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': Engraved on the edge: 'HERBERT A. VINE'. Fitted with a bar and orange watered silk ribbon edged with blue, black and white stripes. In original envelope of issue. Inscription: 'BRITISH WAR MED issued to The Mercantile Marine' and original card box numbered ZBA8021 which also contains MED1357 and MED1358 inscription: 'VINE HERBERT A', with certificate (Form WM2) giving authority to wear the medals and ribbons.

Herbert Augustus Vine (1869-1953) was born in Marylebone, London. In the 1911 census he is described as a 'ship's fireman - sludge vessels'. In 1939, he is described as a 'retired engineer'.
He married Ann Quye or Luye on 25 December 1890 in East Ham and they remained living in Essex. In 1947, he remarried Minnie S. Ham (formerly Cope).