Defence Medal 1939-45

Obverse: Head of King George VI. Legend: 'GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX : F:D : IND : IMP'. Reverse: An oak tree and Royal crown supported by lions rampant, their heads turned away. Inscription: '1939', '1945'. Exergue: 'THE DEFENCE MEDAL'.

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: MED1167
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: War medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Paget, Thomas Humphrey
Events: World War II, 1939-1945
Date made: ca.1945
People: King George VI; Allen, Charles Henry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 36 mm