Transport Medal
Award
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The Transport Medal was a British campaign medal sanctioned on 8 November 1903[1] and awarded by the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty. It was awarded to masters and officers[a] of merchant ships employed by the Transport Service to move troops to either South Africa during the South African War or to China during the Boxer Rebellion.[3][4] The officers of hospital ships also qualified.[1]
| Transport Medal | |
|---|---|
 Obverse and reverse of medal | |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Awarded for | Campaign service |
| Description | Silver disk 36 mm wide |
| Presented by | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Eligibility | Mercantile Marine officers |
| Clasps |
|
| Established | 1903 |
| Total | 1,719 |
 Ribbon: red with two blue stripes | |
It was intended that the medal would be awarded for any future campaign where a medal was issued to the troops taking part, but it was not awarded again after the South Africa and China wars.[5][6]
The medal, 1.4 inches (36 mm) in diameter, is silver and has a plain straight swivel suspender. The obverse bears the head of King Edward VII in Royal Navy uniform, with the inscription EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR.[1]
The reverse depicts HMS Ophir beneath a map of the world with, below, the words in Latin OB PATRIAM MILITIBUS PER MARE TRANSVECTIS ADJUTAM which translates as for services rendered in transporting troops by sea.[3]
The recipient's name, although not his rank or ship, is impressed in block capitals on the rim of the medal.[1] However for those who were ship masters the notation "IN COMMAND" was added after their names.[7]
The 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide ribbon is red, with a blue stripe towards each edge.[1]
Clasps
- S.AFRICA 1899–1902
- For services related to the South African War, 13 September 1899 – 31 October 1902.[2]
- CHINA 1900
- For services related to the Boxer Rebellion, 1 June 1900 – 31 December 1901.[2]
The officers of 117 transports and eleven hospital ships qualified, with a total of 1,719 medals awarded: 1,219 with the 'S. Africa 1899-1902' clasp, 322 with the 'China 1900' clasp and 178 with both clasps.[b]