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Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal: CM.1298-2009

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An image of Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: William IV (1830-37) (Struck in the rule of)
Artist: Pistrucci, Benedetto

Entities

Categories

Description

The first long-service medal instituted in Britain was this one of 1830, which King William IV intended should be awarded to any soldier who were given a gratuity at their discharge in recognition of their good service. His instructions specify: "The men entitled to this Medal must have completed twenty-one years of actual service in the Infantry, or twenty-four in the Cavalry, never have been convicted by Court Martial, and must have borne an irreproachable character, or have particularly distinguished themselves in the Service."
Benedetto Pistrucci came up with the elaborate design on the obverse; it includes the shield of Hanover, where however a separate long-service medal would be later issued by William. This medal was awarded to Sergeant-Major H. Kingshott, of the Waggon Train. Lester Watson purchased it at some point before 1928.

Notes

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

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.1 mm
Weight: 35.71 g

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

Production date: AD 1833

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Collection of war trophies with royal shield at centre

  • Text: FOR / LONG SERVICE / AND / GOOD CONDUCT
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Inscription

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1298-2009
Primary reference Number: 141392
Watson Catalogue: 201
Ordering: M-0181
Previous object number: LW.0181

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) "Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141392 Accessed: 2025-12-15 00:11:12

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141392 |title=Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-15 00:11:12|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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