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Médaille Commémorative des Campagnes d'Afrique 1914-1917: CM.1158-2009

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Ruler: Albert I (1875-1934) (Struck in the rule of)
State: Belgium

Entities

Categories

Description

The Great War of 1914-18 was not confined to the trenches of France. In particular, numerous overseas campaigns were pursued against German colonies in Africa and the Far East. From the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) attacks were mounted on German East Africa (now Rwanda, Burundi and part of Tanzania) and Cameroon (now split between Nigeria and modern-day Cameroon), as well as fighting in the British possessions of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and on the frontiers of the Congo itself.
This medal was issued to participants in any of the Belgian state's campaigns in Africa during the Great War. Two issues were made, one in 1917 covering campaigns as far as 1916, and a later in 1918 which included the 1917 battles. A final bar was added in 1931.
The medal was issued in silver for European recipients, and bronze for Africans. This example, which is unnamed, is from the first issue and though in silvered bronze was probably awarded to a European. It is however unnamed, and the recipient cannot be identified. Lester Watson purchased the medal from the London dealer Baldwin in 1927.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Baldwin 1927

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 30.3 mm
Weight: 16.39 g

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

Production date: AD 1916

Note

Silvered

Materials used in production

Bronze

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Lion guardant with forepaws on rock with mountain pass background

  • Text: 1914*1916 / KAMERUN / OUESSO ASSOBAM / MULUNDU JAUNDE / AFRIQUE ORIENTALE ALLEMANDE / KIGALI / NYANSA UDJIJI / USUMBARA BIARAMULO / KITEGA / St MICHAEL / TABORA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Inscription divided by plant ornament

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1158-2009
Primary reference Number: 141252
Watson Catalogue: 44
Ordering: M-0041
Previous object number: LW.0041
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) "Médaille Commémorative des Campagnes d'Afrique 1914-1917" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141252 Accessed: 2024-11-22 04:30:34

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141252 |title=Médaille Commémorative des Campagnes d'Afrique 1914-1917 |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-22 04:30:34|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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