Ministry of Marine Gold Medal

Obverse: Head of France with diadem (left). Legend: 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE'. Reverse: An oval shield with inscription having as supporters a female figure (left) holding a laurel branch, and Mercury (right) with caduceus, both standing on a pedestal decorated with an olive branch (centre). Legend: 'MINISTERE DE LA MARINE'. Inscription: 'A J.W. ABBIS SECOND CAPITAINE DU MARAVILLA. COURAGE ET DEVOUEMENT 1890'. On Edge: 'OR'. Fitted with a loop and ring and tricolour ribbon.

John William Abbis (1864-1930) was born in 1864 in Burley in Wharfedale son of Jessie and Elizabeth. He gained a certificate to act and 2nd Mate in 1886 and a First Mate's certificate in 1890. He was awarded a gold medal from the French Ministry of Marine in 1890 while serving on the iron barque 'Maravilla' 1865 of Liverpool. He was still employed at sea during World War I and died in Liverpool in 1930.