British War Medal 1914-18

Obverse: Head of King George V (left). Legend: 'GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP:' Reverse: A Knight on horseback (right) a short sword in his right hand, trampling on the German shield, skull and cross-bones. Legend: '1914-18'. Inscription on edge: 'LIEUT. C.H. ALLEN. RN'. Mounted court style on a bar with six other medals.

Charles Henry Allen DSO, RN (1890-1962). Allen was a submarine officer and was awarded the DSO in recognition of his services on ‘E-42’ during World War I when he made a successful attack on the German battle cruiser ‘Moltke’ 25 April 1918. Allen was promoted to Commander in 1926 and subsequently commanded ‘X1’, at that time the largest submarine in the world, launched in 1923. He was promoted Captain on the retired list in 1940 and died in 1962.

Object Details

ID: MED1165
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: War medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Mackennal, Edgar Bertram; McMillan, William
Date made: 1919
People: Allen, Charles Henry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 36 mm