Note 229 — THE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.

Medals granted for service in the field, as well as medals and gratuities, and medals and annuities, for good conduct, are forfeited by soldiers on conviction of desertion or felony, or being sentenced to penal servitude, or on discharge with ignominy. They are also liable to forfeiture by sentence of court-martial, on conviction of disgraceful conduct; or, in case of sergeants, on reduction to the ranks. Medals thus forfeited are transmitted to the Horse Guards, in order to their being returned to the Mint. Under certain regulations lost medals are replaced; if the loss be proved to have occurred from carelessness or neglect, the loser may be recommended to the Commander-in-Chief for a new medal, at his own expense, after two years’ absence from the regimental defaulters’ book. In order to justify the replacement of a medal at the public expense, the loss must be shewn to have occurred while on duty, or by some accident entirely beyond the control of the loser; in all other cases, such as the loss of a medal cut from a tunic, or stolen from the person, the soldier has to pay for it himself. In cases wherein the clasps are not lost, they are forwarded to the Adjutant-General to be attached to the new medal. When medals are designedly made away with, or pawned, the soldier is to be tried by court-martial, and, if convicted, put under stoppages, the amount being credited to the public. After five years’ absence from the regimental defaulters’ book, the offender may be recommended for a new medal, on again paying the value thereof.