Description:
Obverse:
Shows Queen
Victoria's diademed head and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA'
Reverse:
Shows a lion crouching in a token of submission
in front of a Protea bush. Above are the words
'South Africa' and in the exergue the date '1853'.
Ribbon:
1.25"
wide of yellow-orange with two broad and two narrow blue
stripes.
Naming:
Normally
in upright or sloping engraved capitals.
Awarded
to those who survived and had been engaged in
the Kaffir War of 1850-3, this was the
first medal specifically struck for military service in the
Continent of Africa.
General
Order No 634 was issued from the Horse Guards dated 22
November 1854 and laid down that the medal was 'to be
conferred on Surviving Officers, non-commissioned Officers and
Soldiers of the regular forces, including Officers of the
Staff and Officers and Men of the Royal Artillery, Royal
Engineers and Sappers and Miners who actually served in the
field against the enemy in South Africa'.
