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Home » Canada Remembers » Records & Collections » Canadian Orders, Medals and Decorations » Canadian Military Medals and Decorations » War Medals (1866-1918) » King's South Africa Medal (1901-1902)

War Medals (1866-1918) - King's South Africa Medal

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Terms

The King's South Africa Medal was awarded to all troops who served in South Africa on or after 01 January 1902, and completed 18 months service before 01 June 1902. The medal was not issued alone but always with the Queen's Medal.

Bars

South Africa 1901: Awarded for service during 1901 towards the required service of 18 months;

South Africa 1902: Awarded to those who served during 1902.

Canadians were almost always awarded the medal and both bars, although it was possible to receive the medal with only the 1902 bar.

Description

A circular, silver medal, 1.52 inches in diameter.

Obverse

The obverse shows King Edward VII, in Field Marshal's uniform, facing left, with the legend EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR.

Reverse

Britannia is depicted holding the Union Flag in her left hand and a laurel wreath in her right. The right background shows troops marching to the coast and the left shows two men-of-war. Around the top are the words: SOUTH AFRICA.

Mounting

A plain, straight, suspender is attached to the medal with a double-toe claw.

Ribbon

The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, and consists of three equal stripes (left to right): light green, white, and orange.

Dates

The medal was authorized in 1902.

Naming

Indented block or sloping capitals were used for the recipient's name.

Issued

There were 154 medals to Canadians: Canadian Scouts 133 and 2 CMR 21.

Approximately 200 more Canadians would have received this medal because they returned to South Africa for a second tour but due to the long sea voyages, they did not serve the required 18 months and only received the SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and/or the SOUTH AFRICA 1902 bars to their Queen's South Africa Medal. Those Canadians that did receive the King's South Africa Medal were troops who remained in South Africa and transferred to units (eg LSH to Canadian Scouts or to the South African Constabulary / RCA to 2 Canadian Mounted Rifles or to Canadian Scouts).