Abyssinian War Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abyssinian War Medal |
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Obverse and reverse of the medal
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| Type | Campaign medal |
| Eligibility | British and Indian Army |
| Awarded for | Campaign Service |
| Campaign(s) | 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1 March 1869 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | New Zealand Medal |
| Next (lower) | Canada General Service Medal |
 Ribbon bar of the medal |
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The Abyssinian War Medal was a special award given to soldiers and sailors. It was for those who took part in a military mission in Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). This mission happened between October 1867 and April 1868.
The mission was led by Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier. It was carried out by the British Empire's armed forces. They went to Abyssinia because Emperor Tewodros II had imprisoned some British people. These included missionaries and government representatives. Getting to the emperor meant moving a large army over mountains. There were no roads, which made it very difficult.
About 14,000 of these medals were given out. Around 12,000 went to the British and Indian armies. The other 1,981 medals were given to the Royal Navy. This included sailors who were part of the land mission. It also included crews from ships off the Ethiopian coast.
Contents
What the Medal Looks Like
Medal Design and Size
The Abyssinian War Medal is made of silver. It is about 1.25 inches (32 mm) across. Joseph and Alfred Wyon designed this medal. It was made at the Royal Mint.
Unique Naming Feature
This medal is special because the recipient's name and army unit were put on the back. This was done by pressing the details onto each medal. Most medals given to Indian troops also had their names pressed on them.
Front of the Medal (Obverse)
The front of the medal shows a picture of Queen Victoria. She is facing left and wearing a crown. Around the edge, there is a patterned border. Between the patterns, the word ABYSSINIA is written. The Queen's image is similar to the one on the New Zealand Medal from the same year.
Back of the Medal (Reverse)
The back of the medal has a blank space in the middle. This is where the recipient's name and unit were added. A wreath of laurel leaves surrounds this space.
How it's Worn
The medal hangs from a ring that is attached to a crown. The medal is worn on a crimson (dark red) ribbon. This ribbon is 1.5 inches (38 mm) wide. It has white borders on each side.
