Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Richard G. Meek, cook (Merchant Navy), while serving on the ‘Duchess of Hamilton’. The block citation in the ‘London Gazette’ 14 July 1916 reads as follows: ‘The Commissioners of the Admiralty have received with much satisfaction from the officers in charge of the Auxiliary Patrol areas at home and abroad reports on the services performed by the officers and men serving under their orders during the period 1 January 1915 to the 31 January 1916. These reports show that the officers and men serving in Armed Yachts, Trawlers and Drifters of the Auxiliary Patrol during the period in question have carried out their duties under extremely arduous and hazardous conditions of weather and exposure to enemy attack and mines with marked zeal, gallantry and success.’

The ‘Duchess of Hamilton’ was a paddle steamer built by Denny for the Caledonian SP Co. operating on the Clyde. She was requisitioned by the Admiralty in February 1915. Firstly employed as a transport she then became a minesweeper and was sunk after hitting a mine off Harwich 29 November 1915.

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: ‘R.G.MEEK. COOK. (MM) DUCHESS OF HAMILTON. AUX.PATROL 1915-6’. 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.