Commander Benjamin Steel served as Chief Officer of the Ismay Imrie Company's Britannic during the Boer War. His Transport Medal was presented to him by King Edward VII in November 1903.

Steel had originally been employed by the Ocean Steam Navigation Company (White Star Line), and was appointed a Sub. Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1892. He gained advancement to Lieutenant during the course of his services in the Benin Expedition of 1897 and was awarded his Reserve Decoration in 1909. Placed on the Retired List with the rank of Commander, he did not witness further active service in the Great War and died at Southampton, aged 81 years, in late 1944.