Reward for Zeal

Obverse: Head of Czar Nicolas II (left). Legend (In Russian script): 'H.M. Nicolas II, Emperor and Ruler of all Russia'. Reverse: an oakleaf and olive spray tied with ribbon (left) inscription (right) (In Russian script): 'For Zeal'. Inscription on edge 'S.S.2327. S.C. JOSEPH, A.B. H.M.S. JUPITER'. Fitted with a loop and ring and suspended from a bright red ribbon edged with yellow.

HMS 'Jupiter' 1895 was deployed to Arkhangelsk as an icebreaker in 1915 and was the first ship to arrive there so early in the year (Alexandrovsk 20 February, Arkhangelsk 27 March). Stanley Charles Joseph (1889-1961) served as a rating in the Royal Navy from 1908-1919. He worked as a boatswain after the war and a rigger in 1939. Stanley was born in Bristol, the son of George James Anthony, a seaman born in Cardiff in 1861. Stanley's mother, Mary Elizabeth came from Liverpool. In later life George Joseph ran a marine store. Two of Stanley Charles's brothers, Francis and Ernest also entered the Navy and his brother Harry, a fireman in the 'Llandovery Castle', died as a result of a submarine attack in 1918.

Stanley Charles Joseph married three times - to Beatrice Bryant in 1915, to Florence G Bryant in 1931, and to Beatrice F. Penny in 1952. He had at least two children - Stanley Joseph born 1925 and Beatrice Ellen born in 1916.

Object Details

ID: MED0688
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Reward medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Vessels: Jupiter (1895)
Date made: ca.1915
People: Joseph, Stanley Charles; Tsar Nicholas II of Russia
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 28 mm