Mercantile Marine Medal (Wong Tai)

The recipient was a Chinese seafarer of Cantonese ethnicity who was a native of Hong Kong Colony, China, and served in the British Mercantile Marine 9Merchant Navy) 1914-18

A digital search of the extant Mercantile Marine Medal Index Cards (ref file series) show that only 3 x men of this exact name (per customary Chinese style the first name shown is the family name 'Wong', and the second name is the given name 'Tai') - qualified for, were entitled  and issued the Mercantile Marine War Medal - all being additionally entitled to companion British War Medals (silver ) issue

Great War Casualties: A search of the Commonwealth War Grave Commission records 2 x seafarer's called Wong Tai, who lost their lives during the Great War, when their respective ships were sunk by enemy U-Boat action, viz:

- S.S. 'Strathnairn' (Glasgow registered). On a voyage between the Welsh Port of Penarth bound for the Russian Port of Archangel, was sunk by torpedo attacks from enemy submarine UB-22 (Captain Bruno Hoppe) 25 miles North by East from Bishop and Clerks, 15 June 1915. Wong Tai held the rate of Fireman & Trimmer and was one of 15 x Hong Kong merchant seamen who lost their lives on this ship & date

- S.S. 'Kendal Castle' (Liverpool registered). On a yoyage from the French posrt of Le Havre bound for Cardiff, Wales, was sunk by torpedo attack from enemy submarine UB-104 4 miles South East of Berry Head, on 15 September 1918. Wong Tai held the rate of 'Fireman' and was one of 10 x Hong Kong merchant seamen who lost their lives on this ship & date

Hong Kong Memorial: The name(s) of the 2 x Hong Kong seafarer's named Wong Tai are commemorated in perpetuity By the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on bronze panels of the Hong Kong Memorial located at the Stanley Military Cemetery, Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Memorial contains the names of all local Chinese casualties - 941 names - who lost their lives serving in he British military, naval and mercantile services 1914-18

Considering the unusually choice condition of this medal, it's highly likely that the medal on offer is to one of the Hong Kong born casualties who lost their lives to enemy U-Boat action during the Great War.

A rare opportunity to obtain a Mercantile Marine medal named to a Chinese seaman

Condition: EF

Code: 25691