The British South Africa Company's Medal
1890 - 1897
Awarded for the four campaigns to suppress the Mashonas and Matabele
tribes in South Africa. These medals were struck with four
corresponding campaign reverses.
Instituted in 1896 (
Matabeleland 1893 Medal ) and 1897 ( Rhodesia 1896 and Mashonaland
1897 medals). In 1927 it was decided by the Southern Rhodesian
Government to issue a medal to commemorate the earlier 1890
Mashonaland campaign. This medal was struck without the campaign
details on the reverse.
Description: in silver 36 mm diameter, with an ornate swivelling
suspension decorated with shamrocks, thistles and roses. Obverse ;
the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria with the legend
Victoria Regina.
Reverse: the dramatic scene of charging lion, wounded in the chest
with an assegai. In the foreground are native weapons and a shield,
and in the background a mimosa bush, the inscription BRITISH SOUTH
AFRICA COMPANY is below this scene. Four versions of reverse exist
with (or without) the campaign and date in the 12 o'clock position -
this corresponding to the recipients first eligible campaign
(reminiscent of the
Sutlej medal)
1.) no campaign details on the reverse [Mashonaland 1890
campaign ]
2.) MATABELELAND 1893
3.) RHODESIA 1896
4.)MASHONALAND 1897
Four bars were also issued; Mashonaland 1890, Matabeleland 1893,
Rhodesia 1896 and Mashonaland 1897.
Ribbon: Golden yellow with three blue stripes.
Naming: several styles exist; heavy engraved tall capitals
(illustrated), sloping capitals , impressed capitals. The 1890 medal
is engraved, with two different styles noted..
Medal Reverse |
Instituted |
Bars possible |
notes |
[no campaign details on the
reverse] †
also know as the Mashonaland 1890 Medal |
1927 |
Mashonaland 1890
(always issued with the above)
Matabeleland 1893
Rhodesia 1896
Mashonaland 1897
|
Recipients of one of the
three campaign/dated reverse type medals who had also served
in this earlier 1890 campaign were instructed to surrender
their medals which would then be replaced with this medal,
to which would be added the appropriate bar(s) "Rhodesia
1896" / "Matabeleland 1893"/ "Mashonaland 1897" |
Matabeleland 1893 |
1896 |
Rhodesia 1896
Mashonaland 1897 |
Issued without a bar to those who served
only in the Matabeleland campaign of 1893 |
Rhodesia 1896 [illustrated] |
1897 |
Mashonaland 1897 |
Issued without a bar to those who served
only in the Rhodesia campaign of 1896 |
Mashonaland 1897 |
1897 |
- none - |
|
|
† this version is scarce, and
considered rare with two or more bars. Ten men were eligible
for four bars but only one is known to have been
issued. |
(Also see:
Medals of the Regiments for qualification by regiment for
British Infantry and Cavalry units.) |