King's South Africa Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King’s South Africa Medal |
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Obverse and reverse of the medal
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| Presented by | the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
The King's South Africa Medal is a special medal given to soldiers who fought in the Second Boer War in South Africa. This war happened a long time ago, between 1899 and 1902. To get this medal, soldiers had to be in South Africa on or after January 1, 1902. They also needed to have served for at least 18 months during the war before June 1, 1902. This medal was always given along with another one, called the Queen's South Africa Medal.
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What is the King's South Africa Medal?
This medal was created in 1902 by King Edward VII. It was the first medal he ever created. It was made to honor soldiers who stayed and fought in the difficult final parts of the Second Boer War. These soldiers helped bring the war to an end.
The King's South Africa Medal was never given out on its own. It was always given with the Queen's South Africa Medal. This means if a soldier got the King's medal, they also got the Queen's medal.
The Second Boer War: A Tough Fight
The Second Boer War was very hard for the soldiers. They faced many challenges:
- Long supply lines: Getting food and supplies to the soldiers was tough because the distances were very long.
- Disease: Many soldiers got sick, especially with a fever called enteric fever (which is like typhoid). Thousands died from illness, not just from fighting.
- Clever enemy: The enemy, called the Boers, were excellent horse riders and shooters. They used guerrilla warfare, which means they fought in small groups, making surprise attacks and then disappearing. This made them very hard to catch and defeat.
Because of these difficulties, the medal was a big honor. It showed that the soldier had served for a long time in a very tough war. Over 50,000 soldiers were hurt or died during the war.
Who Received the Medal?
The King's South Africa Medal was given to soldiers who were actively fighting in 1902. They also needed to have served for at least 18 months by the end of the war on May 31, 1902. This service didn't have to be all at once. For example, if a soldier got sick and left South Africa, but then came back in 1902 and served enough time, they could still get the medal.
Most of the soldiers who received this medal were from the British Army. However, some soldiers from other countries that were part of the British Empire also received it. For example:
- Only 31 medals went to the Royal Navy (sailors).
- About 154 medals went to Canadian soldiers.
- Around 200 medals went to soldiers from New Zealand.
- 587 nursing sisters (nurses) also received the medal. These nurses included six from New Zealand, like Janet Gillies.
Special Clasps for the Medal
The King's South Africa Medal usually came with two special bars, called "clasps," that were attached to the ribbon. These clasps showed when the soldier served:
- "SOUTH AFRICA 1901": For serving in South Africa between January 1, 1901, and December 31, 1901.
- "SOUTH AFRICA 1902": For serving in South Africa between January 1, 1902, and May 31, 1902.
Most soldiers who got the King's South Africa Medal received both clasps. However, there were some exceptions. For example, nurses received the medal but not the clasps.
If a soldier earned the 1901 and 1902 clasps but didn't qualify for the King's South Africa Medal, they would get these clasps on their Queen's South Africa Medal instead.
What the Medal Looks Like
The King's South Africa Medal is a silver circle, about 38 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) wide.
Front of the Medal (Obverse)
The front of the medal shows a picture of King Edward VII. He is wearing a military uniform and looking to the left. Around the edge, it says "EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR," which means "Edward VII, King and Emperor."
Back of the Medal (Reverse)
The back of the medal shows a figure named Britannia. She is a symbol of Britain. She is holding the Union Flag (the British flag) in one hand and a laurel wreath (a symbol of victory) in the other. In the background, you can see soldiers marching from the coast. There are also two warships in the background.
The Ribbon
The ribbon for the medal is 32 millimeters (about 1.25 inches) wide. It has three colors:
- A green band (11 mm wide)
- A white band (10 mm wide)
- An orange band (11 mm wide)
These colors represent the countries where the war took place: green and white for the South African Republic and orange and white for the Orange Free State.
Naming on the Medal
Each medal had the recipient's name and other details stamped onto its edge. Some medals given to officers were engraved instead.
Images for kids
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Lint voor Verwonding
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King's South Africa Medal ribbon
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Natal Native Rebellion Medal ribbon
See also
