914-18 (MED2594) and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Royal Navy 1910-1930 (MED2595).