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Africa General Service Medal: CM.1136-2009

An image of Africa General Service Medal

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: Edward VII (1901-10)
Artist: Saulles, George W. de
Ruler: Edwardvs VII rex imperator (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.
This medal was awarded to the British forces involved in an operation against the Dervish forces of the so-called `Mad Mullah', Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, at Kismayu in modern-day Somalia. These included not only Army troops, but Marines landed by three Royal Navy vessels to supplement the Kismayu garrison, and the crews of those ships also.
This medal was awarded to Able-Bodied Seaman C. Spear, of the 2nd-class cruiser HMS Magicienne. Lester Watson purchased it from the London dealers Spink at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Spink before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.4 mm
Weight: 39.23 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

Production date: AD 1901

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Edward facing left

  • Text: EDWARDVS REX VII IMPERATOR
  • 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.1136-2009
Primary reference Number: 141230
Watson Catalogue: 19
Ordering: M-0019
Previous object number: LW.0019
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 15 January 2024 Last processed: Monday 15 January 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 (2024) "Africa General Service Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141230 Accessed: 2024-11-25 07:11:01

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141230 |title=Africa General Service Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-25 07:11:01|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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