Medals
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency is the issuing authority for Second World War and Post War Medals for persons who identify as having served as part of the British Merchant Navy during World War II and post war campaigns.
As part of your service you must meet the following conditions:
- served on a vessel used to support the UK armed forces; and
- meets the eligibility requirements for the medal for which you are applying.
You can apply on behalf of someone in your family if they have died or if you have lasting power of attorney.
To make an application you must submit a completed application form and a copy of sea service from an official source, i.e. National Archive or Discharge Book.
Please send your completed application to:
Registry of Shipping & Seaman
Anchor Court
Ocean Way
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Applications are assessed within 31 days, in date order of receipt. After 31 days we will inform you if your application is successful or whether more information is required.
Historical Information
RSS hold limited historical records, mainly:
- medal roll for World War II and original papers (not complete) of medal applications for the World War II period;
- records of the Falklands campaign;
- a small selection of allied ship pouches from World War II
Other historical information that was once held by RSS and that may help with research into family history, has passed to the National Archives.
Medal Entitlement of Merchant Navy Seafarer FAQs
What evidence is required for Medal entitlement?
You will need to complete
1. A personal application form MSF 4408 completed by the veteran, or a Merchant Navy Certificate of Kinship MSF 4502, which are available on request through RSS, must be completed by the next of kin if the veteran is deceased.
2. Evidence of sea service.
3. As we have minimal records regarding vessels in World War Two we may not ask you to supply Movement Cards, However, these are not complete so we may require evidence of the movements of the vessels on which service was given for World War two Assessments.
Why is evidence required to assess Medal entitlement?
Who do I contact to provide the evidence of Medal entitlement?
You will need to complete form MSF 4408 which is available on request and send to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen with all documentation and evidence as specified.
RSS Cardiff
Registry of Shipping and Seamen
Anchor Court
Ocean Way
CF24 5JW
How do I provide evidence of sea service?
You can provide this information by
1. A seafarer’s Discharge Book which shows voyages relevant to the Award being applied for.
2. If the Discharge Book is no longer available details of voyages may be held at the National Archive;
The National Archive
Kew, Richmond Surrey,
TW9 4DU
TEL: 020 8876 3444
FAX: 0210 8878 8905
E-mail: enquiry@nationalarchives.gov.uk
How do I provide evidence of the area of operation?
You can make enquiries to the National Archive in Kew or the Guildhall Library in London, the contact details are;
The National Archive
Kew, Richmond Surrey,
TW9 4DU
TEL: 020 8876 3444
FAX: 0210 8878 8905
E-mail: enquiry@nationalarchives.gov.uk
The Guildhall Library
Aldermanbury
London
EC2P 2EJ
TEL: 0207332 1868/1870
FAX: 020 7600 3384