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'. Uninscribed. Awarded to Ralph Herbert Thomas Curram RNVR. Fitted with a bar and orange ribbon with pale green edges divided by a narrow black stripe. Mounted on a bar with eleven other medals.

Ralph Herbert Thomas Curram (1892-1974) was born in Hackney, London and worked for the Post Office as a sorting clerk and telegraphist. He joined the RNVR in 1911 and served throughout World War I. He was briefly in the Royal Naval Division until April 1915. From 16 May 1915 to 5 October 1917, he served in the armed cruiser HMS 'Otranto', then stationed on the west coast of South America. He was promoted Yeoman of Signals from 28 December 1918. He remained in the RNVR London Division between the wars as Commissioned Signal Boatswain from 1936 and Signal Lieutenant from 1941. During World War II he worked in various training establishments until his retirement in 1944. He was postmaster of the House of Commons branch office from 1948 until 1954 when he retired. He married Phyllis Toy in July 1926.