When was the Queen's South Africa Medal instituted?
The Queen's South Africa Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1900 for service in the Second Boer War, which ran from the 11th of October 1899 to the 31st of May 1902.
Questions about Queen's South Africa Medal
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many Queen's South Africa Medals were awarded?
Approximately 178,000 Queen's South Africa Medals were awarded in total. Roughly 1,500 of these were presented unnamed during the 1901 tour of Australia and New Zealand by the future King George V.
How many clasps were awarded with the Queen's South Africa Medal?
Twenty-six clasps were authorized for the Queen's South Africa Medal, covering specific battles, state service, and date periods. The maximum number awarded to any single recipient was nine clasps.
Who was eligible to receive the Queen's South Africa Medal?
Eligibility extended to British Army and Royal Navy personnel, hospital nurses, colonial forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and India, locally raised units from the Cape of Good Hope and Natal, war correspondents, and non-enlisted men of any nationality who drew military pay. Collaborators from the South African Republic and Orange Free State known as hensoppers also qualified.
What do the three versions of the Queen's South Africa Medal reverse look like?
The first version, designed by G. W. de Saulles, shows Britannia with the years "1899" and "1900" and the wreath nearly touching the "R" of "AFRICA"; only approximately fifty were awarded. The second version had those years machined off, sometimes leaving ghost impressions. The third version was struck from new dies without dates, with the wreath positioned near the "F" of "AFRICA".
What is the difference between the Queen's South Africa Medal and the King's South Africa Medal?
The King's South Africa Medal was instituted in 1902 by King Edward VII for personnel who served in South Africa after the 1st of January 1902 and completed at least 18 months of service before the war ended. It was always awarded in addition to the Queen's Medal, never instead of it, and takes lower precedence in the British order of wear.