Scinde Campaign Medals

Instituted:
The medal was authorised on 22nd September 1843.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who accompanied Sir Charles Napier in his campaigns against the Amirs of Scinde (India) between 6th January and 24th March 1843.

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter. The obverse portrays the diademed head of Queen Victoria with the legend, VICTORIA REGINA. There were three different strikings of this medal, each with a different reverse as follows:

1. Meeannee - 17th February 1843

MEEANEE above the date 1843; surmounted by a crown and surrounded by a wreath.


2. Hyderabad - 24th March 1843

HYDERABAD above the date 1843; surmounted by a crown and surrounded by a wreath.


3. Meeannee and Hyderabad - 1843

MEEANEE above HYDERABAD above the date 1843; surmounted by a crown and surrounded by a wreath.


The medal was designed by William Wyon RA.

Suspension:
Straight suspender or a large ring passing through a silver clip attached to the medal. Medals to the 22nd Foot have the steel suspenders replaced by silver ones. The cost of this was borne by the then Lieutenant Colonel John Lysaght Pennefather (1800-1872) of the 22nd Foot who was wounded at Meeanee. He is pictured seated, below centre in 1855. For his services during the campaign, Lieutenant Colonel Pennefather was awarded the CB


Ribbon:
45mm wide; rainbow pattern: red, white, yellow, white and blue.

Naming:
Impressed or engraved block letters.

Clasps:
None.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph of the obverse comes from the Spink's July 2009 catalogue whilst the three reverse images are courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. British Battles and Medals has, as usual, been invaluable in putting the information together.