Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies |
|
|---|---|
_Victoria.jpg)
Queen Victoria version
|
|
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Type | Military long service medal |
| Eligibility | Other ranks and Officers who have served in the ranks of the Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire |
| Awarded for | Twenty years service Eighteen years service in India |
| Status | Discontinued in 1930 |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1896 |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies |
| Next (lower) | Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration |
| Related | Volunteer Long Service Medal |
 Ribbon bar |
|
The Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies was a special award. It was given to soldiers and some officers who served for a long time in the Volunteer Forces. These forces were like a part-time army across the British Empire.
This medal was created in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It was similar to another medal, the Volunteer Long Service Medal, but this one was specifically for those serving in places like India and other British territories. The medal stopped being awarded around 1930, when newer medals took its place.
Contents
Why Was This Medal Created?
In 1894, a medal called the Volunteer Long Service Medal was started in the United Kingdom. It was for soldiers (called "other ranks") and some officers who served for 20 years in the UK's part-time army, the Volunteer Force.
Then, in 1896, Queen Victoria decided to extend this idea. She wanted to honor long service for volunteers across the entire British Empire. This included places like India, Canada, and other British colonies and protectorates. So, a brand new medal was made just for them.
Who Received the Medal?
To get this medal, soldiers usually had to serve for 20 years. However, in India, you could get it after 18 years of service. Your commanding officer had to recommend you for the award.
The service had to be continuous, meaning without big breaks. If an officer who received this medal later got a higher award, like the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, they had to give back this medal.
How the Medal Looked
The medal was made of silver and was about 1.45 inches (3.7 cm) wide. It hung from a straight silver bar.
There were three main versions of the medal, depending on which King or Queen was ruling at the time.
Queen Victoria's Medal
The first medals, from 1896, showed Queen Victoria. She was wearing her crown and the Star of the Order of the Garter. Around her picture, it said "VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX," which means "Victoria, Queen and Empress." Some of these medals were given out even after she passed away in 1901.
King Edward VII's Medal
_Edward_VII_v1.jpg)
_Edward_VII_v2.jpg)
After Queen Victoria, Edward VII became King in 1901. His medal showed him in his military uniform. Around his picture, it said "EDWARDVS VII KAISAR-I-HIND," which means "Edward VII, Emperor of India" in the Hindustani language. Some of these medals were awarded until 1911.
King George V's Medal
_George_V.jpg)
When George V became King in 1910, a new version of the medal was made. It showed him in his military uniform. The words around his picture were "GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:," meaning "George V, King of Great Britain, Emperor of India."
The Back of the Medal
The back of all the medals looked the same. It had a design of palm and laurel leaves, which are symbols of victory and honor. In the middle, there was a scroll with the words "FOR LONG SERVICE IN THE VOLUNTEER FORCE."
The Ribbon
The ribbon for the medal was plain dark green and about 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) wide. It was the same ribbon used for the original Volunteer Long Service Medal in the UK.
When the Medal Stopped Being Awarded
Between 1899 and 1902, this medal started to be replaced by a newer one called the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal. This happened in most British territories.
However, the medal continued to be given out in a few places, like the Isle of Man, Bermuda, and India. Finally, in 1930, it was completely replaced by the Efficiency Medal.
