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East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900): CM.1212-2009

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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.
The Benin 1897 bar was given for involvement in the conquest of the previously independent Kingdom of Benin, which had existed since the 14th century. This campaign was occasioned by the slaying of eight British representatives there in 1896, in a time of increasing tension over the palm-oil trade, which Benin protected fiercely. The resultant Punitive Expedition captured and looted Benin City, which is now in Nigeria. The bar was awarded to personnel of the Navy not for this attack, however, but for the capture of the seaboard towns of Gwato (Ughoton) and Sapobo.
This example was awarded to Pvt. G. Brown of the Royal Marines, whose unit were berthed for the campaign aboard the by-now veteran HMS St George. (The Watson Collection also includes medals awarded to men of this ship from the Brass River and M'wele campaigns of 1895-1896.) 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: 36.4 mm
Weight: 38.44 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.1212-2009
Primary reference Number: 141306
Watson Catalogue: 105
Ordering: M-0095
Previous object number: LW.0095
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/141306 Accessed: 2024-10-13 01:30:20

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141306 |title=East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-10-13 01:30:20|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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