Canada General Service Medal

Instituted
7th January 1899 and awarded to all those who qualified for the medal and were still living. An Army Order of 1906 extended the period of applying for the medal until 1st July 1907 and this was later further extended to 31st December 1928.

Qualification:
Awarded to members of the Imperial and Canadian forces which took part in the suppression of the Fenian Raids in 1866 and 1870, and Riels' First Rebellion, also in 1870. This latter action was also known as the Red River Rebellion or the Red River Resistance depending, presumably, upon which side of the fence you stood.

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter, with a plain, straight swivel suspender. The obverse portrays the veiled bust of Queen Victoria with the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse depicts the Canadian flag surrounded by a wreath of maple leafs. The word CANADA appears above.

The obverse on the medal was designed by Thomas Brock (1847-1922) and the reverse by George William de Saulles (1862-1903). Thomas Brock was a prolific English sculptor, probably best known for the Imperial Memorial to Queen Victoria situated in front of Buckingham Palace. He was knighted in 1911. George de Saulles (1862-1903) was, as Chief Engraver, responsible for official medals between 1894 and 1902.

Ribbon:
Three equal stripes of red, white and red.

Naming:
Several different naming types are to be found. Medals issued to English Regiments (approximately 820) were impressed in capitals or engraved. Medals issued to Canadian recipients are to be found in large indented block capitals, indented lower case letters and - for the most part for those awarded to Naval recipients - engraved in large or small capitals.


Clasps:
Three clasps were awarded: Fenian Raid 1866, Fenian Raid 1870, and Red River 1870. The medal was always issued with a clasp. Four different dies were used for the 1866 clasp, five for the 1870 clasp and three for the Red River clasp.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph is taken from the Spink & Son July 2009 auction catalogue whilst British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal

Instituted:
Authorised by the Cape of Good Hope Government on 4th December 1900, with the approval of Queen Victoria.

Qualification:
Awarded to men who took part in the suppression of uprisings in Transkei, Basutoland and Bechuanland.

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter, with a swivelling straight suspender. The obverse portrays the bust of Queen Victoria wearing a veil and a small crown, with the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse depicts the arms of Cape Colony and the legend, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The medal was designed by George William de Saulles (1862-1903) who, as Chief Engraver, was responsible for official medals between 1894 and 1902.

Ribbon:
Dark blue with a yellow stripe running down the centre.

Naming:
Those engraved in the UK were done so in thin, faint block capitals. Later issues engraved in Cape Town were impressed in square capitals.

Clasps:
Three clasps were awarded and these are listed below.

1. Transkei
Awarded for operations in Tembuland and Giqualand East between 13th September 1880 and 15th May 1881

2. Basutoland
Awarded for operations between 13th September 1880 and 27th April 1881 at Mafetang, Maseru, Kalabani and elsewhere.

3. Bechuanaland
Awarded for operations in Bechuanaland between 24th December 1886 and 30th July 1897.

A total of 5252 medals were issued and only ten were issued without a clasp. The breakdown - courtesy of British Battles and Medals - is as follows:

Transkei: 562
Basutoland: 1589
Bechuanaland: 2483
Transkei and Basutoland: 490
Transkei and Bechuanaland: 18
Basutoland and Bechaunaland: 77
Transkie, Basutoland and Bechaunaland: 23
No clasps: 10

Acknowledgements:
The photograph is taken from Spink's's July 2009 auction catalogue whilst British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Baldwin's - Orders, Decorations and Medals

I've just added a new section on the right-hand column for for forthcoming medal auctions. If your name is RENNIE or you have an interest in that surname, there are some fantastic lots coming up in the Baldwin's sale at the end of this month.

CLICK ON THIS BALDWIN'S LINK TO VIEW THE CATALOGUE.

South Africa Medal 1877-1879

Instituted:
1879

Qualification:
Awarded for operations against various African tribes between September 1877 and December 1879.

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter, with an ornamental scroll swivelling suspension. The obverse portrays the diademed head of Queen Victoria and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse depicts the lion of South Africa crouching in front of a protea bush. Above are the words SOUTH AFRICA; below the lion a Zulu shield and crossed spears.

As with the Indian Mutiny Medal, the South Africa Medal design is another father/son collaboration. The obverse of the medal was designed by William Wyon (1795-1851) who was the official chief engraver of the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death. (See also the Army of India Medal). The reverse was designed by his eldest son, Leonard Charles Wyon (1826-1891) who became Second Engraver at the Royal Mint in 1844 and who succeeded his father as Modeler and Engraver in 1851.

Ribbon:
Watered, orange-yellow with two narrow and two wide stripes in dark blue.

Naming:
Engraved capital letters.

Clasps:
Seven clasps were awarded and these are listed below. The medal could also be issued without a clasp (also below). After a good deal of deliberation on the part of the War Office, and after three Royal Warrants had been issued it was decided to issue only one clasp per medal, that clasp representing the year, or number of years, that the recipient had been employed against an enemy.

1. 1877
The second least common of the clasps with approximately 150 awarded.

2. 1877-8
Approximately 5,820 awarded.

3. 1877-8-9
Approximately 3,520 awarded.

4. 1877-9
The rarest of all the clasps. Approximately eight awarded.

5. 1878
Approximately 2,000 awarded.

6. 1878-9
Approximately 1,180 awarded.

7. 1879
Approximately 18,330 awarded.

Men entitled to any of the above clasps who were already in possession of the earlier South Africa 1853 medal were supposed to declare this to the authorities so that the appropriate clasp from the 1877-79 campaign could be added to their earlier medal.

In all, 36,600 medals were struck, 5,600 of these issued without a clasp to men who took part in the Zulu operations between 11th January and 1st September 1879 but who did not cross into Zululand from Natal.

Operations:
The operations for which the above bars were awarded were as follows:

1. Operations against the Gcalekas and the Gaikas (1877-78).

2. Operations against the Griquas in 1878.

3. Operations against Sekukuni in 1878 and 1879.

4. Operations against Moirosi in 1879.

5. The Zulu War of 1879.

Other:
The medal is also referred to as the Zulu War Medal and the South Africa General Service Medal.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph is taken from Dix Noonan's September 2009 auction catalogue whilst British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Ashantee Medal

Instituted:
1st June 1874

Qualification:
Those serving in Major-General Sir Garnet Wolseley's campaign against the Ashantis between 9th June 1873 and 4th February 1874.

Description:
36mm diameter medal, silver and bronze, featuring the veiled head of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse depicts a bush-fighting scene around a tree between British soldiers and Ashanti tribesemen.

The obverse of the medal was designed by Leonard Charles Wyon (1826-1891). The reverse was designed by Sir Edward John Poynter (1836-1919), many of whose works can be seen at The Tate Gallery in London.

Ribbon:
32mm wide. Yellow with black borders and two thin black stripes down the centre.

Naming:
The recipient's name engraved in roman capitals. The rim dated 1873-4.

Clasps:
One clasp was awarded for this medal - Coomassie. However, those men who later qualified for the East and West Africa Medal ( for various operations between 1887 and 1900) were awarded the bar/s only which were then to be attached to the Ashantee Medal.

The Coomassie clasp was awarded to all those who were present at the battle of Amoaful on 21st January 1874 and in the actions between Amoaful and Coomassie, including the capture of the capital on 4th February 1874.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph is taken from Spink's July 2009 medal auction catalogue, whilst British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Indian Mutiny Medal

Instituted:
Originally sanctioned by General Order No. 363 dated 18th August 1858 and No. 733 of 1859 to all troops engaged against the mutineers, this was later extended by General Order 771 in 1868 to all persons who had borne arms or been under fire.

Qualification:See above.

Description:
A silver, 36mm diameter medal featuring the diademed head of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse depicts the standing, helmeted figure of Britannia. She faces left and holds a wreath in her right outstreched hand. Over her left arm is a shield and behind her the British lion. The word INDIA is written above her, and the dates 1857-1858 beneath.

The obverse of the medal was designed by William Wyon who was the official chief engraver of the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death in 1851. (See alsothe Army of India Medal). The reverse was designed by his eldest son, Leonard Charles Wyon (1826-1891) who became Second Engraver at the Royal Mint in 1844 and who succeeded his father as Modeler and Engraver in 1851.

Ribbon:32mm wide. White with two 6mm scralet stripes.

Naming:
The recipient's name and regiment, or ship, indented in roman capitals.

Clasps:
Five fish-tailed clasps were issued and these are listed below. Around 290,000 medals were also issued without clasps, the result of the 1868 General Order.

1. Delhi
Awarded to troops involved in the recapture of Delhi between 30th May and 14th September 1857.

2. Defence of Lucknow
Awarded to original defenders, the relief force and a few civilians. The qualifying period was 29th June - 22nd November 1857.

3. Relief of Lucknow
Awarded to troops under Sir Colin Campbell who were involved in the relief of the city in November 1857.

4. Lucknow
Awarded to troops who took part in the final operations resulting in the capture of Lucknow between November 1857 and March 1858.

5. Central India
Awarded to those who served under Major-General Sir Hugh Rose against Jhansi, Calpee and Gwalior, and those who served with Major-General Roberts in the Rajpatana Field Force and Major-General Whitlock of the Madras Column between January and June 1858.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph is taken from Dix Noonan's September 2009 auction catalogue whilst British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Army of India Medal

Instituted:
An order dated 21st March 1851 authorised the East India Company to issue a medal to all survivors who served in India between 1799 and 1826.

Qualification:
See above. The period covered encompassed four wars: the Second Mahratta War (1803–4), the Gurkha War (1814–16), the Pindaree or Third Mahratta War (1817–18), and the First Burmese War (1824–26). Because the medal was issued retrospectively, and some 48 years after the first qualifying action at Allighur in 1803, fewer medals were issued than would have been the case had awards been made immediately after the campaigns. As it was, around 4,500 medals were issued in total, the vast majority of these with only a single clasp.

Description:
A silver, 35mm diameter medal featuring the diademed head of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse depicts the figure of Victory, seated and facing left. In her right hand she holds a laurel branch, and in her right hand a wreath. A palm tree can be seen to the left and around the top is the wording, TO THE ARMY OF INDIA. The dates 1799-1826 appear at the bottom. The medal was designed by William Wyon who was the official chief engraver of the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death in 1851. It was a William Wyon design which was the model for Queen Victoria's head on the Penny Black and other later Victorian postage stamps.

The length of the hyphen between the two dates is known to vary. Those with a long hyphen are thought to have been sent out to India unnamed and then named in Calcutta and sent to claimants still serving in India. Medals with a shorter hyphen and the designer's initials (WW) were largely issued to the Queen's ships and regiments.

Ribbon:
32mm wide and light blue.

Naming:
Generally in indented capitals to British and European troops and various indented capitals and script to natives.

Clasps:
This medal was only issued with clasps and there were twenty-one clasps issued in total. These are listed below in date order, earliest first. The order of the clasps on this medal is different from most medals in that the last award is placed nearest the medal.

1. Allighur
Awarded for the action of 4th September 1803.

2. Battle of Delhi
Awarded for the action of 11th September 1803.

3. Assye
Awarded for the action of 23rd September 1803.
Assye is today, Assaye in the state of Maharashtra. Read more about the Battle of Assye at British Battles.com. The Duke of Wellington, who was a colonel (and acting Major General) at Assye would later say that Assye was his hardest fought battle.

4. Asserghur
Awarded for the action of 21st October 1803.

5. Laswaree
Awarded for the action of 1st November 1803.

6. Argauum
Awarded for the action of 29th November 1803.

7. Gawilghur
Awarded for the action of 15th December 1803.

8. Defence of Delhi
Awarded for the actions of 8th-14th October 1804.

9. Battle of Deig
Awarded for the action of 13th November 1804.

10. Capture of Deig
Awarded for the actions of 11th-23rd December 1804.

11. Nepaul
Awarded for the actions of October 1814 to March 1816.

12. Kirkee
Awarded for the action of 5th November 1817.

13. Poona
Awarded for the actions of 11th-16th November 1817.

14. Kirkee and Poona
Awarded for the actions of 5th-16th November 1817.

15. Seetabuldee
Awarded for the actions of 26th-27th November 1817.

16. Napgore
Awarded for the action of 16th December 1817.

17. Seetabuldee and Nagpore
Awarded for the actions of 26th-27th November 1817 and 16th December 1817.

18. Maheidpoor
Awarded for the action of 21st December 1817.

19. Corygaum
Awarded for the action of 1st January 1818.

20. Ava
Awarded for actions between 1824 and 1826.

21. Bhurtpoor
Awarded to men who took part in the siege of Bhurtpoor between 17th and 18th January 1826.

Other:
The first action commemorated on a clasp for this medal was the assault on the fortress at Allighur on 4th September 1803, a date which does not of course agree with the dates 1799-1826 that are mentioned on the reverse of the medal.

Seven clasps were awarded to one man - the most awarded. Two men received five clasps, twenty-three received four, and one hundred and forty nine received three.

Medals with the Ava clasp are the most common; those with the Kirkee (seven known issues) and Seetabuldee (two issues to Europeans) clasps, the most rare.

Sales:
An Army of India medal with a scarce combination of Battle of Deig and Capture of Deig clasps (only 32 entitlements for this combination) was sold at auction by Dix Noonan Webb in June 2009 for £7,800 against a top estimate of £4,500.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph is taken from Dix Noonan's September 2009 auction catalogue whilst British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.