South Africa Medal (1880) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Africa Medal (1880) |
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| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Type | Military Campaign medal |
| Eligibility | British forces & Colonial volunteers |
| Awarded for | Campaign service |
| Campaign(s) | Gaika-Gcaleka War 1877-8 War against Chief Pokwane 1878 Griqua War 1878 Sekhukhune War 1878 Anglo-Zulu War 1879 War against Chief Moirosi 1879 Sekhukhune War 1879 |
| Clasps | 1877 1877-8 1877-8-9 1877-9 1878 1878-9 1879 |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1 August 1880 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | Ashantee Medal |
| Next (lower) | Afghanistan Medal (United Kingdom) |
| Related | South Africa Medal (1853) |
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The South Africa Medal (1880) is a special award given to soldiers and volunteers. It is often called the Zulu War Medal. This medal was created in 1880 by the British Government. It was given to members of the British Army, Royal Naval Brigade, and local volunteers. They received it for their part in several wars in South Africa between 1877 and 1879. The most famous of these wars was the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879.
Contents
About the Medal
Why the Medal Was Created
Back in 1854, Queen Victoria had approved a medal called the South Africa Medal (1853). This was for British soldiers who fought in earlier wars in South Africa.
Between 1877 and 1879, the British military had to deal with many tough conflicts. These were against different tribes like the Xhosa, Zulu, and Basuto. There were also fights against the Bapedi tribe led by Chief Sekhukhune. Because of these new conflicts, a new medal was needed.
In 1880, the new South Africa Medal was approved. It looked very similar to the 1853 medal. The main difference was on the back. The old medal had the year "1853" on it. The new one replaced this with a military trophy. This trophy showed a Zulu ox-hide shield and four crossed spears called assegais.
Who Received the Medal
About 36,600 of these medals were given out.
The medal was for anyone who served in the South African campaigns between September 1877 and December 1879. This included British soldiers, local volunteers, and even local African fighters. The goal of these campaigns was to bring the eastern Cape and northern Natal areas under British control.
Interestingly, 14 medals were given to nurses. These nurses served in Natal during the Anglo-Zulu War. At first, women were not given campaign medals. But after some nurses received another medal for their service in 1882, the decision was changed. This means the South Africa Medal (1880) was the first British campaign medal ever given to women!
The Wars and Campaigns
The medal was awarded for service in several different conflicts:
- The Gaika-Gcaleka War (September 1877 to June 1878)
- Action against Chief Pokwane (January 1878)
- The Griqua War (April to November 1878)
- Action against Chief Sekhukhune (late 1878)
- The Anglo-Zulu War (January to September 1879)
- Action against Chief Moirosi in Basutoland (March to November 1879)
- Second action against Chief Sekhukhune (November to December 1879)
The Anglo-Zulu War
The most well-known conflict was the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. King Cetshwayo kaMpande became the Zulu King in 1873. He saw the British as a threat. He started to get muskets for his army and encouraged other tribes to rebel.
British forces were sent to stop these uprisings. Even though an independent group said the Zulus had fair claims to some land, the British decided to reduce the Zulu Kingdom's independence. A British official, Sir Henry Bartle Frere, demanded that the Zulus disarm. When King Cetshwayo ignored this, British forces invaded Zululand in January 1879.
The British faced a big defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana. But with more soldiers, they won the Battle of Ulundi. After this, most Zulu chiefs wanted peace. King Cetshwayo became a fugitive and was later captured and imprisoned.
The Gaika-Gcaleka War
This war involved fights against the Gcaleka and Gaika tribes. They had attacked the Fengu, who were protected by the British. Local forces, along with parts of the British Army and Royal Navy, fought in these campaigns. This war, also known as the Ninth Cape Frontier War, ended with the British taking control of the Transkei area.
The Sekhukhune Wars
After the Gaika-Gcaleka War, British forces moved to fight the Bapedi tribe. This tribe, led by Chief Sekhukhune, was raiding tribes protected by the British. An early attack on Sekhukhune's fortress in 1878 didn't work. But a larger force attacked in November 1879 and took the fortress. Most of the defenders were killed, mainly by African soldiers fighting for the British.
What the Medal Looks Like
The medal is made of silver and is 36 millimeters wide. It hangs from a swivel.
Front of the Medal (Obverse)
The front of the medal shows a picture of Queen Victoria. She is wearing a crown and looking to the left. The words "VICTORIA" and "REGINA" (which means Queen in Latin) are written around the edge.
Back of the Medal (Reverse)
The back shows a lion crouching in front of a protea bush with one flower. Around the top edge, it says "SOUTH AFRICA". At the bottom, there's a military trophy. This trophy is a Zulu ox-hide shield with four crossed spears (assegais).
Clasps
Seven different clasps were awarded with the medal. A clasp is a bar attached to the ribbon. It shows which year or years the person served. Only one clasp was given with each medal.
- "1877" – 153 clasps given.
- "1877-8" – 5,822 clasps given.
- "1877-8-9" – 3,525 clasps given for service in all three years.
- "1877-9" – Eight clasps given for service in 1877 and 1879, but not 1878.
- "1878" – 2,009 clasps given.
- "1878-9" – 1,185 clasps given.
- "1879" – 18,332 clasps given.
About 5,610 medals were given without any clasp. These were for military members who were in Natal during the Anglo-Zulu War but did not cross the Tugela River into Zululand. This included Navy groups on shore. Since the main fighting was north of the Tugela River, these medals are often seen as non-combat awards.
Naming
The medal has the recipient's number, rank, name, and military unit engraved on its edge.
Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimeters wide. It has a pattern of golden yellow and blue stripes. It looks similar to the ribbon for the South Africa Medal (1853), but with wider blue stripes.
How Medals Are Worn
Medals are worn in a specific order. The South Africa Medal (1880) is worn after the Queen's Medal for Chiefs and before the Polar Medals. They are ordered by the date of the campaign they were awarded for.
Order in South Africa
On 6 April 1952, South Africa created its own military awards. These new South African awards are worn before most older British medals given to South Africans. The only exception is the Victoria Cross, which is always worn first.
Among the British campaign medals given to South Africans, the South Africa Medal (1880) is worn:
- After the South Africa Medal (1853).
- Before the Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal.
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