A medal was struck by the Scottish Darien Company in 1700, to reward the
services of Colonel Alexander Campbell, of Finab, and his surviving
companions, for their services against the Spaniards in that unfortunate
settlement. Campbell was an old soldier who had served in Flanders under
William III. On learning the distressed state of the new settlers,
Campbell was sent to Darien to take the command there. With two hundred
men and forty Indians, he attacked and totally routed a body of one
thousand six hundred Spaniards, at a place called Toubocanti. In spite
of this success the colonists were compelled to surrender to the enemy,
and Campbell, with a few others, were all that ever returned to
Scotland. The Darien Council ordered a gold medal of the value of £16 to
be struck for Campbell, and silver ones of the value of ten shillings
for his companions. The medal was designed by M. Smeltzing. On the
obverse, is Campbell with sword and shield, advancing to storm a fort in
the distance, on a scroll above are the words “Quid non pro patria,” and
in the exergue, “Toubocanti—Ubi 1600, Hispan. fudit, Dux Alexander
Campbell, MDCC., 8 Feb., M.S.” Reverse, a shield with the arms of the
Scottish African Company, above—on the scroll the words “Qua panditur
orbis,” below, “Vis unita fortior.”
The Caribs, or natives of the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies,
instigated by the French settlers, rebelled against the English in 1772,
but, after a severe struggle, were reduced to submission by
Major-General Dalrymple, Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, in
February, 1773. The troops engaged in this campaign were the 14th.,
31st., and 70th. Foot, and a strong force of local Militia and
Volunteers. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Legislative Assembly
voted that silver medals should be given to the local troops as a
reward. The medal is of large size, having on the obverse the bust of
George III. in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III. M.B. Rex.” and
on the reverse, Britannia standing, with her right hand on her shield,
and offering with her left an olive branch to a Carib, who has laid his
gun and bow and arrows at her feet. Above are the words “Peace and
prosperity to St. Vincents,” and in the exergue the date 1773. Worn with
a red ribbon. For a subsequent war in the same island, in 1795, with the
French and Caribs, a bronze medal was given to the native troops who
took part in it. This has on the obverse a figure of Victory, with the
legend “St. Vincent’s Black Corps,” and on the reverse a negro soldier
with a musket.
During the American War of Independence, large and handsome medals in
silver were struck and presented to the chiefs of the North American
Indians, as rewards for their loyalty and good service to King George
III. They were of various sizes, and with some were given silver chains
for suspension. One of the largest bears on the obverse a laureated bust
of George III., in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III., D. G. M.
Bri. Fra. et Hib. Rex. F. D.” Reverse, an Indian and European sitting
under a tree, with their hands clasped, and the Indian offering his pipe
to his companion as a token of friendship. In the background are
wigwams, and above, the words “Happy while united.” The loop for
suspension is formed of the wing of an eagle and the calumet of peace,
placed crosswise. Another specimen has on the obverse the bust of the
King, and on the reverse the arms of Great Britain[230]; and another, of
large size, with an obverse almost similar, bears on the reverse the
British lion—reclining, watching a snarling wolf (America); in the
background, is a church with trees.
To commemorate the long and successful defence of Gibraltar, 1779–1783,
against the combined forces of France and Spain, a large medal was
struck in silver. On the obverse is a bird’s-eye view of Gibraltar, with
the words “Battering ships destroyed” in a scroll above, and in the
exergue, “September 13th., 1782.” On the reverse is inscribed “By a
zealous exertion of patience, perseverance, and intrepidity, after
contending with unparalleled succession of dangers and difficulties in
the defence of Gibraltar during a blockade and siege of almost four
years; the Garrison, under the auspices of George III., triumphed over
the combined powers of France and Spain”; surrounded by a wreath
springing from a pedestal, on which reclines the British lion, holding a
shield charged with a castle and key, and below which, in the exergue,
is the inscription “Blockade commenced June 21st, 1779; siege terminated
Feby. 11th., 1783.” This medal was not worn as a decoration, but another
of smaller size was struck in silver by General Elliott, and given to
the officers and men of the Hanoverian Brigade who took part in the
defence. The English troops did not receive this medal, but specimens in
gold were struck for George III. and the Royal Family. Obverse, a view
of Gibraltar, besieged, with the Spanish fleet in the fore ground; above
are the words “Per tot discrimina rerum,” and in the exergue “13th.
September, 1782.” On the reverse, within a laurel wreath, are the names
of the principal officers “Reden, Lamotte, Sydow, Eliott,” surrounded by
the German motto “Bruderschaft.” This medal was designed by L. Pingo.
In 1794 a gold medal was given by Pope Pius VI. to twelve officers of
the 12th. Light Dragoons (now 12th. Lancers) as a mark of his
approbation of their conduct while stationed at Civita Vecchia. On the
obverse is a bust of the Pope, with the legend “Pius Sextus Pont Max. A.
XVII.” Reverse, a figure of Ceres, seated, with a cornucopia in her
right hand, her left arm extended, and a wreath on her head; above are
the words “Aero Pomptin Colonis Rest,” and in the exergue, the date
“1791.” Two or three Naval officers also received this medal, which was
originally struck to commemorate the restoration of the harbour of
Civita Vecchia by the Pope, and not specially as a reward to the British
officers.
A large and handsome gold medal and chain was presented by the Emperor
of Germany, Francis II., on May 1st., 1798, to eight officers of the
15th. Light Dragoons, for the gallant conduct of the regiment at the
action of Villiers-en-Couché, near Cambray, April 24th., 1894; by which
the Emperor was preserved from being taken prisoner by the French. There
were but two squadrons of the 15th. engaged, but they, with a small body
of German Cavalry, attacked and routed several thousands of the enemy,
and captured three guns. The medal weighs 4 ozs. 7 dwts., with a gold
chain of the same weight. On the obverse is a laureated head of the
Emperor, with the words “Imp. Caes. Franciscus. II., P. F. Aug.”;
beneath the head is the name of the engraver, J. N. Wirt, F. On the
reverse “Forti Britanno in Exercitu. Foed. ad Cameracum, XXIV. Apr.,
MDCCXCIV.,” with laurel branches beneath.
The officers who received the medal were, Major William Aylett; Captains
Edward Pocklington, and Edward M. Ryan; Lieutenants Thomas G. Calcraft,
Wm. G. Keir, and Thomas B. Blount; Cornets Edward G. Butler, and Robert
Wilson.[231] Only nine medals were struck in gold, and one of these was
deposited in the Imperial cabinet at Vienna.
In 1835 a body of English Volunteers, called the Anglo-Spanish Legion,
commanded by General Sir de Lacy Evans, was raised by permission of the
Government, for service in Spain, on the side of the Queen, Doña
Isabella, against Don Carlos. A Naval force of seamen and Marines, under
Lord John Hay, also took part in the operations on the north coast of
Spain. A medal was given by the Spanish Government to the officers and
men of the British Volunteers present at the action near San Sebastian,
May 5th., 1836. The medal was made of white metal, or pewter; but the
officers, on their return to England, in 1837, had a similar medal
struck in silver for themselves, by Messrs. Loewenstark, of London. On
the obverse is a lion, statant, surrounded by the collar of the Golden
Fleece. Reverse, a Maltese cross, with crowns in the angles; in the
centre within a wreath, the words “San Sebastian, 5 de Mayo, 1836.” It
was worn with a dark purple ribbon with two yellow stripes.
About twenty officers and men of the Royal Artillery were given a small
gold cross for their services at Bilbao in 1836, and a detachment of
Royal Artillery and Marines received the Order of Maria Isabella Luisa.
The East India Company, in 1837, gave a medal to the chiefs of the loyal
Coorgs, who had suppressed an insurrection in the Canara country. The
two principal Dewans each received a gold medal and chain, valued at 400
rupees; twelve Subadars, medals valued at 200 rupees each; twenty
medals, without chains; and ten, valued at 50 rupees each, were given to
leaders who had distinguished themselves; and two hundred silver medals,
without chains, of the value of 10 rupees each, were bestowed on the
inferior leaders and distinguished Ryots. On the obverse is a Coorg
warrior in a fighting attitude, surrounded by an inscription in
Canarese, “For a Memorial of Fidelity to the Government of the East
India Company, in suppressing disturbances during the months of April
and May, 1837.” Reverse, a trophy of Coorg arms, suspended in a laurel
wreath, surrounded by the words “For distinguished loyalty to the
British Government, Coorg, April, 1837.” The medals were struck at the
Calcutta Mint, and are two inches each in diameter, but of varying
thickness.
General Sir H. G. Smith, commanding the troops in South Africa, in 1851,
to express his approbation of the conduct of a detachment of Cape
Mounted Rifles and colonial levies, presented each man with a silver
medal. On the obverse is a lion, statant; above, a wreath of laurel; and
below, in the exergue, the date “1851.” On the reverse, in raised
letters, “Presented by His Excellency Sir H. G. Smith, G.C.B., to —— for
gallantry in the field.” Ribbon: dark blue, with red edges. Only about
thirty of this medal were issued.
By an Army Circular in 1869, a medal was instituted to be given
annually, with a gratuity of £20, to the best shot in the Army. It was
at first struck in bronze, but afterwards in silver. Only sixteen of
these medals were issued, the last being given in 1883, when the system
was altered. In the years 1875 and 1876 two medals were given, one to
the best shot with the Martini-Henry, and the other to the best shot
with the Snider rifle. Private G. Bryant, of the 62nd. Foot, won the
medal and gratuity two years in succession, in 1870 and 1871. The
obverse is the same as the Ashantee medal. The reverse, which was
designed by E. J. Poynter, R.A., bears a figure of Victory rising from a
throne on a pedestal, in the act of crowning an ancient warrior with a
wreath of laurel; in his right hand is a bow, and in his left a shield
transfixed with three arrows. The medal is worn on the right breast,
with a red ribbon edged with black and white stripes.