THE CAPE OR SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL.

On the 22nd. of November, 1854, a general order was issued, announcing that the Queen had been pleased to command that a medal should be prepared, “to commemorate the success of her Majesty’s Forces in the wars in which they were engaged against the Kaffirs, in the years 1834–5, 1846–7, and in the period between the 24th. of December, 1850, and the 6th. of February, 1853; one of which was to be conferred on every surviving officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier of the regular forces, including the officers of the staff, and the officers and men of the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, 200and Sappers and Miners, who actually served in the field against the enemy in South Africa, at the periods alluded to, excluding those who may have been dismissed for subsequent misconduct, or who have deserted and are absent.”

The obverse has the Queen’s head, with the inscription Victoria Regina. On the reverse is the lion crouching under a shrub, above which are the words South Africa, and beneath the year “1853.” The ribbon is orange, with dark blue stripes. No clasp was granted with this medal for any of the actions fought during the campaigns between 1834, and 1853. The same medal, or rather one similar, with the substitution of crossed assegais and a shield in the exergue, instead of the date 1853 (ribbon the same), was given for the campaigns in Kaffraria, Basutoland, and Zululand; against the Galekas and Gaikas 1877–78, the Griquas 1878, Basutos 1879, Zulus 1879, and Sekukuni 1878–79. The dates of the campaigns are given on the only clasp issued.

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