Candahar, Cabul and Ghuznee Medals

There are four official strikings of this medal and two versions, according to British Battles and Medals, which appear to be mistakes (see 'Other' below). On all strikings, there is a common obverse.

Instituted:
Authorised by a General Order issued in Simla, India on the 4th October 1842.

Qualification:
Awarded to European and Native troops who took part in operations in Candahar, Cabul and Ghuznee between October 1841 and October 1842.

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter. Designed by William Wyon RA, the obverse depicts the diademed head of Queen Victoria and the legend VICTORIA VINDEX. The four separate versions of the reverse are: dealt with below:

i) Candahar
A laurel wreath and crown with the word CANDAHAR and the date 1842 beneath. Of the four versions, this version is the second most rare.



ii) Cabul
A laurel wreath and crown with the word CABUL and the date 1842 beneath. This is the most common of the four versions (but see 'Other' below).


iii) Ghuznee and Cabul
Two laurel wreaths with the word GHUZNEE within one, and the word CABUL within the other. A crown surmounts both wreaths and the date 1842 appears beneath them. This version is the rarest of the four with approximately 360 issued to European troops and 1163 to natives.


iv) Candahar, Ghuznee and Cabul
A laurel wreath and crown with the words CANDAHAR, GHUZNEE and CABUL on separate lines and the date 1842 beneath. This is the second most common of the four versions.


Suspension:
A straight steel suspender fastened by a pin to a steel clip and then fixed to the disc. Other replacement suspensions, such as ring suspenders (see the Cabul image above, for instance) are also commonly seen.

Ribbon:
41mm wide; watered rainbow pattern of red, white, yellow, white and blue.

Naming:
Varied with some in script, some indented capitals and some un-named. British Battles and Medals notes that medals to the 40th Foot and the Artillery are generally found engraved in script, with those to the 41st Foot named in engraved roman capitals.

Clasps:
None, although unofficial clasps for MARZENIA 1842 and TAZEANE 1842 have been found attached to the Cabul Medal.

Other:
As well as the four official strikings, there is one striking which has the legend VICTORIA REGINA on the obverse instead of VICTORIA VINDEX. The second 'mistake' refers to the Cabul medal only where CABUL is spelt CABVL. Fifteen of these medals are known to have been issued, making this the rarest of all the versions of this medal.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph of the obverse is courtesy of Spink whilst the four reverse images are courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. Links on the individual images take you to these companies' websites. British Battles and Medals has, as always, been an invaluable resource in compiling the information.

Military General Service Medal

Instituted:
Authorised by a General Order dated 1st June 1847 and issued in 1848.

Qualification:
Issued to officers and men who took part in military campaigns between 1793 and 1814.

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter. The obverse portrays the diademed head of Queen Victoria and the legend VICTORIA REGINA with the date 1848. The reverse (see below) depicts Queen Victoria standing on a dais, placing a laurel wreath on the head of a kneeling Duke of Wellington. The inscription, TO THE BRITISH ARMY adorns the top half of the circumference whilst in the exergue are the dates 1793-1814. The designer was W Wyon, Royal Academy.


Ribbon:
32mm wide, crimson with 6mm wide dark blue borders.

Suspension:
Plain, straight, swivelling.

Naming:
In indented large roman capitals.

Clasps:
Twenty-nine, listed below:

1. EGYPT
Awarded for the actions between 2nd March and 2nd September 1801.

2. MAIDA
Awarded for the Battle of Maida which was fought on the 4th July 1806.

3. ROLEIA
Awarded for the Battle of Roleia (or Rolica; the correct spelling) which was fought on the 17th August 1808.

4. VIMIERA
Awarded for the Battle of Vimiera which was fought on the 12th August 1808.

5. SAHAGUN
Awarded for the cavalry action at Sahagun, Spain on the 21st December 1808. Only twenty single bars were issued, all to officers and men of the 15th Hussars.

6. BENEVENTE
Awarded for a further cavalry action at Benevente on the 29th December 1808.

7. SAHAGUN AND BENEVENTE
Awarded to officers and men who were present at both battles.

8. CORUNNA
Awarded to the exhausted officers and men who, having retreated from Sahagun under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, fought a battle against the French Army on 16th January 1809.


9. MARTINIQUE
Awarded for the actions on the French-held island of Martinique between 30th January and 24th February 1809.

10. TALAVERA
Awarded to officers and men who took part in the Battle of Talavera on the 27th and 28th July 1809.

11. GUADALOUPE
Awarded to officers and men who took part in the invasion and capture of the French-held West Indian island of Guadaloupe between 30th January and 4th February 1810.

12. BUSACO
Awarded for the Battle of Busaco which took place on the 27th September 1810.

13. BARROSA
Awarded for the Battle of Barrosa which was fought on the 5th March 1811.

14. FUENTES D'ONOR
Awarded for the Battle of Fuentes D'Onor which was fought on the 5th May 1811.

15. ALBUHERA
Awarded for the Battle of Albuhera which was fought on the 16th May 1811.

16. JAVA
Awarded to officers and men who took part in the capture of Java between the 14th and 26th August 1811.

17. CIUDAD RODRIGO
Awarded for the actions at Ciudad Rodrigo between the 8th and 19th January 1812.

18. BADAJOZ
Awarded for the desperate actions at Badajoz on the 17th and 18th March 1812.


19. SALAMANCA
Awarded to those who took part in the Battle of Salamanca on the 22nd July 1812.

20. FORT DETROIT
Awarded to officers and men who took part in the capture of Fort Detroit on Lake Erie on the 16th August 1812.

21. VITTORIA
Awarded for the Battle of Vittoria which was fought on the 21st June 1813.


22. PYRENEES
Awarded for the battles of the Pyrenees which took place between 25th July and 2nd August 1813.

23. ST SEBASTIAN
Awarded to those officers and men who took part in the capture of the fortress of St Sebastian between 17th July and 8th September 1813.

24. CHATEAUGUAY
Awarded for the Battle of Chateauguay in North America which took place on the 26th October 1813.

25. NIVELLE
Awarded to officers and men who took part in the Battle of Nivelle on the 10th November 1813.

26. CHRYSTLER'S FARM
Awarded for the Battle of Chrystler's Farm in North America which took place on the 11th November 1813.

27. NIVE
Awarded to officers and men who took part in the Battle of Nive between 9th and 13th December 1813.

28. ORTHES
Awarded for the Battle of Orthes which took place on the 27th February 1814.

29. TOULOUSE
The last clasp granted for this medal was for the Battle of Toulouse which took place on the 10th April 1814.

Other:

1. The Military General Service Medal was issued 34 years after the last action which its clasps commemorate. By this time, many of the participants of those battles had been long dead, although medals could be awarded to the next-of-kin.

2. There were over 25,000 applications for medals, fifteen clasps being the most awarded to a single man. Two men received 15 clasps and eleven men received 14.

3. Although the dates inscribed in the medal exergue read 1793-1814, the earliest action commemorated by a clasp is that in Egypt which took place eight years later in 1801.

4. British Battles and Medals gives a full listing of awards by regiment and is an invaluable source.

Acknowledgements:
Multi-clasp image and Badajoz etc courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. Corunna courtesy of Spink. Talavera reverse and Vittoria and Pyrenees are source unknown. The Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing Ltd) and British Battles & Medals have been essential in putting together the information.

MGC at Waterloo

If Ancestry.co.uk is to be believed, the Machine Gun Corps was active in Belgium at least a century earlier than previously thought. This from the Waterloo Medal Roll on the .co.uk site:



Closer inspection however, reveals that these are not Waterloo men but rather men entitled to the "India General Service Medal 1908" with the clasp, "Afghanistan, North West Frontier 1919". The image above also shows men of the Norfolk Regiment and the Royal Army Medical Corps. I also noticed Buffs and Queen's territorials on another page. There will be many more anachronistic examples besides. Doh!

East and West Africa Medal

Instituted:
1st November 1892.

Qualification:
Issued for various operations in East and West Africa between 1887 and 1900.

Description:
36mm diameter silver or bronze medal. The obverse, designed by L C Wyon, portrays the diademed and veiled head of Queen Victoria and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse, designed by Sir Edward Poynter RA, depicts a bush encounter between British soldiers and natives. Note that the obverse and reverse are the same as those on the Ashantee Medal (1873) and the Central Africa Medal (1891). The gauge on the East and West Africa Medal is slightly thinner than that on the Ashantee Medal.

Ribbon:
33mm wide. Yellow with black borders and two thin black stripes.

Suspension:
Swivelling, straight bar.

Naming:
A variety of styles: impressed block capitals to British and some colonial units but engraved examples to British officers and engraved capitals to some colonial units are also common. Impressed naming is generally larger on those medals issued to men serving with Naval units.

Clasps:
British Battles and Medals notes that "over twenty... possibly twenty-two" clasps were issued for this medal. The following are confirmed and there are question marks over clasps for 1896-97 and 1896-99. No clasp was issued for the M'wele Campaign of 1895-96 but the name and date were engraved around the rim. The confirmed clasps are as follows:

1. 1887-8
Army Order 212 of 1892 authorised the medal and clasp for operations against the Yonnie Tribe between 13th November 1887 and 2nd January 1888.

2. Witu 1890
Awarded to members of the expedition under Vice Admiral Sir Edmund Freemantle against Sultan Fumo Bakiri of Witu; 17th to 27th October 1890.

3. 1891-2
Issued for a series of expeditions in Gambia between 29th December 1891 and 5th February 1892 against Chief Fodeh Cabbah.



4. 1892
Awarded to men who took part in any of the three expeditions in Sierra Leone and Nigeria between 8th March and 25th May 1892.

5. Witu August 1893
This clasp was authorised on 30th August 1895 for those who took part in the Pumwani and Jongeni campaigns between 7th and 15th August 1893.

6. Liwondi 1893
This clasp was authorised on 30th August 1895 for the expedition along the Upper Shire River in Malawi between February and March 1893.

7. Juba River 1893
This clasp was authorised on 30th August 1895 for an expedition against the Somalis of Jubaland between 23rd and 25th August 1893.

8. Lake Nyassa 1893
This clasp was authorised on 30th August 1895 for a second expedition against Chief Makanjira in Central Africa in November 1893.

9. 1893-94
This clasp covers two separate expeditions against 1) the Sofas in Sierra Leone between 26th November 1893 and 20th January 1894 and 2) operations on the Gambia River between 22nd February and 11th March 1894. Naval personnel involved in this operation did not receive this clasp but received the one for Gambia 1894 instead.

10. Gambia 1894
This clasp was authorised on 30th August 1895 for Naval personnel involved in the expedition up the Gambia River.

11. Benin River 1894
This clasp was authorised on 30th August 1895 for members of the expedition who sailed along the Benin River to punish Chief Nana of Brohemie.

12. Brass River 1895
Awarded to members of an expedition against King Koko who had attacked the River Niger Company's trading post at Akassa.



13. 1896-98
Authorised in 1900 for several minor operations in the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast.

14. Niger 1897
Authorised in 1897 for operations to Egbon, Bida and Ilorin and for garrison duty at Fort Goldie and Lokoja.

15. Benin 1897
Awarded for an expedition to Benin City against Chief Overiami.

16. Dawkita 1897
Authorised in April 1898 to members of the force under Lieutenant F B Henderson of the Royal Navy for their defence of the town of Dawkita in the Gold Coast hinterland after it was attacked by Sofa slavers.

17. 1897-98
Authorised in 1900 for expeditions to the hinterland of Lagos between September 1897 and 14th June 1898.

18. 1898
Authorised in 1900 for various expeditions in Northern Nigeria.

19. Sierra Leone 1898-99
Authorised in 1900 and awarded for services in the 'Hut Tax' War between 18th February 1888 and 9th March 1889. This clasp is deeper than any of the others awarded and only medals issued with this clasp were named in square block capitals.

20. 1899
Awarded in 1900 to men of the Niger Coast Protectorate Force and the West African Frontier Force who took part in three operations between February and May 1899 commanded by Captain C H P Carter and Captain R Gabbett.

21. 1900
This last clasp was granted in 1903 for two expeditions - the Munshi and the Kaduna - conducted in Norther Nigeria between 4th January and 9th May 1900.

In addition to these confirmed clasps, the following should also be noted:

1. Clasps for 1896-97 and 1896-99 were reported to have been authorised but there is no evidence that they were ever issued.

2. Mwele 1895-1896
As mentioned earlier, no clasp was issued for these operations against Kenyan coastal Arabs, but the word Mwele was impressed on the rim of the medal along with the date 1895 or 1895-6. Bronze medals were also issued for these operations.

Acknowledgements:
Images courtesy of Spink. British Battles & Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Yorkshire Regiment number sequences

For anybody with an interest in medals to regular enlistments into the Yorkshire Regiment, I've just posted on my army service numbers blog about numbers issued to members of the 1st and 2nd Battalions between 1881 and 1914. There's also a listing of the battalions' stations between those dates. Click on the link for more.


The medals above were awarded to George A J Welch of the Yorkshire Regiment and later Indian Army Ordnance Corps. Read more about him by clicking on his name.

Medal Rolls - India Office Library

I know that Ancestry has recently published a number of medal rolls but I just came across this National Archives link which lists medal rolls in the India Office Library.

Contents

1 L/MIL/5/42-141
1.1 Summary
2 L/MIL/5/42-44 East India Company's General Service Medal 1799-1826 (Army of India Medal)
3 L/MIL/5/45-65 India General Service Medal 1854
4 L/MIL/5/46-51 North West Frontier 1849-63 and Umbeyla 1863
5 L/MIL/5/52-54 Pegu 1852-53
6 L/MIL/5/55-56 Persia 1856-57
7 L/MIL/5/57-60 Bhootan 1864-66 and Hazara 1868
8 L/MIL/5/61-62 Looshai 1871-72
9 L/MIL/5/63 Jowaki 1877-78
10 L/MIL/5/64 Naga 1879-80
11 L/MIL/5/65 Burma 1885-87
12 L/MIL/5/66 "Marine Medals" 1801-1860
13 L/MIL/5/67 China 1842
14 L/MIL/5/68 Jellalabad 1842 (Second Issue)
15 L/MIL/5/69 Scinde 1843
16 L/MIL/5/70 Sutlej 1845-6
17 L/MIL/5/71-72 Punjab 1848-9
18 L/MIL/5/73-105 Indian Mutiny 1857-8
19 L/MIL/5/106-107 China 1857-60
20 L/MIL/5/108-109 Abyssinia 1867-8
21 L/MIL/5/110-121 Afganistan 1887-79-80
22 L/MIL/5/122-124 Kabul-Kandahar 1880
23 L/MIL/5/125 Egypt 1882
24 L/MIL/5/126 Delhi Durbar 1903
25 L/MIL/5/127 Delhi Durbar 1911
26 L/MIL/5/128-141 Miscellaneous 1845-1911
27 L/MIL/15/1-4 Officers of British Army Regiments in India 1806-1865
28 L/MIL/15/5-12 Officers formerly on the Indian Establishment now belonging to the British Army 1863-1868
29 L/MIL/15/16-19 Royal Engineers' Indian Establishment 1868-1930
30 L/MIL/15/23-26 British Army Transfers to the Indian Establishment 1859-1861
31 L/MIL/15/27-30 Monthly Casualty Returns of the New Line Regiments and Artillery Brigades 1862-1863
32 L/MIL/15/31-36 Nominal and Casualty Rolls of Jager Corps Volunteers 1860-1866
33 L/MIL/15/38-41 Registers of Indian Transports 1860-1873
34 L/MIL/15/42-46 British Troops embarked for India 1871-1889
35 L/MIL/15/47-48 Indian Troop Service Embarkation and Disembarkation Returns 1909-1914

Click HERE for more information.

Royal Niger Company's Medal

Instituted:
1899

Qualification:
Issued to officers and men of the Company's forces. The medal was issued in silver (above)to Europeans and bronze to to natives for service in the territories adminstered by the Royal Niger chartered company.

Description:
39.5mm diameter silver or bronze medal. The obverse portrays the bust of Queen Victoria and the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse depicts the Company's arms within a laurel wreath.

Ribbon:
Three equal stripes of - from left - yellow, black and white.

Suspension:
Fixed, plain.

Naming:
Silver medals impressed in capitals; bronze medals (below) usually stamped with the receipient's constabulary number.


Clasps:
Two clasps: NIGERIA 1886-1897 (silver) and NIGERIA (bronze).

Acknowledgements:
Both images courtesy of Spink. The Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing Ltd) has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Turkish Crimea Medal

Instituted:
1855

Qualification:
The Sultan of Turkey issued medals to the British, French and Sardinian troops who had taken part in the war, each nation having its own issue. Ultimately however, the medals were issued haphazardly, due in no small part to the loss of a large number of British version medals when the ship carrying them, sank. It is thus commonplace to see Sardinian and French versions of the Turkish Crimea Medal issued to British troops.

Description:
36mm diameter silver medal. The obverse portrays a map of the Crimea draped over the wheel of a cannon that is resting on the Russian flag. Four allied flags flutter in the background.

On the British version (top of the page), the Union Jack flies second from right and CRIMEA 1855 appears in the exergue.

On the French version, the Tricolour flies second from right and LA CRIMEE 1855 appears in the exergue.

On the Sardinian version, the Sardinian flag flies second from right and LA CRIMEA 1855 appears in the exergue.

The reverse of the medal shows the Sultan's cypher enclosed within a laurel wreath. CRIMEA appears in Turkish script along with the year (in the Muslim calendar) 1271 A H (1855 AD).

Ribbon:
Watered crimson with green edges. The original ribbon was 18mm wide but the suspension was often altered so that a wider ribbon could be accommodated.

Suspension:
The original suspension was simply a small ring through which the ribbon was passed. However, many of these rings were replaced with a suspender similar to that of the Crimea War Medal or Indian medals.

Naming:
Medals were originally issued unnamed although many of the recipients had these privately named.

Clasps:
None.

Other:
The French issue medal commands the highest prices and is also the only medal of the three for which there is no known miniature.

Acknowledgements:
British version image courtesy of Spink. British Battles and Medals and The Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing Ltd) have been invaluable in putting together the information.

John Samuel Mills - IGS

I've just picked up an India General Service Medal with two clasps for Burma. John Samuel Mills signed up for 12 years' service with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) at Bermondsey on the 26th October 1883. He was 19 years and eleven months old, a labourer by trade who had been born in the parish of St George's. He was short - five feet, three inches tall - with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He had a circle, presumably tattooed, on his left forearm, dots on his right second finger and right forearm, scars on both upper eyelids, a scar on his chin and another on the back of his head, and two scars on his left wrist. He must have looked as though he been in the wars even before he was through with his first medical inspection.

John was unmarried and gave his next of kin as his father, Samuel Mills, of 28 Commercial Road, Pimlico. He remained in the UK with the Queen's until the 14th December 1885 and then sailed for India where he remained until October 1886. He was in Upper Burma until March 1888 and then back to India again until March 1891. From March 1891 until his discharge on the termination of his engagement, he was based in the UK.

What I like about John Mills' service - and the reason I bought this particular medal - is that he has a surviving service record which lists his overseas stations and his various admissions to hospital. His first spell in hospital was at Tralee in Ireland when he spent 83 days in hospital as a result of syphilis. A boil put him into hospital in Calcutta in March 1886 and he had eneteric fever (typhoid fevere in today's parlance) in Umballa in 1889. Inflamed lymph glands hospitalised him at Solan and Dagshai respectively in 1890.

John Mills's habits are described as temperate and his character as very good. I have not researched his life either before or after his military service. The quality of his medal is VF.

UK Military Campaign Medal & Award Rolls 1793-1949

I've just been alerted to this collection which is new on Ancestry:

"This database contains lists of more than 2.3 million officers, enlisted personnel and other individuals entitled to medals and awards commemorating their service in campaigns and battles for the British Army between 1793 and 1949. The original medal rolls were compiled by the War Office and are housed at the National Archives of the UK in Kew, Surrey. The rolls include medals awarded for British campaigns in Europe, India, Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, West and Central Africa, China, the Middle East, and elsewhere during the height of the British Empire. The collection does not include WWI or WWII medal and award rolls.

While medal rolls do not provide very detailed information, the records can include the name, date, and location of a campaign or service, the soldier’s name, and the regiment or unit name and regimental number. Most rolls were arranged by campaign (or battle), then regiment, rank and surname.

The records in this collection can be searched by name, campaign, service location and date, and regimental number. Volumes may also be browsed by region, campaign, and regiment or unit."

This is a very nice addition to Ancestry's offering, and of particular benefit to medal researchers. It is however, not available on the basic subscription package.

The Hong Kong Plague Medal

Not technically a British Army medal because it was given by the Hong Kong Community to those who assisted during the 1894 plague in Hong Kong. However, as the majority of recipients were soldiers, and as the medal is included in British Battles and Medals, it gets a mention here.

Instituted:
1894

Qualification:
The silver medal was awarded to around three hundred members of the Shropshire Light Infantry and fifty members of the Royal Navy and Royal Engineers as well as to members of the local police. Around 40 medals were struck in gold and awarded to civilians and nursing sisters (nine).


Description:
36mm diameter medal issued in silver and gold (see above). The obverse portrays a soldier warding off the angel of death whilst a female figure tends to the plague-stricken patient. The words HONG KONG appear in Chinese characters to the left of the soldier, and in the exergue, on a scroll, is the date 1894. The medal was designed by Frank Boucher and this is also indicated to the left of the exergue. The reverse of the medal carries the central text, FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING THE PLAGUE OF 1894, and around the edge within a beaded border: PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.

Ribbon:
32mm wide; Red with yellow edges, and with two thin yellow stripes running down the centre.

Suspension:
Suspended by a 11mm diameter ring which runs through a loop soldered onto the top of the medal

Naming:
In thin indented capitals which give rank, name and regiment but not number.

Clasps:
None issued.

Acknowledgements:
Image courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

China War Medal 1900

Instituted:
1901

Qualification:
Awarded to those who took part in actions against the Chinese in the China War of 1900-1901, more commonly referred to as the Boxer Rebellion.

Description:
36mm diameter silver medal. The obverse portrays the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria, the legend VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse depicts an array of trophies arranged under a palm tree. In the centre is a shield displaying the Royal Arms, and above the whole, the legend, ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM [translated as, they demanded peace by force of arms]. CHINA 1900 appears in the exergue.

The obverse of the medal was designed by G W de Saulles and the reverse by William Wyon RA (1795-1851).

Ribbon:
32mm wide; crimson with yellow edges.

Suspension:
Plain, straight swivelling suspender.

Naming:
Medals to the Royal Navy were impressed in block capitals, others indented in thin block capitals and running script.

Clasps:
Three clasps were issued and these are detailed below. The maximum number of clasps appearing on any one medal is two.

1. TAKU FORTS
Awarded for the action of 17th June 1900 when the Taku Forts were captured by the allied naval force.

2. DEFENCE OF LEGATIONS
Awarded for the actions between 20th June and 14th August 1900.


3. RELIEF OF PEKIN
Awarded for the actions of 10th June to 14th August 1900.

Acknowledgements:
Images courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. British Battles and Medals has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Crimea War Medal

Instituted:
15th December 1854

Qualification:
275,000 medals were awarded to all those who took part in the campaign against the Russians on the Crimean peninsular and on the surrounding waters.

The medal was also issued to some French personnel, some of these medals not bearing the 1854 date. These medals are sometimes found with the clasps, Traktir, Tchernaia, Mer d'Azoff and/or Malakof. French medals were issued un-named.

Description:
36mm diameter silver medal. The obverse portrays the diademed head of Queen Victoria, the legend VICTORIA REGINA, and the date, 1854. The reverse depicts winged Victory crowning with a laurel wreath, a Roman warrior armed with a shield in his left hand, and short sword in his right. The word CRIMEA is positioned vertically - reading from bottom to top, on the left.

The obverse of the medal was designed by William Wyon RA (1795-1851) and the reverse by his son, Benjamin Wyon (1802-1858).




Ribbon:
27mm wide; light blue with yellow edges.

Suspension:
Ornate swivelling suspender unique to this medal.

Naming:
Medals were originally issued unnamed but could be returned for naming free of charge. Those medals that were returned were engraved in indented or square capitals. British Battles & Medals suggests - based on a memo held in The National Archives - that all medals sent out to the Crimea were unnamed whilst those issued in the UK were named.

Men who served aboard HMS London, HMS Niger, HMS Rodney and HMS Wasp had their medals officially impressed. There are also examples of medals which have been unofficially engraved.

Clasps:
Five ornate oak leaf and acorn clasps were issued and these are detailed below. Clasps were supposed to be arranged in order from the bottom up - Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol - although there are many examples of medals with incorrectly ordered clasps. The maximum number of clasps found on any one medal is four.

In addition, unofficial clasps for TRAKTIR, MAMELON VERT, MALAKOFF, MER D'AZOFF and KINBURN are sometimes found on medals awarded to French troops.

1. ALMA
The award of an Alma clasp was announced at the same time as the award of the medal itself. It commemorated the deeds at Alma on the 20th September 1854.

2. BALAKLAVA
The award of the Balaklava clasp was sanctioned on the 23rd February 1855 and commemorated the battle on the 25th October 1854.

3. INKERMANN
Like the Alma clasp, the award of the Inkerman clasp was announced at the same time as the award of the medal itself. It commemorated the battle of Inkermann on the 5th November 1854.

4. SEBASTOPOL
The Sebastopol clasp was sanctioned on the 13th October 1855 and commemorated the siege which began on the 11th September 1854 and ended almost exactly one year later on the 9th September 1855.

5. AZOFF
The Azoff clasp was only awarded to Naval personnel who served in the Sea of Azoff between the 25th May and the 22nd September 1855.

Other:
Because many medals were issued before the last clasp was distributed, there is evidence of a variety of fittings, or indeed omissions if men did not bother to fit the clasp at all.

The reason the date 1854 appears on the obverse of the medal is that the medal was originally awarded to commemorate the battles of Alma and Balaklava only. There has been some interesting discussion on the British Medals Forum about the different dies used for the Crimea War Medal and the variation in how the date 1854 appears. Read the thread HERE.

Acknowledgements:
Obverse image courtesy of Spink, reverse image courtesy Dix Noonan Webb. British Battles and Medals and The Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing Ltd) have been invaluable in putting together the information.

Natal Rebellion Medal

Instituted:
The Natal Government was authorised to issue this medal on the 9th May 1907.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who took part in the suppression of the Zulu rising in 1906.

Description:
36mm diameter silver medal with milled edge featuring the coinage head of King Edward VII on the obverse, and the legend EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR. The reverse depicts Britannia and Natalia, Britannia holding an orb, surmounted by the figure of Peace, and Natalia holding a sword. Natives can be seen in the distance. The word NATAL appears in the exergue.

The medal was designed and manufactured by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company in London. Some bronze trial strikings still exist.

Ribbon:
32mm wide; crimson with black edges.

Suspension:
Plain straight suspender.

Naming:
Officers' medal are engraved, other ranks' impressed. Some unnamed copies also exist.

Clasps:
One clasp - 1906 - was issued. Around 10,000 medals were issued, and of these around 20 per cent were issued without the 1906 clasp. Entitlement to the clasp was to have served for a continuous period of fifty days or more. Medals without the clasp were awarded to men who had served continuously for between twenty and forty-nine days.

Other:
The Natal Rebellion medal was the first medal to be awarded with the sovereign's head facing to the right.

Acknowledgements:
Photograph courtesy of Aberdeen Medals. British Battles and Medals, as always, has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Arctic Medal

Instituted:
Sanctioned on 28th November 1876.

Qualification:
Awarded to the crew of the HMS Alert and HMS Discovery for Arctic exploration between 17th July 1875 and 2nd November 1876. Also authorised to be awarded to the crew of the private yacht Pandora which made two voyages to the Arctic between 25th June and 19th October 1875, and 3rd June and 2nd November 1876.

Description:
36mm diameter silver medal with milled edge featuring the crowned and veiled bust of Queen Victoria on the obverse, and the legend VICTORIA REGINA 1876. The reverse depicts a three-masted ship bound in pack ice. The obverse was designed by George Gammon Adams (1821-1898) and the reverse by Leonard Charles Wyon (1826-1891).

Ribbon:
32mm wide; watered white.

Suspension:
Swivelling straight suspender.

Naming:
In small block lettering.

Clasps:
None issued.

Acknowledgements:
Photograph courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. British Battles and Medals, as always, has been invaluable in putting together the information.

Tibet Medal

Instituted:
Authorised on 1st February 1905.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who took part in the Tibet Mission and to the troops who accompanying it who served at or beyond Silgari between 13th December 1903 and 23rd September 1904.

Description:
36mm diameter medal featuring the bust of King Edward VII on the obverse and the legend EDWARDVS VII KAISAR-I-HIND. The reverse depicts the fortress of Potala Lhassa and the words TIBET 1903-4. The obverse of the medal was designed by G W De Saulles, and the reverse by E G Gillick. The medal was struck in silver and bronze.


Ribbon:
32mm wide; a maroon band in the centre, then a white stripe either side, then green.

Suspension:
The same floreated swivelling suspender used for the India Medal (and later, India General Service Medal).

Naming:
Thick running script.

Clasps:
One clasp was issued for Gyantse. This was awarded to all those who took part in the operation around Gyantse between 3rd May and 6th July 1904.


Acknowledgements:
The photographs are courtesy of Aberdeen Medals, whilst British Battles and Medals, as always, has been invaluable in putting together the information.

India General Service Medal 1908-1935

Instituted:
Approved by King Edward VII on 1st January 1909.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who took part in various Indian campaigns between 1908 and 1935. The medal was never issued without a clasp and a total of twelve clasps were authorised.

Description:
36mm diameter, issued in silver and bronze (but see individual clasps below). There were three versions of the obverse for this medal. The first issue (above) depicts the bust of King Edward VII in uniform and the legend, EDWARDVS VII KAISAR-I-HIND. The second issue, which was started with those medals issued with the Abor 1911-1912 clasp, depicts the crowned and robed bust of King George V and the legend GEORGIVS V KAISAR-I-HIND. The 3rd issue, which was started with those medals issued with the North West Frontier 1930-31 clasp, shows the crowned and robed bust of King George V and the legend GEORGIVS.V.D.G.BRITT.OMN.REX.ET.INDIAE.IMP.

The reverse of all three versions depicts the fort at Jamrud on the Khyber Pass with, below that, the word INDIA over an olive and oak branch tied together by a ribbon.

The medal was designed by Richard Garbe RA (1876-1957).

Suspension:
The same floreated swivelling suspender as those used on previous India General Service Medals.

Ribbon:
32mm wide; green with a dark blue band running down the centre.

Naming:
Varied according to the clasp issued. See details below against each of the clasps.

Clasps:
Twelve clasps were issued for this medal, as follows:

1. North West Frontier 1908
Awarded for the campaign on the North West Frontier between 14th February and 31st May 1908. Naming in running script. Medals with this bar were issued in silver and bronze.


2. Abor 1911-12
Awarded for services against the Abors between 6th October 1911 and 20th April 1912. Naming in running script. Medals with this bar were issued in silver and bronze. This was the first bar to be awarded with the second issue obverse (above).

3. Afghanistan NWF 1919
Awarded for service in the Third Afghan War between 6th May and 8th August 1919. Naming impressed in block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

4. Mahsud 1919-20
Awarded for services in the Mahsud territory between 27th November 1919 and 7th May 1920. Naming impressed in thin block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.



5. Waziristan 1919-21
Awarded for operations against the Tochi, Wana Wazirs and Mahsuds betyween 6th May 1919 and January 1921. Naming impressed in block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

6. Malabar 1921-22
Awarded to all those who took part in the suppression of the Moplah Rebellion in Malabar between 20th August 1921 and 25th February 1922. Naming impressed in block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

7. Waziristan 1921-24
Awarded to all those who took part in the Waziristan operations between 21st December 1921 and 31st March 1924. Naming impressed in thin block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

8. Waziristan 1925
Awarded to all those who took part in the Waziristan operations between 9th March and 1st May 1925. Naming impressed in thin block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

9. North West Frontier 1930-31
Awarded to all those who served in Kohat, Waziristan and the Peshawur District between 21st December 1921 and 31st March 1924. Naming impressed in block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only. This was the first bar to be awarded with the third issue obverse (below).



10. Burma 1930-32
Awarded to all those who were dispatched from India and served in Burma between 22nd December 1930 and 25th March 1932. Naming impressed in small block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

11. Mohmand 1933
Awarded to all those who took part in operations against the Upper Mohmands between 28th July and 3rd October 1933. Naming impressed in thin block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

12. North West Frontier 1935
Awarded to all those who on the North West Frontier between 12th January and 3rd November 1935. Naming impressed in thin block capitals. Medals with this bar were issued in silver only.

Other:
After the 11th August 1920, permission was given for those who had been Mentioned in Despatches to wear the bronze oak leaf on their medal ribbon. Before this date, the MID emblem had been worn on the Inter-Allied Victory Medal.

Acknowledgements:
The photographs are courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb and Spink. Links on the medal images will take you to these companies' websites. British Battles and Medals has, as always, been an invaluable resource in compiling the information.

Also see these other India medal posts:

India General Service Medal 1854-1895
Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-1858
India Medal 1895-1902

India General Service Medal 1854-1895

Instituted:
The institution of the medal with the clasp 'Pegu' was announced by a General Order of the Governor-General on the 22nd December 1853. The Governor-General's recommendation for additional clasps to be added, rather than the multiplication of medals, was approved on 1st March 1854.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who took part in various Indian campaigns between 1852 and 1895. The medal was never issued without a clasp and twenty-four of these were issued in total.

Description:
36mm diameter, issued in silver and bronze. The obverse depicts the diademed head of Queen Victoria and the legend VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse shows winged Victory crowning a seated warrior. The obverse was designed by William Wyon RA, the reverse by his son, Leonard Charles Wyon.

Suspension:
A floreated swivelling suspension.

Ribbon:
32mm wide; crimson with two dark blue stripes.

Naming:
Varied according to the clasp issued. See details below against each of the clasps.

Clasps:
Twenty-four clasps were issued for this medal, as follows:

1. Pegu (below)
Awarded for the campaign in Burma between 18th March 1852 and 30th June 1853. Naming impressed in block capitals. Letters on Naval medals are smaller than those on army medals.


2. Persia
Awarded for actions in Herat (Afghanistan) and Persia between 5th December 1856 and 8th February 1857. The clasp was authorised on the 12th April 1858. Naming impressed in block capitals. Letters on Naval medals are smaller than those on army medals.

3. North West Frontier
Authorised on 1st July 1869 for 15 separate expeditions which took place between 3rd December 1849 and 22nd October 1868. Medals engraved in running script and in block capitals to some British officers.

4. Umbeyla
Authorised on 1st July 1869 and awarded to those who took part in the action against Muslim fanatics between 20th October and 23rd December 1863. Medals are named in block capitals.

5. Bhootan
Authorised on 22nd March 1870 and awarded to those who took part in the Bhootan Campaign between December 1864 and February 1866. Medals are named in square capitals to Europeans and in script to natives.

6. Looshai
Authorised on 1st December 1872 for the action in Looshai which took place between 9th December 1871 and 20th February 1872. Medals are named in a thin running script.

7. Perak
Authorised on 1st September 1879 for actions between the 2nd November 1875 and 20th March 1876. Medals are named in sloping capitals. This clasp was originally authorised as Perak 1875-76 although it was ultimately issued with the dates omitted.

8. Jowaki 1877-8
Authorised on 1st March 1879 for actions against the Jowaki Afrideis between 9th November 1877 and 19th January 1878. Medals are named in impressed block capitals.

9. Naga 1879-80
Authorised on 24th June 1881. This clasp was first awarded to those who took part in action against the Nagas between December 1879 and January 1880. It was later extended to cover an earlier campaign against the tribe in January 1875. Medals are named in thin running script.


10. Burma 1885-7
Authorised on 1st August 1887 for those who took part in the Burma expedition between 14th November 1885 and 30th April 1887. For the first time, bronze medals (see above) were also awarded to Government followers who accompanied the troops. Medals are named in light script, except those awarded to Naval personnel which were impressed.

11. Sikkim 1888
Authorised on 1st June 1889 and awarded to those who took part in the Sikkim Campaign between 15th March and 27th September 1888. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in a thin running script.

12. Hazara 1888
This clasp was also authorised on 1st June 1889 and was awarded to the Hazara Field Force for their involvement between 3rd October and 9th November 1888. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in a thin running script.

13. Burma 1887-89
This clasp was authorised on 1st December 1889 and was awarded to those who took part in the Burma Campaign between 1st May 1887 and 31st March 1889. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in a thin running script.

14. Burma 1887-9
This rare clasp, issued by the Royal Mint, has the same criteria as the Burma 1887-89 clasp.

15. Chin Lushai 1889-90
Authorised on 1st February 1891 and awarded for the actions against the Chin and Lushai tribes between 13th November 1889 and 30th April 1890. Issued in silver and bronze and named in a bold running script.

16. Samana 1891
Authorised on 1st December 1891 and was awarded to those who took part in the Samana Campaign between 5th April and 25th May 1891. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in a thin running script.


17. Hazara 1891 (above)
Authorised on 1st December 1892 and awarded to those who took part in actions against the Hussanzais and Akazais between 12th March and 16th May 1891. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in running script.

18. Hunza 1891
This clasp was authorised on 1st September 1892 and was awarded to those who took part in the expedition to Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar between 1st and 22nd December 1891. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in running script.

19. N E Frontier 1891
This clasp was authorised on 1st June 1892 and was awarded to those who took part in the Manipur Expedition between 28th March and 7th May 1891. Silver and bronze medals were issued and were named in running script.

20. Burma 1889-92
This clasp was authorised on 1st September 1893 and was awarded to those who took part in the eleven operations against bandits in that country between 16th April 1889 and 18th April 1892. Silver and bronze medals were issued and named in a thin running script.

21. Lushai 1889-92
This clasp was authorised on 1st September 1893 and was awarded for five small expeditions into the Lushai Hills between 11th January 1889 and 8th June 1892. Silver and bronze medals were issued. There two naming styles for medals with this clasp. Medals to British troops except the KRRC were named in large bold block letters. Medals to the KRRC and native troops are named in engraved script.

22. Chin Hills 1892-93
This clasp was authorised on 9th January 1903 for expeditions against the Chin tribes between 19th October 1892 and 10th March 1893. Silver and bronze medals were issued and named in a small running script. Medals to the Norfolk Regiment are often seen as having been issued officially renamed.



23. Kachin Hills 1892-93 (above)
Authorised on the 9th January 1903 for expeditions into the Kachin Hills between 3rd December 1892 and 3rd March 1893. Silver and bronze medals were issued and named in bold running script.

24. Waziristan 1894-5
Authorised on 1st September 1895 for operations in Waziristan between 22nd October 1894 and 13th March 1895. Silver and bronze medals were issued and named in running script.

Other:
The maximum number of known bars on a single medal is seven, although the Official History of the Bengal Army makes reference to nine or ten bars being possessed by some officers and soldiers of native soldiers. Clasps may be found on medals in an incorrect order and fitted in a variety of fashions.

Acknowledgements:
The photographs are courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb and Spink. Links on the individual images take you to these companies' websites. British Battles and Medals has, as always, been an invaluable resource in compiling the information.

Major John Simpson Knox VC

Deep pockets will be the order of the day next April. On the 22nd of the month, Spink Auction House will be offering for sale the first ever VC awarded to a soldier of the British Army.

Major John Simpson Knox was a sergeant with the Scots Fusilier Guards during the Crimean War and was present with his regiment in all of the Crimean engagements. His Crimea Medal, sold as part of the group, bears the clasps Alma, Balaclava, Inkermann and Sebastopol. The other two medals in the group are (from left to right, above), the French Legion of Honour and the Turkish Crimean Medal.


It was principally for his gallantry and leadership at the Alma on 20th September 1854 that Sergeant John Knox (pictured above, wearing his medals) was recommended for the Victoria Cross. The entry in The London Gazette of 24th February 1857 reads:

River Alma, Crimea, 20 September 1854, Sergeant John Knox, Scots ( Fusilier ) Guards.

When serving as a Serjeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards. Lieutenant Knox was conspicuous for his exertions in reforming the ranks of the Guards at the Battle of the Alma. Subsequently, when in the Rifle Brigade, he volunteered for the ladder party in the attack on the Redan, on the 18th of June, and ( in the words of Captain Blackett, under whose command he was ) behaved admirably, remaining on the field until twice wounded.


The medals are to be sold with the cannonball (above) which took off Knox's left arm at Sebastopol. He was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at Hyde Park on the 26th June 1857.


John Knox's entry for the Crimea Medal with Alma and Inkerman clasps, above. The group is expected to sell for upwards of £120,000.

Acknowledgements:

The Daily Telegraph for the medal group; Spink for the cannonball, The National Archives for the medal roll entry,

Further Information:

John Simpson Knox VC
Lord Ashcroft's VC collection
Victoria Crosses at Dix Noonan Webb
Spink

India Medal

Instituted:
An Army Order of 1st April 1896 authorised the India Medal and two clasps for the Defence of Chitral 1895 and the Relief of Chitral 1895.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who took part in North-West Frontier operations between 1895 and 1902.

Description:
There were two issues of this medal, one depicting the head of Queen Victoria, and the other depicting the bust of King Edward VII. Both medals were silver, 36mm diameter, although the Edward version has a thinner gauge.

1. Queen Victoria (first issue)
The obverse depicts the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria and the legend, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. The reverse portrays a British soldier on the left and a Punjabi warrior on the right, both men supporting the same standard. The word INDIA appears on the left, and the date 1895 on the right. Thomas Brock (1847-1922) designed the obverse and George William de Saulles (1862-1903), the reverse.

2. King Edward VII (second issue)
The obverse depicts the bust of King Edward VII in Field Marshall's uniform and the legend, EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR. The reverse is the same as above but with the date omitted. Both the obverse and reverse of the second issue were designed by George William de Saulles.

The medal could be issued in silver or bronze.

Suspension:
A floreated swivelling suspension.

Ribbon:
32mm wide; crimson with two dark green stripes down the centre.

Naming:
Generally in running script. However, medals with the Punjab Frontier clasp or Tirah clasp awarded to the Highland Light Infantry are named in block capitals.

Clasps:
Seven clasps were issued for this medal, as follows:


1. Defence of Chitral 1895
Awarded for the Defence of the Indian state of Chitral on the North West Frontier between 3rd March and 19th April 1895 (above).

2. Relief of Chitral 1895
Awarded for the Relief of Chitral on between 7th March and 15th August 1895.

3. Punjab Frontier 1897-98
Awarded for actions between 10th June 1897 and 6th April 1898. The clasp was authorised in June 1898.

4. Malakand 1897
Awarded for to those who took part in the defence and relief of Chakdara and Malakand between 26th July and 2nd August 1897.

5. Samana 1897
Awarded to the garrisons beyond Kohat for the part they played between 2nd August and 2nd October 1897. This clasp, authorised in June 1898, is always paired with at least one other clasp.

6. Tirah 1897-98
This clasp, authorised in June 1898, was awarded to the Tirah Expeditionary Force for the role it played between 2nd October 1897 and 6th April 1898. Like the Samana 1897 clasp, the Tirah clasp was never awarded singly.


7. Waziristan 1901-2
This bar was awarded to those who were engaged in the Mahsud and Waziri districts between 23rd November 1801 and 10th March 1902. It was authorised in March 1903. All single clasp Waziristan 1901-2 medals were issued with the Edward VII medal version (above).

Acknowledgements:
The photographs are courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb, whilst British Battles and Medals has, as always, proven invaluable in compiling the information.

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.

China War Medal

Instituted:
1843.

Qualification:
Awarded to all those who had taken part in the following actions: "In the Canton River, in the operations at Chusan in 1841 and 1842. At Amoy, Ningpo, at Chinpae, at Tsekee, Chapoo, in the River Woosung, in the Yangtse Kiang, and at the assualt of Chiang-Kiang Foo" [from a letter by Lord Stanley to the Duke of Wellington on 5th January 1843].

Description:
Silver, 36mm diameter. The obverse portrays the diademed head of Queen Victoria with the legend, VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms surrounded by a collection of war trophies under a palm tree. The inscription ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM [Trans: They demanded peace by force of arms] appears above, whilst in the exergue is the word CHINA and underneath that, the date 1842. The medal was designed by William Wyon RA.

Suspension:
A straight nickel silver suspension.

Ribbon:
32mm wide; crimson with two 6mm yellow edges.

Naming:
Impressed in roman capitals.

Clasps:
None.

Other:
The reverse of the original design of this medal, also designed by William Wyon, showed the British lion trampling the fallen Chinese dragon. ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM appeared above, whilst NANKING, and underneath that, 1842, appeared in the exergue. This version of the medal was never issued however, as it was considered to be offensive to the Chinese. Despite this, specimens of this medal are known to exist.

Acknowledgements:
The photograph comes from the Spink and Son July 2009 catalogue whilst British Battles and Medals has, as usual, been invaluable in putting the information together.