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: 'M.214 F.G.LE FEAVER S.B.S. R.N.' Fitted with a bar and orange watered silk ribbon edged with blue, black and white stripes. Mounted, on a bar with MED1180.

Fritz Gordon Le Feaver (1889-1965) was born in rural Kent, the son of a farmer, Charles Le Feaver. He joined the Royal Navy as a sick berth attendant, signing up for twelve years’ service in 1908. He spent his career working in shore bases and hospitals, initially at Haslar Hospital, Gosport then at the Royal Naval Hospital, Gillingham. During World War I, he served at the (Old) Naval Hospital, Gibraltar. After the war, he returned to Kent and the Royal Naval Hospital, Gillingham. In 1930 he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Briefly demobilised before to start of World War II, he was called up again shortly afterwords. He married Hannah Steel from Wortley, West Riding of Yorkshire in 1921. They had at least one child, a daughter called Sheila. She became a nurse and married a doctor.

Object Details

ID: MED1179
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: War medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Mackennal, Edgar Bertram; McMillan, William
Events: World War I, 1914-1918
Date made: 1919
People: King George V; Feaver, Fritz Gordon Le
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 36 mm