Lot 371: WWI Mercantile Marine War Medal named to Joseph Rastick

A British First World War Mercantile Marine War Medal, awarded for service at sea during the 1914-1918 conflict. The circular medal is struck in bronze and features a swivel suspension. The obverse depicts the bareheaded effigy of King George V facing left, surrounded by the abbreviated Latin legend GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:. The reverse shows a merchant steamship traversing heavy seas, with a sinking submarine and a sailing vessel visible in the background. At the base of the reverse is the inscription FOR WAR SERVICE MERCANTILE MARINE 1914-1918. The edge of the medal is officially named in impressed block capitals to JOSEPH RASTICK. It is suspended from its original-style ribbon, consisting of three equal vertical stripes of green, white, and red, representing the port, starboard, and steaming lights of a vessel. The item is accompanied by a handwritten collector’s identification slip indicating the recipient was born in Hull in 1902 and notes service with the 1/5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. A small white adhesive inventory tag numbered 9703 is attached to the ribbon.