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

The Queen’s Sudan Medal

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 1899
Country: Great Britain

The Queen’s Sudan Medal was awarded to British and Egyptian forces which had taken part in the Sudan campaign between June 1896 and September 1898, and authorized in March 1899.

The campaign reflected the British desire to reverse the defeats of the Mahdist War in the 1880’s, as well as concern that France and other European powers would take advantage of Sudan’s instability to acquire parts of its territory.

Initially only the Egyptian Army was engaged. British Army units joined from early 1898, with two British brigades being present at the decisive victory at Omdurman on 2 September 1898.

The Queen’s Sudan Medal Design

The Queen’s Sudan medal is circular and measures 36.5 millimeters (1.44 in) in diameter. It was awarded in silver to soldiers of the British and Egyptian armies, and in bronze to a small number of non-combatants, mainly officers’ servants, and grooms from the Indian Army.

The obverse shows a half length crowned figure of Queen Victoria and has the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse displays a plinth inscribed SUDAN supported by Nile lilies, where a figure of victory sits holding a laurel wreath and a palm branch. Behind her are the British and Egyptian flags.

The ribbon measures 31.7 millimeters (1.25 in) wide ribbon is half yellow, half black with a thin dividing red stripe. No clasps were awarded for this medal.

More British 19th Century Campaign Medals

The Ashantee Medal

The Ashantee Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to British, Colonial, and allied native forces during the Third Anglo-Ashanti War.

The Kabul to Kandahar Star

The Kabul to Kandahar Star was awarded to British and Indian troops who had participated in the 320 mile march from Kabul to Kandahar.

The Gwalior Star (Maharajpoor)

The Gwalior Star is a campaign medal presented to the soldiers of the British Army and the British led Bengal Army for the Gwalior Campaign.

The East and West Africa Medal

The East and West Africa Medal was a campaign medal awarded for minor campaigns that took place in East and West Africa around 1887.

The Military General Service Medal

The Military General Service Medal is a campaign medal issued to officers and men of the British Army in 1848 for various military actions.

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.