Naval General Service Medal

Awarded to William Arthur Ellis, RN (1895-1970). Reverse: Head of King George VI crowned. Legend: 'GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX : F : D :I NDIAE : IMP.' Obverse: Britannia standing in a helmet, a trident in her right and a shield in her left hand, standing in a sea-car drawn by two horses. Bar: 'PALESTINE 1936-1939'. Inscription on edge: 'KX.91788 W.A. ELLIS. S.P.O. R.N.' Suspended from a clasp and white ribbon with rose-coloured edges divided by two narrow stripes of the same colour.

William Arthur Ellis was born on 6 January 1895, in Reading, Berkshire. After working as a labourer, he joined the Royal Navy on 5 March 1913 and re-entered on 2 February 1921. He spent most of his active service during First World War from 1917 to 1919 in HMS 'Kent' and in the interwar period in HMS 'Malaya' from 6 January 1922 to 25 November the same year. He re-entered the Royal Navy on 23 August 1937 as Stoker 1 (pensioner).By now a stoker Petty Officer, he received the Naval General Service Medal with a bar for services during the 1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine. Ellis's war medals also included an uninscribed set for service during the Second World War.

Object Details

ID: MED1242
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: War medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Winser, Margaret; Metcalfe, Percy
Date made: 1940
People: Ellis, William Arthur; King George VI
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 36 mm
Parts: Naval General Service Medal