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Ruler:
Albert I (1875-1934)
(Struck in the rule of)
State:
Belgium
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.
History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Baldwin 1927
Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009
Diameter: 30.3 mm
Weight: 16.39 g
Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester
Production date: AD 1916
Silvered
Inscription present: Lion guardant with forepaws on rock with mountain pass background
Inscription present: Inscription divided by plant ornament
Accession number: CM.1158-2009
Primary reference Number: 141252
Watson Catalogue: 44
Ordering: M-0041
Previous object number: LW.0041
Stable URI
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Coins and Medals
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: 2024-11-08 13:31:23
To cite this record on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:
{{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=2024-11-08 13:31:23|publisher=The
University of Cambridge}}
To call these data via our API (remember this needs to be authenticated) you can use this code snippet:
https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/api/v1/objects/object-141252
To use this as a simple code embed, copy this string:
<div class="text-center">
<figure class="figure">
<img src="https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/imagestore/cm/cm15/LW_0041_281_29.jpg"
alt="Médaille Commémorative des Campagnes d'Afrique 1914-1917"
class="img-fluid" />
<figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">Médaille Commémorative des Campagnes d'Afrique 1914-1917</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
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