Boer War Medals

Queen's South Africa Medal

The Queen's South Africa Medal was awarded for service in the Boer War in South Africa . The Australian colonies raised units and a number of Australians who were not able to join Australian units enlisted in British and South African units.

The Medal

The Queen's South Africa Medal is a silver and bronze medal with the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria on the obverse. The reverse has Britannia with a flag in her left hand holding out a laurel wreath to a party of advancing soldiers. In the background are two warships. Below the wreath the dates '1899-1900' are shown. Around the top are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'.

The Ribbon

The Queen's South Africa Medal ribbon has a broad orange central stripe flanked by two dark blue stripes and red edges.

Clasps

Twenty six clasps were issued for the Queen's South Africa Medal. Of these, the following clasps were issued to Australian State or Commonwealth units or to individuals who served from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902:

Cape Colony	11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902
Natal	11 October 1899 to 17 May 1900
Rhodesia	11 October 1899 to 17 May 1900
Relief of Mafeking	17 May 1900
Belmont	23 November 1899
Modder River	28 November 1899
Relief of Kimberley	15 February 1900
Paardeberg	17 to 26 February 1900
Orange Free State	28 February 1900 to 31 May 1902
Driefontein	10 March 1900
Wepener	9 to 25 April 1900
Transvaal	24 May 1900 to 31 May 1902
Johannesburg	31 May 1900
Diamond Hill	11 to 12 June 1900
Wittegergen	1 to 29 July 1900
Belfast	26 to 27 August 1900
South Africa 1901 *	1 January 1901 to 31 December 1901
South Africa 1902 *	1 January 1902 to 31 May 1902

* Clasps South Africa 1901 and/or South Africa 1902 were issued with the Queen's Medal only if the recipient was not eligible for the award of the King's South Africa Medal. If the recipient was eligible for the King's Medal clasps South Africa 1901 and/or South Africa 1902 would be issued with the King's Medal.

King's South Africa Medal

King's South Africa Medal Following Queen Victoria 's death during the South African War, King Edward VII authorised a medal to be awarded to all who were serving in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902, and who would complete 18 months service before 1 June 1902. The medal was never issued alone, but always with the Queen's Medal.

The Medal

The King's South Africa Medal is silver with the bust of King Edward VII on the obverse. The reverse is the same as the Queen's South Africa Medal.

The Ribbon

The King's South Africa Medal ribbon has stripes of green, white and orange.

Clasps

Two clasps were issued:

South Africa 1901

South Africa 1902

Eligibility

Awarded to those serving in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902 and who would complete 18 months service before 1 June 1902.

Information courtesy the Australian Department of Defence.