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Tag: 19th Century British Campaign Medals

The India Medal

The India Medal was approved in 1896 and issued as an award to officers and men of the British and Indian armies.

The India Medal is a campaign medal approved in 1896 for issue to officers and men of the British and Indian armies. This medal replaced the India General Service Medal (1854).

The India Medal was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India, chiefly for service on the North-West Frontier from 1895 to 1902.

Each campaign was represented by a clasp on the ribbon of the medals. Seven were sanctioned:

  • Defense of Chitral 1895 (3 March – 13 April 1895)
  • Relief of Chitral 1895 (7 March – 15 August 1895)
  • Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (10 June 1897 – 6 April 1898)
  • Malakand 1897 (26 July – 2 August 1897)
  • Samana 1897 2 (August – 2 October 1897)
  • Tirah 1897-98 (2 October 1897 – 6 April 1898)
  • Waziristan 1901-02 (23 November 1901 – 10 March 1902)

The India Medal Design

The medal is circular, struck in silver for soldiers of the British and Indian armies, and in bronze to native bearers and servants. It measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter.

The obverse bears the profile of Queen Victoria or, for those awarded the medal with the Waziristan 1901–02 clasp, King Edward VII, both with a suitable inscription. The reverse portrays a British and an Indian soldier together carrying a standard with the inscription “India 1895“, and the Edward VII version omits the date. The reverse was designed by G. W. de Saulles.

The ribbon measures 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide and has five equal stripes of red, green, red, green, red.

The name and details of the recipient were engraved on the edge of the medal, normally in running script.

The Central Africa Medal

The Central Africa Medal is a campaign medal awarded for service in Eastern and Central Africa and 1894-1898 in British Central Africa.

The Central Africa Medal is a British campaign medal awarded for service 1891-1894 in Eastern and Central Africa, and 1894-1898 in British Central Africa.

Award of the medal was approved by Queen Victoria in Army Order No. 66, 1 April 1895. The initial decoration was for various military expeditions from July 1891 to June 1894, but was subsequently extended to the Unyoro Expedition in 1895 and later authorized for service in British Central Africa 1895-1898.

Most medals were awarded to members of the Indian Army and British-led local forces for suppressing slave-trading or to punish raids on neighboring tribes.

No British Army units were present, although some British officers and non commissioned officers seconded to local units received the medal, as did a small number of Royal Navy personnel.

The Central Africa Medal Design

The medal is circular, measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter and was struck in silver to combatants and in bronze to native porters and authorized servants. The medal uses the same design as the Ashantee Medal and the East and West Africa Medal, although with a different ribbon.

The obverse shows the left-facing effigy of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem with a veil behind. On either side is the inscription VICTORIA on the left and REGINA on the right. The designer for the obverse was Leonard Charles Wyon. The reverse shows a scene, inspired by the Ashanti War, of British soldiers fighting the Ashanti in the jungle. It was designed by Sir Edward John Poynter.

The ribbon measures 31.7 millimeters (1.25 in) wide, and has three equal stripes of black, white and pale brown, also described as copper or terra cotta. It was worn with the black to the left when facing the wearer and the colors symbolize the troops who took part – African, European, and Indian.

The recipient’s name and unit were usually engraved or impressed on the rim of the medal, although some were issued unnamed.

The British South Africa Company’s Medal

The British South Africa Company Medal was sanctioned by Queen Victoria to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War.

The British South Africa Company Medal is a British campaign medal established in 1896 and sanctioned by Queen Victoria and the British South Africa Company to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War. The majority of awards were to colonial and locally-raised troops, rather than members of the regular British Army.

In 1897, the award was extended to those engaged in the two campaigns of the Second Matabele War, namely Rhodesia (1896) and Mashonaland (1897). The three medals are the same except for the name of the campaign for which the medal was issued, inscribed on the reverse.

In 1927, the government of Southern Rhodesia re-issued the medal and instituted a new clasp, to commemorate the Pioneer Column that operated within Mashonaland in 1890. Those previously awarded the medal were required to exchange it for the new version.

The four clasps issued were:

  1. Matabeleland 1893
  2. Rhodesia 1896
  3. Mashonaland 1897
  4. Mashonaland 1890

The British South Africa Company’s Medal Design

The medal is circular, struck in silver and measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter. It was manufactured by Heaton and Company of Birmingham.

The obverse shows a left-facing effigy of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem and veil. Around the edge is inscribed “Victoria Regina”.

The reverse was designed by Richard Caton Woodville Jr and depicts a charging lion, wounded in the chest with an assegai. In the foreground are native weapons and a shield, in the background is a mimosa bush, and below the scene the inscription: “BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY”. The recipient’s first eligible campaign is inscribed at the top on all versions of the medal except the 1927 issue.

The ribbon measures 35 millimeters (1.4 in) wide and is watered silk in golden yellow with three dark blue stripes.

The swiveling suspension bar is decorated with shamrocks, thistles and roses. The medals were named to the recipient using a number of different engraved and impressed styles, depending on when the medal was issued.

The Army Gold Medal

The Army Gold Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to field and general officers in recognition of successful commands in campaigns.

The Army Gold Medal, also known as the Peninsular Gold Medal, was a British campaign medal awarded to field and general officers in recognition of successful commands in campaigns, predominantly the Peninsular War (1807–1814). The medal was issued only to officers whose status was no less than that of battalion commander or equivalent.

The Peninsular War was a military conflict fought by Bourbon Spain and Portugal, assisted by Great Britain, against the invading and occupying forces of the First French Empire for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war on the peninsula lasted until the Sixth Coalition defeated Napoleon in 1814, and is regarded as one of the first wars of national liberation, significant for the emergence of large-scale guerrilla warfare.

Naval Gold Medals had been awarded since 1794 to captains and admirals who had served in specified successful naval actions. The Army Gold Medal was established in 1810 to reward service at Napoleonic War battles since 1808. Like the Maida Gold Medal, it was awarded only to majors and above and, like the Naval Gold Medal, it was awarded in two sizes, with the larger to senior officers. In October 1813, to prevent a proliferation of awards to one recipient, an order was created instructing that only one medal be worn.

The award could be awarded posthumously, and sent to the officer’s family.

The Army Gold Medal Design

The medal is struck in gold and measures 54 mm and 33 mm in diameter.

Large Gold Medal

The Large Gold Medal, restricted to general officers, was designed by Thomas Wyon. It was mounted in a gold frame, and glazed on both sides. The obverse shows Britannia with a shield, seated and facing left and holding a laurel wreath in her right hand and a palm branch in her left. Behind her is the head of a lion. The reverse shows a laurel wreath, with the name of the battle engraved in the center, although that for Barrosa was die struck. The large medal was worn around the neck.

Small Gold Medal

The Small Gold Medal, awarded to officers between the rank of major and colonel. was mounted in a gold frame and glazed, and had the same design as the large medal. It was worn on the left chest, often from a buttonhole, with the ribbon attached via a wide curved suspender.

Gold (or Peninsular) Cross

The Gold (or Peninsular) Cross, awarded to those who earned four or more gold medals. It is an ornamental cross pattée with a proud lion at its center and the four qualifying actions embossed on its arms. The obverse and reverse are the same. The medal was worn around the neck with the ribbon attached via an ornate loop.

The ribbon for all the awards was broad crimson with blue borders and measured 1.75 inches (44 mm) wide.

The Queen’s Mediterranean Medal

The Queen’s Mediterranean Medal was awarded to troops who had replaced their regular Army counterparts in garrisons across the Mediterranean.

The Queen’s Mediterranean Medal was awarded to Militia troops who had replaced their regular Army counterparts in the various military garrisons across the Mediterranean, in Gibraltar, Malta and Egypt. The medal was authorized by King Edward VII and This allowed regular troops to be available for the Second Boer War.

Troops on the island of St. Helena who were guarding Boer prisoners of war in the POW camp were awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal without clasp.

The Queen’s Mediterranean Medal Design

The Queen’s Mediterranean Medal and ribbon are identical to the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, except the inscription ‘SOUTH AFRICA’ has been replaced by the word ‘MEDITERRANEAN’ on the reverse of the medal.

No clasps were awarded with this medal.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal

The Queen’s South Africa Medal is a military decoration established in 1900 and presented to military personnel in the Boer War.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal is a military decoration of South Africa that was established in 1900. It was first presented to military personnel who fought in the Boer War from the 11th of October 1899 to 31st May 1902 and awarded to the British forces, the Royal Navy, the colonial forces; mainly from Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and civilians employed in official positions by the military.

The medal (without bar) was also presented to soldiers who guarded the prisoners captured in the Boer War at POW camp in St Helena. Those in the Mediterranean islands received the Queen’s Mediterranean Medal, and some troops on the ships received the Transport Medal.

Establishment:

The QSA was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1900 to honor soldiers and civilians who served in South Africa’s Boer War.

There are three known versions of the medal. Since it was expected the war would only last a short duration and conclude by 1900, the original medals were struck years 1899 to 1900 on the back.

Fifty medals were presented before it became apparent the war was not going to end any time soon. And so the remaining medals had the impressed years scrapped off. The third version of the QSA medal didn’t have the labeling of the years.

The soldiers who received this medal deserved it because they faced difficulties during the war. For instance, they fought against an enemy who was well prepared in terms of marksmanship and movement. The enemy was good at navigation and used horses to move around.

These combatants survived devoid of the basic necessities like food and water, while thousands perished from enteric fever. Casualties reached 50,000 during the war, but recent studies put the number at approximately 97,000.

A majority of those who were awarded this medal took part in the scorched earth policy during the last stage of the war that lasted twenty months. They adopted this strategy when it became clear the conventional way of fighting the enemy wasn’t working.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal Design

The QSA medal is made of silver and is about 1.5 inches in diameter. But there were versions made of bronze, which were issued to Indian non-combatants and other non-combatant groups who were in the military payroll. The silver medal was mainly awarded to the native soldiers.

Forward-face:

The front part shows a crowned and disguised model of Queen Victoria, facing the left.

Back side:

The back side was designed by G.W. de Saulles. It shows Britannia clutching at the Union Flag in the left hand and a laurel wreath on the right. In the background, soldiers can be seen marching from the coat towards the inland.

Towards the background in the left, you’ll notice two men-of-war and Britannia’s shield and Neptune’s Trident on the ground. In the top perimeter the words ‘South Africa’ is engraved.

Three versions of the back side exist;

  1. The first version is dated 1899 and 1900, with the wreath close to touching the letter ‘R’ in Africa.
  2. The years were later scrapped off both the dies and the remaining medals were still somehow visible.
  3. Minting was subsequently done with new dies, without the years and the wreath almost touching letter ‘F’ of AFRICA. This is the reverse adopted for the King’s South Africa Medal.

The Ribbons:

The Queens South Africa Medal is worn from its specific ribbon, which was first made from silk but after the 19th-century advancements, changed to cotton.

Furthermore, their colors are symbolic; the equal stripes of 1939 -1945 star are dark blue, signifying the service of the Merchant and Royal Navies, whereas red is for the Armies, and light blue for the Air Force.

The ribbon’s width varies but in general, it’s about 32mm wide. It has five stripes, each around 5 mm wide; red, dark blue, orange at the center, blue and red.

Eligibility:

Recipients of this medal are those who served from 11th October 1899 to 31st May 1902, after the British declared war against the German Empire and the armistice of 11th November 1918. Furthermore, this award was issued to the recipients of the 1914 0r 1914-15 star or those who received the British War Medal.

Clasps:

Also known as bars, clasps are common but not restricted. They are single-faced bars carried on ribbons and attached to the medal. They signify the service during particular battles.

They also have side flanges which makes it easy to attach to the medal and is riveted together to allow a new one to be added as earned.

Typically, the first clasp earned should be attached near the medal, whereas the last one earned attached at the top, but people wear them in the wrong order.

Naming:

The recipient’s details were impressed on the medal’s rim, and some officer’s medals had their details engraved.

Since its institution the Queen’s South Africa model has been awarded to more than 178,000 individuals.

More Union of South Africa Medals

The East and Central Africa Medal

The East and Central Africa Medal is a British campaign medal awarded for military operations in the Uganda Protectorate and Southern Sudan.

The East and Central Africa Medal is a British campaign medal established in February 1899 and awarded for minor military operations in the Uganda Protectorate and Southern Sudan between 1897 and 1899. Four separate clasps were issued.

Most medals were awarded to British-led local forces or units of the Indian Army. No British Army units were present, although a number of British officers and non commissioned officers received the medal while seconded to local units. The recipients of the Lubwa’s and Uganda 1897-98 clasps included several women who nursed the sick.

Most medals were awarded with a clasp, and there were a total of four authorized:

  • Lubwa’s: Operation against mutinous Sudanese soldiers stationed in Uganda who held Fort Lubwa’s on Lake Victoria, 23 September 1897 – 24 February 1898.
  • Uganda 1897-98: An expedition into the Teita country of Uganda, 20 July 1897 – 19 March 1898.
  • 1898: For service in quelling a rebellion by the Ogaden Somalis led by Sultan Ahmed bin Marghan, 12 April – 3 October 1898.

The East and Central Africa Medal Design

The East and Central Africa medal measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter. It was issued in silver to all recipients, except for native porters and other authorized camp followers, who received the medal in bronze.

The obverse shows a left facing half-length figure of Queen Victoria holding the Royal Sceptre and the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX”. The reverse, designed by G. W. de Saulles, has an image of Britannia standing and facing right, holding a trident and palm branch, while behind is a lion and the rising sun. Below is the inscription “EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA”.

The ribbon measures 31.7 millimeters (1.25 in) wide and is half yellow and half red, with the yellow to the left when facing the wearer.

The Queen’s Sudan Medal

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

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.

The Ashanti Star

The Ashanti Star was a British medal awarded to members of the expedition against the Ashanti King Prempeh, in the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War.

The Ashanti Star was a British medal awarded to members of the expedition against the Ashanti King Prempeh, in the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War that lasted from December 1895 to February 1896. The medal was established in 1896.

The forces who qualified for the medal included the second Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment and a composite battalion consisting of between 16 and 26 men from each of the three regiments of Foot Guards and from eight infantry regiments. About half the troops deployed were locally recruited Hausa forces. Three Nursing Sisters were also present and received the medal.

The Ashanti Medal Design

The design of the Ashanti medal is attributed to Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter (whose husband, Prince Henry of Battenberg, died of malaria during the campaign).

The medal measures 38mm wide, it’s suspended by a loop and ring, and is a bronze four pointed star superimposed on a saltire cross.

The obverse shows a central medallion with a circlet inscribed “Ashanti 1896”, surrounding an imperial crown. The reverse displays within a circular central recess the inscription “From the Queen”, the rest of the reverse surface is plain.

The ribbon measures 31 millimeters (1.2 in) wide, yellow with two black stripes. The medal was awarded unnamed, except to members of the West Yorkshire Regiment, whose colonel had the medals engraved at his own expense.

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 East and West Africa Medal was a campaign medal awarded for minor campaigns that took place in East and West Africa between 1887. The medal was established in 1892, and a total of twenty one clasps were issued. Most medals were granted to personnel from either the Royal Navy, the West India Regiment or British led local forces, including locally recruited police. 

Awards of the medal covered punitive expeditions against local tribesmen, generally in response to attacks against Europeans or neighboring tribes, or for operations to suppress slavery.

A total of 21 clasps were awarded. Those who qualified for a second or subsequent clasp received the new clasp only to be attached to their existing medal. While the majority of recipients only qualified for one clasp, medals have been seen with as many as seven.

The East and West Africa Medal Design

The East and West Africa was designed by Sir Edward Poynter.

The obverse bears a left-facing portrait of Queen Victoria with the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA”. The reverse has an image of British soldiers fighting Africans in dense jungle.

The medal was issued in silver to officers and men of the British led forces. It was also awarded in bronze to native porters with some clasps. The ribbon measures 31.7 millimeters (1.25 in) wide and is yellow with black edges and two black stripes towards the center.