The Transport Medal

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The Transport Medal 

 

J Tully Chief Engineer Transport Medal, clasp: South Africa. Ship: Dominion (Richard & Mills). Presented by the King 4 Nov 1903
 

The Transport Medal was a British campaign medal sanctioned on 8 November 1903 and awarded by the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty. It was awarded to masters and officers of merchant ships employed by the Transport Service to move troops to either South Africa during the South African War or to China during the Boxer Rebellion. 

 

The officers of hospital ships used in the campaigns also qualified.

It was intended that the medal would be awarded for future conflicts, but was not awarded again after the South Africa and China wars.

 

The obverse of the medal bears the head of King Edward VII in Royal Navy uniform, with the inscription EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR.

The reverse depicts HMS Ophir beneath a map of the world with, below, the words in Latin OB PATRIAM MILITIBUS PER MARE TRANSVECTIS ADJUTAM which translates as for services rendered in transporting troops by sea.

Transport Medal - Transport vessels

 

Transport vessels were engaged for unlimited service to convey troops, supplies and animals to and from South Africa.

Troops were carried in the fastest vessels available but it was found that large cargo boats were preferable to liners because they could be adapted more easily for military use.

 

The size of vessel was also a factor. Experience showed that vessels of shorter length and lighter draught were more easily managed in South African waters and the accommodation on board roughly fitted a military unit.

 

The requirements for the transport of horses either meant that cattle ships were brought into service or other vessels were converted in a process that was both slow and costly.

 

The wide variety of supplies that were needed in South Africa necessitated that freight ships were often modified to suit the items to be carried.

 

Between 1899 and 1902 the transport vessels conveyed:

·         Nearly 400,000 troops to South Africa from many ports around the world

·         340,000 horses of which 13,000 died on the journey

·         103,000 mules of which 2,000 died on the journey

·         Over 1,000,000 tons of foodstuffs and forage

·         Wounded and sick were brought back to England

Of all the ships involved, only three were lost:

·         Carinthia. 400 mules lost

·         Denton. A freight ship that was carrying stores

·         Ismore. A transport ship which lost the guns of the 63rd Battery RFA and 315 horses

     

Recipients

This medal was awarded to ship masters, first, second, third and chief Officers, first, second, third and chief Engineers as well as Pursers and Surgeons. The medal was also presented to those who served in 11 hospital ships employed during the two conflicts.

 

1,822 medals were issued.