Sea Gallantry Medal
Encyclopedia
The Sea Gallantry Medal (officially 'The Board of Trade
Medal for Saving Life at Sea'), is an award for civil gallantry at sea in Great Britain
and the Commonwealth. The Merchant Shipping Act 1854
permitted the issue of this award and SGMs were first struck in 1855. They were first awarded either for 'humanity' (where there was little risk to the life of the recipient), or for gallantry (where there was significant risk to the recipient).
Recipients are entitled to the post-nomial "SGM". There have been two awards of the Sea Gallantry Medal (Bronze) since 1974: one in 1981 and the other in 1989. No Sea Gallantry Medals (Silver) have been awarded since this time.
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
Medal for Saving Life at Sea'), is an award for civil gallantry at sea in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and the Commonwealth. The Merchant Shipping Act 1854
Merchant Shipping Act 1854
The Merchant Shipping Act 1854 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was issued on 10 August 1854.It introduced the keeping of official numbers for registered ships, and revised calculations of tonnage...
permitted the issue of this award and SGMs were first struck in 1855. They were first awarded either for 'humanity' (where there was little risk to the life of the recipient), or for gallantry (where there was significant risk to the recipient).
Recipients are entitled to the post-nomial "SGM". There have been two awards of the Sea Gallantry Medal (Bronze) since 1974: one in 1981 and the other in 1989. No Sea Gallantry Medals (Silver) have been awarded since this time.
Notable recipients
- Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher CradockChristopher CradockRear-Admiral Sir Christopher "Kit" George Francis Maurice Cradock KCVO CB was a British officer of the Royal Navy. He was born at Hartforth, Richmond, North Yorkshire...
- Lieutenant Max HortonMax Kennedy HortonAdmiral Sir Max Kennedy Horton, GCB, DSO and two bars was a British submariner in World War I and commander-in-chief of the Western Approaches in the latter half of World War II, responsible for British participation in the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.-First World War:Horton joined...
– later Admiral Sir Max Horton - Captain Edward EvansEdward Evans, 1st Baron MountevansAdmiral Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, 1st Baron Mountevans, KCB, DSO , known as "Teddy" Evans, was a British naval officer and Antarctic explorer...
– later Admiral The Lord Mountevans - Lieutenant Fogarty FegenEdward Stephen Fogarty FegenCaptain Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen VC, SGM was an Irish Victoria Cross recipient , by birth an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth...
– later Captain of HMS Jervis Bay and CommodoreCommodore (rank)Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
of Convoy HX 84 - Lieutenant John JellicoeJohn Jellicoe, 1st Earl JellicoeAdmiral of the Fleet John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO was a British Royal Navy admiral who commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in World War I...
– later Admiral of the FleetAdmiral of the FleetAn admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments...
The Lord Jellicoe