The Mercantile Marine Silver War Badge

 

The Silver War Badge was awarded by the Board of Trade to any Master, Officer or Seaman of ships of the  British Mercantile Marine in which the wages were paid by their owners. The Masters, Officers or Seamen who met the above conditions should prove that had remained incapacitated for service  in the Mercantile Marine through:

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An injury resulting from any act of hostility by or against the King's enemies.

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Illness or shock due to being torpedoed or under attack.

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Nervous, mental or physical "strain" due to war conditions.

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Some disease (e.g. malaria) resulting from employment on a ship on Government service in an unhealthy climate.  

 The badge was granted to  the applicant if he had been unable to work for at least 6 months and the Board of Trade were of the opinion that it was unlikely that he could go to sea within the duration of the War.

 

Source

- Article from Medal News: The Mercantile Marine Silver War Badge by Bill Fevyer; ; March 1991 (courtesy of Adrian Crotty)