The Northwest Canada Medal is a British campaign medal established by the Canadian Government in September 1885 and issued to the soldiers, volunteers, and North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) personnel who participated in putting down the North-West Rebellion in 1885 and who served west of Port Arthur, Ontario.
The medal was created after consultation between the Governor-General of Canada and the British Secretary of State for the Colonies. Recipients included a number of volunteers, including the crew of the steamer “Northcote” for service at the Battle of Batoche, and members of the Prince Albert Volunteers for service at the Battle of Duck Lake.
Although no British Army units took part, seventeen British Army officers were attached to Canadian units. All those who received the medal, except for members of the NWMP, also received a grant of 320 acres of land, or scrip of $80 in lieu. During the 1930s, surviving NWMP recipients were each granted $300.
The clasp “SASKATCHEWAN“ was awarded to those present at any of the three main encounters during the rebellion. Approximately 1,760 medals were awarded with this clasp. A number of veterans of the Battle of Batoche added an unofficial “BATOCHE” clasp to their medal.
Medals were issued unnamed, although many recipients had their name and unit engraved on the rim.
The medal is circular, struck in silver and measures 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter. The obverse was designed by L. C. Wyon and the reverse by Thomas Brock.
The obverse shows an effigy of Queen Victoria, facing left and wearing a diadem and veil. Around the edge is the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX“. The reverse bears the inscription “NORTH WEST 1885 CANADA“ in three lines surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves.
The medal is suspended from a ribbon in slate grey 32 millimetres (1.3 in) wide, with crimson 6 millimetres (0.24 in) stripes, 3 millimetres (0.12 in) from each edge.
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