Queen's Mediterranean Medal

Queen's Mediterranean Medal
Obverse and reverse of the medal.
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service
DescriptionSilver disk 36 mm wide
Presented byUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
EligibilityBritish Army
Campaign(s)Boer War 1899-1902
ClaspsNone
Established1902
Total5,000
Ribbon bar

The Queen's Mediterranean Medal was authorised by King Edward VII and was awarded to Militia troops[1] who had replaced their regular British Army counterparts in the various military garrisons across the Mediterranean, in Gibraltar, Malta[2] and Egypt.[3] This allowed regular troops to be available for the Second Boer War.[2]

Troops on the island of St. Helena who guarded Boer prisoners of war in the POW camp were awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal without clasp.[1]

The medal and ribbon are identical to the Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 except the inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA' has been replaced by the word 'MEDITERRANEAN' on the reverse of the medal. No clasps were awarded.[4] The recipient's name and details were impressed on the rim of the medal.[5]

Recipients

Approximately 5,000 of the Queen's Mediterranean Medal were awarded. They were issued to eligible officers and men in the Third (Militia) Battalions of the: Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Royal Fusiliers, West Yorkshire Regiment, Royal North Lancashire Regiment, Royal West Kent Regiment, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Seaforth Highlanders and the Royal Munster Fusiliers.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Dorling, H. Taprell (1956). Ribbons and Medals. London: A.H.Baldwin & Sons. p. 72. OCLC 930416375.
  2. ^ a b Medal Yearbook 2015 by J.W.Mussell, editor, page 166 (Token Publishing Limited, Honiton, Devon)
  3. ^ Seaforth Highlanders by John Sym, page 126 (1962, Gale & Polden, Aldershot) Confirms Seaforth Militia battalion served in Cairo.
  4. ^ Queen's Mediterranean Medal on Anglo Boer War.com
  5. ^ British Battles and Medals, 6th edition. Edited by Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin, page 204 (1988, Spink, London)
  6. ^ British Battles and Medals by Major Lawrence L. Gordon, page 208 (1947, Gale & Polden, Aldershot)