The Louisburg Medal

• Time Period: Pre-WW1
• Year of Institution: 1758
• Country: Great Britain

The Louisburg Medal was only given to certain recipients for acts of bravery or distinguished service in the capture of Louisburg in Canada in July 1758, during the Seven Years War. The land forces were commanded by James Wolfe and Jeffrey Amherst, while the fleet was commanded by Edward Boscawen.

The medal could be awarded to British Army and Navy.

The detail of a rare gold Louisburg medal can be seen on this page courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London (not on display).

The Louisburg Medal Design

The medal is struck in gold, silver or bronze and measures 42 mm wide.

The obverse shows a globe surrounded by allegorical figures of victory and flanked by servicemen. A Grenadier on the left is turning towards a woman crushed below the globe, who points to approaching boats, while a sailor on the right waves his hat. The inscription on the globe reads “CANADA“, “AMERICA“. The reverse bears burning ships in the harbor, with batteries in the foreground firing at two French vessels, one in flames (The Prudent) and one being towed away (The Bienfaisant). The legend reads “LOVISBOVRG . TAKEN . MDCCLVIII“.

The ribbon measures 32 mm wide and is half yellow and half blue, although the medal was not initially intended for wear and has no suspension.