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Africa General Service Medal: CM.1131-2009

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An image of Africa General Service Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: George V (1910-36)
Artist: Saulles, George W. de
Ruler: GEORGIUS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND IMP: (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

Numerous actions in the British-controlled parts of Africa were felt to merit the award of a medal, but not a distinct one for every action. The Africa General Service Medal replaced the East and West Africa Medal which had previously been awarded for service in this theatre. Bars were awarded for a variety of small campaigns, sometimes only one expedition and sometimes rather more complex operations.
The campaign for which this medal was awarded was a native police operation that quelled a small rising in the Shire Highlands of Nyasaland (now part of Malawi).
It was awarded to Private Msosa of the Blantyre Native Police. Lester Watson purchased it in the auction of the Hamilton Smith Collection, of which it had formed part, in 1927 (Glendining, 20-21 July 1927, lot 965).

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, acquired in Hamilton Smith auction (Glendining, 20-21 July 1927, lot 956)

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 39.14 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

Production date: AD 1916

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of George facing left

  • Text: GEORGIUS V BRITT. OMN: REX ET IND. IMP.
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Britannia with lion gesturing right to sun on horizon

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1131-2009
Primary reference Number: 141225
Watson Catalogue: 14
Ordering: M-0014
Previous object number: LW.0014

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Africa General Service Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141225 Accessed: 2025-12-05 14:48:05

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141225 |title=Africa General Service Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 14:48:05|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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