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East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900): CM.1209-2009

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Artist: Wyon, Leonard Charles
Artist: Poynter, Edward John
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

Peace-keeping operations in the British possessions in Africa, as anywhere else, required a large number of small campaigns, several of which, from 1892 until 1900, were considered to merit this medal, which in terms of design is a continuation of the Ashantee War Medal. Recipients who held that medal already were therefore awarded only extra clasps.
British interests in Sierra Leone had a rather unusual history, as the first colony in the area, Freetown, was established as a utopian new home for liberated slaves. Not only did these ex-slaves revolt at least once, but as the number of quasi-repatriated settlers in the country grew, the indigenous peoples of the area rose up several times in defence of their diminishing control of their homeland. In 1898 and 1899 a British military force was active on what was then called the Brempe River and around Sherboro Island in order to quell such a revolt.
This medal was awarded to Private Momo Duko, of the West African Rifles, one of the soldiers involved in that campaign (very few of these medals were awarded to Europeans). Lester Watson acquired the medal at some point before 1928.

Notes

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

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 38.17 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

1892 - 1900

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left with veil

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Scene of bush fighting around tree with fallen African to fore

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1209-2009
Primary reference Number: 141303
Watson Catalogue: 102
Ordering: M-0092
Previous object number: LW.0092
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) "East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900)" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141303 Accessed: 2024-03-28 14:56:01

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141303 |title=East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-03-28 14:56:01|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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