Qualification Criteria
Qualification by Conflict
World Wars I & II. Although there are no known merchant seafarers now alive from World War I, their
retrospective status as veterans may still be appreciated by their descendants. All merchant seafarers
and fishermen serving aboard any UK vessel between the first and last day of World War II were
deemed to be serving “Under Admiralty Charter” throughout the conflict. While their actual conditions of
service differed, these personnel faced the same dangers and should, in terms of recognition, be treated
as if they were Royal Navy personnel during the period of this service. WWII began on 3 September
1939 (when the first vessel SS “Athena” was sunk) and ended on VJ Day on 15 August 1945. During
the conflict a large number of merchant seafarers and fishermen found themselves onboard ships that
were requisitioned by the Royal Navy. Many of these men volunteered to remain onboard as crew,
working alongside Royal Navy personnel. While they remained on their civilian pay and leave
conditions, they were required to sign T124X or T124T agreements which placed them under the Naval
Discipline Act and strengthened their case for similar recognition to their RN colleagues.
Other Conflicts post 1945. Those legally defined military operations recognised by the UK Government
as those in which the Merchant fleet supported the military included, but are not limited to, Korea (1950-
53), Suez (1956), South Atlantic (1982), Gulf (Kuwait Crisis) (1990-91) and Gulf (Iraq Invasion) (2003).
Significantly all Merchant Navy seafarers who served in these zones are entitled to receive campaign
medals following certain periods in theatre: for example, over 5000 such medals were awarded for the
Falklands campaign alone. Under the Protection of Military Remains Act (PMRA), two merchant vessels
(Storaa and Atlantic Conveyor) have so far been designated as protected places, in recognition of their
status in supporting UK military operations.
Non UK Conflicts. A significant number of British merchant seafarers, in going about their lawful
business, were required to sail into war zones not involving the UK. These include places such as
Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf during the Iran/Iraq war. These were warlike areas and a number of
British merchant seafarers were killed or injured as a result of armed actions. More recently, the
concept of war zones and areas of warlike operations has been extended to include piracy hotspots with
such areas being designated as “high risk” e.g. the UK Warlike Operations Area Committee has recently
declared an area in the Gulf of Aden as “high risk”. Nonetheless, it is not intended to pursue official
veteran status, which implies some form of service to the Nation, for these personnel, and they are not
considered to be part of the Armed Forces Community.
Proof of Service
While mercantile marine records are not comparable with those held on behalf of the UK Armed Forces,
British merchant seafarers normally have Discharge Books which contain details of the vessels in which
they served including the dates. The names and dates of those ships that sailed into the operational
zones are retained in the records held by the MCA’s Registry of Shipping and Seamen. The Royal
Naval Historical Archive holds online records, and the Merchant Navy Association and the Federation of
Merchant Mariners also keep an expanding database of those qualifying personnel who have been
awarded the Merchant Navy Veterans badge. Ships’ Articles, crew lists and discharge books can also
provide supporting evidence. Thus, proof of service is based on confirmation of the individual’s ship
discharge record and that ship’s service in support of UK military operations.
