British War Medal 1914-18

Obverse: Head of King George V (left). Legend: 'GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP:' Reverse: A Knight on horseback (right) a short sword in his right hand, trampling on the German shield, skull and cross-bones. Legend: '1914-18': Engraved on the edge: 'CAPT. O.M. MAKINS. R.N.' Fitted with a bar and orange watered silk ribbon edged with blue, black and white stripes. In original cardboard box of issue.

Oscar Matthew Makins (1872-1942) was born in Henley on Thames, the son of Sir William Thomas Makins, J.P., MP. a barrister, and Honorary Colonal of the 3rd Essex Artillery Volanteer Corps. Oscar Makins entered the Royal Navy as a 'Britannia' cadet on 15 July 1885. He was a lieutenant in HMS 'Hermione' from the 7 April 1898 to 15 August 1901 At this time the ship was deployed to the China Station during the Boxer Rebellion, but she played only a minor part in this conflict. Makins was promoted to the rank of Commander in June 1905 and retired with the rank of Captain on 31 October 1911. He was sent on training courses a few years later, in preparation for possible wartime roles. At the end of World War I, he was acting as a Naval Control Officer inspecting neutral vessels for 'illegal cargo' bound for Germany in contravention of the British blockade. He was in New York during 1918 and 1919 where a US record suggests he was also ' In charge of British Naval Intelligence'. Makins reverted to the retired list on 31 July 1919.

In 1909, he married Marienne Prescott Emily Valentina Hoyland in Istanbul. The couple lived in Westminster where Captain Makins died of appendicitis.

Object Details

ID: MED1332
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: War medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Mackennal, Edgar Bertram; McMillan, William
Events: World War I, 1914-1918
Date made: 1919
People: King George V; Makins, Oscar Matthew
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 36 mm
Parts: British War Medal 1914-18
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