Medals Database > By Country > Great Britain (19th Century Campaign Medals)

The Abyssinian War Medal

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 1 March 1869
Country: Great Britain

The Abyssinian War Medal is a medal awarded to those who participated in the punitive 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia, led by Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, between 4 October 1867 and 19 April 1868. This expedition was carried out by armed forces of the British Empire against the Ethiopian Empire (Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia had imprisoned several missionaries and two representatives of the British government.)

About 14,000 medals were awarded, 12,000 to the British and Indian armies and 1,981 to the Royal Navy.

The Abyssinian Medal Design

The Abyssinian medal is struck in silver an measures 1.25 inches (32 mm) in diameter. It was designed by Joseph and Alfred Wyon, and struck at the Royal Mint.

The medal is unique in that the recipient’s name and unit were embossed on the reverse of the medal. This required that the dies for the reverse had to have a removable center so each recipient’s name and unit could be impressed, with each medal minted individually.

The obverse bears the left facing effigy of a diademed Queen Victoria. Around the edge is a stylized border with indentions, between the indentions are the letters ABYSSINIA. The bust is similar to that on the New Zealand Medal issued in the same year.

The medal is held by a ring suspension attached to a crown surmounting the medal. The medal is borne upon a crimson ribbon 1.5 inches (38 mm) wide, with white borders.

More British 19th Century Campaign Medals

The China War Medal (1842)

The China War Medal is a military medal awarded to members of the British and Indian forces who took part in the First Anglo-Chinese War.

The Crimea Medal

The Crimea Medal is a campaign medal issued to officers and men of British units who fought in the Crimean War of 1854–56 against Russia.

The New Zealand Medal

The New Zealand Medal is a campaign medal awarded to Imperial and Colonial troops in the New Zealand Wars of 1845–47 (and 1848) and 1860–66.

The Egypt Medal - British Pre-WW1 Medals

The Egypt Medal (1882–1889)

The Egypt Medal is a campaign medal awarded for military actions during the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War and in the Sudan between 1884 and 1889.

The Ghuznee Medal

The Ghuznee Medal is a campaign medal awarded to troops for participation in the storming of the fortress of Ghuznee in Afghanistan.

More Medals from Great Britain

Explore the rich history of British military honors through a captivating display of medals from different periods. Use the images below to learn more about the diverse array of decorations that have adorned the uniforms of British servicemen and women throughout history or use the button at the end to visit the entire UK medals database.