571. Campaign in Egypt: Battle of Alexandria, 1801. _Obv._
Sphinx l., displaying Union Jack above French tricolour on the
same staff. EGYPT; _engraved_; in ex., XXI. MARCH, MDCCCI. I.
G. H. K. & K. _Rev._ Within wreath of palm, QUEEN'S GERMAN
REGIMENT; on edge, FRENCH DEFEATED; _engraved_. Silver. Size
1·85. By J. G. Hancock.
This is a regimental medal and was struck by order of the officers of
the 97th or Queen's German Regiment, for presentation to the men of the
regiment who were engaged in the battle of Alexandria, 21 Mar. 1801.
572. Another. Turkish Award, 1801. _Obv._ Crescent and star;
ornamental border. _Rev._ Cypher of Sultán Selim III.;
ornamental border, in which 1801. Gold. Size 1·6. Loop for
suspension. Ribbon, dark orange.
After the defeat of the French in Egypt 1801, the Sultán instituted an
order of Knighthood designated the Crescent, which he conferred on the
general officers of the English forces. At the same time he presented
gold medals of three sizes: the largest (size 2.) to the Generals and
Admirals; the middle size (as above) to Field Officers and Captains
R.N.; and the smallest (see next medal) to Captains and Subalterns and
Lieutenants R.N.
573. Another. Same, but smaller. Gold. Size 1·4. This is a
medal of the smallest size.
574. Campaign in Southern Italy and Sicily: Battle of Maida,
1806. _Obv._ Head of George III. l., laur. GEORGIVS TERTIVS
REX; on neck, G. F. P. _Rev._ Britannia l., as Pallas,
brandishing spear; on l. arm, shield; above, Victory r. with
wreath; behind, triquetra, symbol of Sicily. MAIDA. IVL. IV.
MDCCCVI. PIDGEON F. Gold. Size 1·4. By G. F. Pidgeon. The whole
within gold band. Ribbon, red with blue edges.
This medal commemorates the battle of Maida, 4 July, 1806, in which
the French under Regnier were defeated by the English under Sir
John Stuart. It was only given to the Commander-in-chief of the
forces engaged; to officers in command of brigades, of battalions
or of corps equivalent to a battalion, or to the officers who
succeeded when the original commander was disabled; and to the Deputy
Quartermaster-General.
575. Peninsular War: Battles of the Pyrenees, 1813—1814. _Obv._
Hibernia seated l., holding wreath; at her side, harp. _Rev._
Within laurel-wreath, ORTHES. TOULOUSE. PYRENEES. NIVELLE.
NIVE; _engraved_: above, 88; wearer's name on edge. Silver.
Size 1·2. Clasp: PENINSULA. Ribbon, red with blue edges.
There were medals of three distinct classes for the Peninsular War
struck at the expense of the officers of the 88th Regiment, Connaught
Rangers. That of the first class was in the form of a Maltese cross,
and was bestowed upon those of the regiment who had been engaged in
twelve actions. The second class medal, of the type above described,
was given to those who had served in from seven to eleven actions; and
the third class, of the same type as the second, to such as had served
in any number less than seven. The above is an example of the third
class.
576. Waterloo Medal, 1815. _Obv._ Head of Prince Regent l.,
laur. GEORGE P. REGENT. T. WYON JUN. S. _Rev._ Victory, holding
palm and olive-branch, seated l., on pedestal inscribed,
WATERLOO; beneath, JUNE 18. 1815; above, WELLINGTON. T. WYON S.
Wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By T. Wyon and T. Wyon
Junior. Ribbon, crimson edged with blue.
By order of the Prince Regent, 10 Mar. 1816, this medal was conferred
upon every officer and soldier present at the battle of Waterloo. The
reverse type is adapted from an ancient coin of Elis. (Guide to Greek
Coins, p. 28, No. 31.)
577. Service in India, 1799—1826. _Obv._ Head of Queen l.,
wearing coronet. VICTORIA REGINA; on neck, W. WYON R.A.
_Rev._ Victory seated l., holding olive-branch and wreath;
at her side, lotus; in the distance, trophy of arms at base
of palm-tree. TO THE ARMY OF INDIA; in ex., 1799—1826. W. W.
Wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Clasp:
BHURTPOOR. Ribbon, pale blue.
On 21 March, 1851, a general order was issued announcing that the
Queen had signified her assent to a measure proposed by the East India
Company, of granting a medal to the surviving officers and soldiers of
the Crown who had served in India between 1799—1826. This medal carries
21 clasps, and with it were worn those of Mysore and Seringapatam (Nos.
609—611), previously given by the East India Company.
578. Campaign in Syria, 1840: Turkish Award. _Obv._ Fortress
of Acre, from which floats Turkish ensign; above, six stars;
beneath, Arabic inscription, "The country of Syria and the
fortress of Acre, 1256." _Rev._ Cypher of Sultán Abd-el-Mejeed
surrounded by laurel-wreath. Silver. Size 1·15. Ribbon, red
edged with white.
This medal was bestowed by the Sultán upon the English naval forces
engaged in the war in Syria, 1840: in gold, to officers ranking with
field-officers; in silver, to quarter-deck and warrant officers; and in
copper, to petty officers, seamen, marines, and boys.
579. Afghan War, 1839—42. Ghuznee, 1839. _Obv._ View of
fortress; beneath, GHUZNEE. _Rev._ Within laurel-wreath, mural
crown; above, 23^Ḍ JULY; below, 1839; wearer's name in field
and regiment on border. Silver. Size 1·45. Ribbon, crimson and
green.
This medal was presented by the Shah Shuja'a el-Mulk, Sovereign of
Afghanistan, to the officers and soldiers present at the storming
of Ghuznee, 22—23 July, 1839, Sir John Keane commanding. The Queen
sanctioned the wearing of this medal, 22 Mar. 1841.
580—581. Another. Khelat-i-Ghilzee, 1841—2. _Obv._ Within
laurel-wreath, shield inscribed, KELAT I GHILZIE; above, mural
crown. _Rev._ Trophy of arms on tablet inscribed, INVICTA.
MDCCCXLII. Silver and copper. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Ribbon,
military ribbon of India, rainbow-pattern.
Presented by the Governor-General of India, Lord Ellenborough, to
the defenders of the fortress of Khelát-i-Ghilzee, who 21 May, 1842,
repulsed the attack of 4000 Ghazees. The defenders were natives, with
the exception of Captain J. H. Craigie commanding and a few English
artillerymen in the service of the Shah, so that no Queen's regiment
received this medal. This is a proof.
582. Another: Candahar, Ghuznee, and Cabul, 1842. _Obv._ Head
of Queen l., wearing coronet. VICTORIA VINDEX. W. WYON R.A.
_Rev._ Within laurel-wreath, CANDAHAR GHUZNEE CABUL. 1842;
above, crown; wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W.
Wyon. Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
This medal was given to the soldiers who served under General Nott
during the whole of the campaign, and accompanied him from Candahar to
Cabul, viz. from 1 Jan. to 17 Sept. 1842.
583. Another: Ghuznee and Cabul, 1842. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._
GHUZNEE CABUL, each within laurel-wreath; above, crown; below,
1842; wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon.
Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
The soldiers who accompanied General Nott from Ghuznee to Cabul, viz.
from 6 to 17 Sep., received this medal.
584. Another. Cabul, 1842. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._ Within
laurel-wreath, CABUL. 1842; above, crown. Silver. Size 1·4. By
W. Wyon. Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
Those who reached Cabul subsequent to 16 Sept. 1842 were awarded the
above medal. This is a proof.
585—586. First Chinese War, 1840—2. _Obv._ Head of Queen
l., wearing coronet. VICTORIA REGINA. W. WYON. R.A. _Rev._
Palm-tree, against which are placed shield, arms of Great
Britain, cannon, anchor, flags, &c. ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM.
CHINA. 1842; wearer's name on edge. Silver and copper (proof).
Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Ribbon, crimson with yellow edges.
This medal was awarded to the army and navy which served in the First
Chinese War, Sir Hugh Gough and Adm. Sir William Parker commanding.
587. Another: Design for Medal. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._ British
lion r., crowned, trampling on Chinese dragon. ARMIS EXPOSCERE
PACEM. NANKING. 1842. Copper. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. A pattern.
This was Wyon's first design for the Chinese medal, but it was not
adopted, as it was thought that the reverse type might be displeasing
to the Chinese.
588. Sinde Campaign, 1843: Meeanee and Hyderabad. _Obv._ Same.
_Rev._ Within laurel-wreath, MEEANEE HYDERABAD. 1843; above,
crown; wearer's name on edge. Silver, Size 1·4. By W. Wyon.
Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
Given to those who served at Meeanee, 17 Feb., and Hyderabad, 22
Mar. 1843. The expedition was commanded by Sir Charles Napier, and
both victories were mainly due to the bravery of the men of the 22nd
Regiment, who were authorized to place MEEANEE, HYDERABAD, and SCINDE
on their colours.
589. Another. Hyderabad, 1842. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._ Similar; but
HYDERABAD. 1843; wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4, By W.
Wyon. Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
This medal was awarded to those who were engaged in the battle of
Hyderabad; a similar medal being struck for those who served at Meeanee
only. It was also given to officers and men of the Indian Navy.
590. First Sikh War, 1845—6: Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur, Aliwal, and
Sobraon. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._ Victory l., holding wreath and
palm; at her feet, arms. ARMY OF THE SUTLEJ; in ex., MOODKEE.
1845. W. WYON. R.A. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Clasps:
FEROZESHUHUR, ALIWAL, and SOBRAON. Ribbon, blue edged with
crimson.
The great battles of this campaign, Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Henry
Hardinge commanding, were Moodkee, 18 Dec. 1845; Ferozeshuhur, 21 Dec.
1845; Aliwal, 28 Jun. 1846; and Sobraon, 10 Feb. 1846. If a soldier was
present at only one of the four actions, the decoration was awarded to
him without a clasp, the name of such action being inscribed in the
exergue on the reverse; but if the recipient served in more battles
than one, then for each engagement he received an additional clasp.
(See next medal.) This is a proof.
591. Another: Aliwal and Sobraon, 1846. Same: but on reverse
ALIWAL. 1846; wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W.
Wyon. Clasp: SOBRAON. Ribbon, as previous.
This medal shows that the recipient was present at two engagements,
Aliwal and Sobraon.
592. Military Services, 1793—1814: Peninsular War. _Obv._ Same:
but beneath head, 1848. _Rev._ Queen on pedestal r., placing
wreath on head of Duke of Wellington, who kneels before her;
at her feet, recumbent lion. TO THE BRITISH ARMY 1793—1814.
_W. W._ Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Clasps: ROLEIA, VIMIERA,
CORUNNA, TALAVERA, BUSACO, FUENTES D'ONOR, CIUDAD RODRIGO,
BADAJOZ, SALAMANCA, VITTORIA, PYRENEES, NIVELLE, NIVE, ORTHES,
and TOULOUSE. Ribbon, crimson edged with blue.
Great disappointment having been expressed that no medal had been
awarded either to the army or navy for the numerous victories achieved
between 1793—1814, the Queen, 1st June, 1847, ordered that a medal
should be struck and bestowed upon any surviving officer or private
present at any battle or siege between those dates. For this purpose,
the above medal was struck. It carries 28 clasps, and the earliest
military service thus decorated is the campaign in Egypt 1801, which
was, however, not included in the general order, but was afterwards
granted under an order 12 Feb. 1850. A similar order was issued
regarding naval services, commencing with the capture of the French
frigate "Cleopatra," 18 June, 1793, and for which a separate medal was
struck, having on the reverse, Britannia seated on sea-horse, holding
trident and olive-branch. The medal above described is a proof, and has
only the clasps given for the principal engagements in the Peninsular
War.
593. Indian General Service, 1848. "For Meritorious Service."
_Obv._ Same: but no date. _Rev._ Shields, arms, and flags of
East India Company; above, crest; beneath, motto on scroll,
AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIÆ; around, FOR MERITORIOUS
SERVICE. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Ribbon, dark crimson.
This medal was given by the East India Co. for "meritorious service" in
India before 1848. This is a proof.
594. Second Sikh War, 1848—1849: Punjab Medal. _Obv._ Same.
_Rev._ Surrender of the Sikh army: Lord Gough on horseback l.,
before the British army drawn up in line; before him, the enemy
laying down their arms. TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB. MDCCCXLIX;
wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Clasps:
CHILIANWALA and GOOJERAT. Ribbon, blue with narrow stripes of
yellow.
This medal carries three clasps: Mooltan, 7 Sept. 1848—2 Jan. 1849;
Chilianwala, 13 Jan. 1849; and Goojerat, 21 Feb. 1849: Lord Gough
Comm.-in-chief.
595. Second Burmese War, 1852: Pegu. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._
Victory r., crowning warrior seated on arms, holding sword
and sheath; beneath, lotus; wearer's name on edge. Silver.
Size 1·4. By W. and L. C. Wyon. Clasp, PEGU. Ribbon, alternate
stripes of scarlet and blue.
Only one clasp was given for this war, which was for the defence of
Pegu, Major Hill commanding.
596. Campaigns in South Africa, 1834—1853. _Obv._ Same. _Rev._
Lion crouching l. under bush. SOUTH AFRICA; in ex., 1853. L. C.
WYON. Wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. and L. C.
Wyon. Ribbon, orange with dark blue stripes.
On 22 Nov. 1854 the Queen ordered that a medal should be struck and
awarded to the surviving officers and privates of the regular forces
who served in South Africa in the years 1834—5, Sir Benjamin D'Urban
Comm.-in-chief; in 1846—7, Colonel Robert Richardson and Colonel H.
Somerset commanding; and in 1850—1853, Sir Harry Smith and aft. Sir G.
Cathcart commanding. This medal has no clasp.
597. War with Russia, 1854—1855: Crimea. _Obv._ Same: beneath
head, 1854. _Rev._ Ancient warrior facing, holding sword and
shield, and crowned by Victory. CRIMEA. B. WYON SC. Silver.
Size 1·4. By W. & B. Wyon. Clasps formed of oak-leaves with
acorns: ALMA, BALAKLAVA, INKERMANN, AZOFF, and SEBASTOPOL.
Ribbon, pale blue edged with yellow.
In Dec. 1854 the Queen ordered that a medal should be struck to be
awarded, with clasps for ALMA and INKERMANN, to all such as were
present in either of those battles; that of BALAKLAVA was added in Feb.
1855; and that of SEBASTOPOL was given to all who served at the siege
between Oct. 1854 and Sep. 1855. The clasp for AZOFF is naval, and was
given to those who served under Sir Edmund Lyons and took part in the
capture of Kertch, Yenikale, &c. This is a proof.
598. Another: Service in the Baltic, 1854—1855. _Obv._ Same:
but no date. _Rev._ Britannia seated l. on low pedestal,
looking back, holding trident; in the distance, sea and forts
Sveaborg and Bomarsund. BALTIC; in ex., 1854—1855. L. C. WYON.
Silver. Size 1·4. By W. & L. C. Wyon. Ribbon, yellow with blue
edges.
Awarded to those who served in the Baltic fleet during 1854—1855. It
has no clasp.
599. Another: Anglo-Turkish Award, 1855. _Obv._ Trophy of
arms, with flags of Turkey, England, France, and Sardinia; on
gun, map of Crimea. CRIMEA. 1855. _Rev._ Within laurel-wreath,
cypher of Sultán Abd-el-Mejeed; beneath in Turkish, CRIMEA.
1271. Silver. Size 1·4. Ribbon, pink with green edges.
This medal was distributed by the Sultán to all the forces of the
Allies, but varied for France and Sardinia, by their flags being placed
to r. of that of Turkey instead of the English one.
600. Persian War, 1856—1857. Same as No. 595, but on rev. L. C.
WYON. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. and L. C. Wyon. Clasp: PERSIA.
Ribbon, alternate stripes of scarlet and blue.
For the Persian War 1856—7, Sir J. Outram Comm.-in-chief, the same
medal was used as for the Second Burmese War (No. 595), but with a
different clasp.
601. Indian Mutiny, 1857—1858. _Obv._ Same as No. 585. _Rev._
Britannia standing l., holding wreath in each hand; on l. arm,
shield; at her side, lion. INDIA; in ex., 1857—1858. L. C.
WYON. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. and L. C. Wyon. Clasps: DELHI,
DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW, RELIEF OF LUCKNOW, LUCKNOW, and CENTRAL
INDIA Ribbon, alternate stripes of scarlet and white.
This medal was awarded to all engaged in the operations during the
Mutiny in India 1857—8, and was also conferred on non-military persons
who had borne arms as volunteers. It carries only the five clasps above
given. This specimen is a proof.
602. Arctic Discoveries, 1818—1855. _Obv._ Head of Queen l.,
wearing diadem. VICTORIA REGINA. L. C. WYON F. _Rev._ Ship l.,
in the ice; icebergs on either side; in foreground, sailors
drawing sledge r. FOR ARCTIC DISCOVERIES; in ex., 1818—1855.
Silver. Size 1·3. By L. C. Wyon. An octagonal medal surmounted
by star with ribbon, white.
This medal was given to all engaged in the Arctic expeditions between
1818—1855. This is a proof.
603. New Zealand, 1846—1866. _Obv._ Bust of Queen l., crowned
and veiled. VICTORIA D. G. BRITT. REG. F. D. J. S. & A. B. WYON
SC. _Rev._ Within laurel-wreath, 1846 TO 1866; around, NEW
ZEALAND. VIRTUTIS HONOR. Silver. Size 1·4. By J. S. and A. B.
Wyon. Ribbon, blue with red stripe in centre.
Given to those who had served in the wars in New Zealand between
1846—1866. It was awarded to both services.
604. Second Chinese War, 1855—1860. Same as No. 585, but no
date on reverse. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Clasps: CHINA
1842, FATSHAN 1857, CANTON 1857, TAKU FORTS 1858, TAKU FORTS
1860 and PEKIN 1860. Ribbon, crimson with yellow edges.
This medal is the same, with the exception of the omission of the date,
as the one given for the First Chinese War (No. 585). It was given
for services in the campaign of 1856—8, Major-Gen. Van Straubenzee
and Adm. Sir M. Seymour commanding; and of 1860, Sir James Hope-Grant
commanding. The clasps for FATSHAN 1857 and TAKU FORTS 1858 were
awarded to the navy and marines, and that of CHINA 1842 to recipients
of the first medal who were engaged in the Second Chinese War. This is
a proof.
605. Abyssinian War, 1867—1868. _Obv._ Within ornamented
star of nine points, bust of Queen l., veiled and crowned.
ABYSSINIA, (letter in each angle formed by points of star). J.
S. & A. B. WYON SC. _Rev._ Laurel-wreath with inner circle.
Silver. Size 1·3. By J. S. and A. B. Wyon. Surmounted by crown.
Ribbon, crimson with white edges.
Awarded to those who served in the Abyssinian War 1867—8, Sir Robert
Napier (Lord Napier of Magdala) commanding. It was given to both
services. The reverse of the medal is inscribed BRITISH MUSEUM.
606. Ashantee War, 1873—1874. _Obv._ Head of Queen l., veiled,
wearing coronet. VICTORIA REGINA. L. C. WYON. _Rev._ Battle
scene in bush; in centre, tree, on right of which are negroes
fighting or wounded; on left, British soldiers advancing
firing, one fallen. Silver. Size 1·4. By L. C. Wyon. Ribbon,
alternate stripes of yellow and black.
This medal carries a clasp for COOMASSIE, and was issued to both
services. The obverse is the work of Leonard C. Wyon, and the reverse
from a design by E. J. Poynter, R.A. It was given for services in the
Ashantee War 1873—4, Sir Garnet Wolseley Commander-in-chief. This is a
proof.