Obverse: Winged Victory standing (front), a palm branch in her right hand, her left arm outstretched. Reverse: Within a laurel garland, Inscription: 'THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION. 1914-1919'. Inscription on edge: '1 COMMR. J.G. SUTHERLAND. R.N.R.' Fitted with a ring and watered silk ribbon of rainbow hues with an oak leaf emblem on ribbon.

John Georgeson Sutherland was born in 1871 in Waterford, Ireland. during the early part of his career in the merchant service, he served in RMS 'Empress of China' (Canadian Pacific). Following naval training he was promoted Sub-Lieutenant RNR 22 August 1898, Lieutenant 20 February 1904 and Commander on 16 August 1914 before active wartime service. He started out in HMS 'Dolphin' the headquarters of the submarine service and later was in charge of minesweeping trawlers. In 1922 he published 'At Sea with Joseph Conrad' which recounts his time in Q-ship HMS 'Ready'(Conrad made a twelve-day voyage in this vessel in 1916). Following his retirement with the rank of Captain In 1919, he returned to the merchant service. Sutherland was removed from the retired list in 1954.