Reserve Decoration 1910-1936

Awarded to Capt. Ronald Neil Stuart, VC, DSO, RNR. A badge. Within a cable tied in a knot below (silver) the royal cipher G.R. in the form of a monogram, a small 'V' within it, a royal crown above, (all silver gilt). Fitted with a loop and ring and green ribbon (R.N.R.) In fitted case of issue.

Ronald Neil Stuart (1886-1954) came from a long line of seafarers. After serving his apprenticeship, he worked first for the Allen Line and then for Canadian Pacific after it took over the former company. During the First World War, he was promoted Lieutenant RNR in September 1916. He served in Q -ships...merchantmen with concealed arms, intended to provoke attack by German submarines to be followed by a British counter attack. His senior officer Gordon Campbell commanded the Q-ship 'Pargust'. She successfully sank UC.29 on 6 June 1917. The Victoria Cross was awarded to the whole ship. The men involved could ballot for one officer and one seaman and chose Lieutenant R N Stuart DSO RNR and seaman William Williams DSM RNR. Stuart won the US Navy Cross whilst in command of Q-sloop 'Tamarisk' when he stood by the US destroyer 'Cassin' after she had been torpedoed by a U-boat on 15 October 1917 and towed her back to harbour. After the war, Stuart kept up a career both in the RNR becoming a captain in 1935, and with Canadian Pacific. He captained the 'Empress of Britain' and became Commodore of the Canadian Pacific fleet. He left the sea in 1938 and became general manager of Canadian Pacific in London until he retired in 1951.

Object Details

ID: MED1257
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Long service award
Display location: Display - Forgotten Fighters
Creator: Garrard & Co. Ltd
Date made: 1910
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Presented by R.N. and Ian W. Stuart, 1970.
Measurements: Overall: 53 mm x 35 mm
Parts: Reserve Decoration 1910-1936