Part 32

The Burma 1885-7 medal is generally engraved in a light running hand; but I have seen several engraved in slightly sloping squat Roman letters, ~2/SCOTS FUS~: The script kind of naming was used on the 1887-9 and 1889-92 Burma medals, but some of the latter medals were engraved in a neat round hand.

The Naval medals awarded for Burma 1885-7 are mostly named with rather tall thin Roman capitals.

The medals for Jowaki 1877-8 are impressed with Roman capitals after the character of M.G.S. lettering, and the regiments are generally described so, 2/9th Foot.

The Afghan medals for 1878-9-80 were engraved thus, ~RENDELL~, or in the same style of letter but upright, as were also the Egyptian medals of 1882 onward; but most of those issued to the Royal Marine Light Infantry and seamen who took part in the Suakin Expedition of 1885 were indented like this, ~HENRY~. This kind of type was also used for naming the King Edward Naval Long Service medals. Some, however, were impressed in tall Roman capitals having thick down-strokes.

The engraving on the Egyptian medals awarded to some of the Indian troops, dooley bearers, and Indian transport department is in a very finely cut, neat script.

Some of the Zulu War medals of 1878-9-80 were engraved in this way, ~SHEA~, the letters being rather badly shaped and spaced, but most were engraved in the same style as the Afghan and Egyptian medals.

The Soudan medals were engraved in this style ~CURTIS~, and some ~GORE.R.A.~: some of the Queen's and Khedive's medals were impressed in very small Roman letters, thus MACPHERSON. In a few instances the Queen's medals, like the Khedive's, were issued unnamed, and the recipients had to have them engraved.

The medals granted for the Punjab Frontier are named with a rather coarse script.

The engraving on the Hazara medal for 1888 has rather finer-cut strokes, and the naming on the Sikkim medal, 1888, is the same.

King Edward's medal for Waziristan, 1901-2, is engraved in the same style; but the medal for Chin-Lushai 1889-90 is named in a neat round hand.

The Maharajah of Kashmir's bronze medal for Chitral, 1895, is impressed in badly aligned and carelessly spaced block letters.

The Cape of Good Hope medal is engraved in neat, squat, upright Roman capitals, and that for Natal is generally named in very lightly impressed upright skeleton block.

The East and Central Africa medal with swivel ring is named in a light script; but the same medal with bar for Uganda, 1897-8, is engraved rather roughly in light Roman capitals.

But these medals are named in several ways. For Sierra Leone in square block capitals. With bar for 1891-2 the medal is named in slightly sloping Roman capitals, that for 1892 the same. That with bar for 1897-8 named like the tall thin block letters used on some of the Boer War medals.

The Boer War medals were generally indented with block capitals, either square, like ~HILL~, or tall like this, HILL, or engraved in this style, ~F. HILL, 2/Linc Rqt~:

King Edward's medal for Ashanti, 1900, is generally impressed in rather small skeleton block lettering.

The China medal, 1900, is named--for the navy--with a bold but light kind of Roman capital, similar to that described on page 354 as used on the Suakin, 1885, medals.

The Tibet medal is generally named in a combination of large and small Roman and script, as ~G.Hand, 1ˢᵗ·13Bⁿ·ᵣ.~

The Indian medal for 1908 is engraved in script, but so badly that one could not conceive an engraver's apprentice of one year's standing doing so badly.

King George's medal for Abor, 1911-12, is engraved in a rather crude script.

_The illustrations of the namings are mostly considerably enlarged to render comparison easier._

SOME CONTINENTAL AND FOREIGN WAR MEDALS

A century ago the Prussians were our allies. Today the position is reversed, and we have hastened to assist the descendants of the brave men who routed the Prussians at Jena and the Austrians at Marengo, and so strenuously fought against our forefathers at Waterloo. I have already described most of the medals awarded for that famous battle, but there are others of an interesting character which were awarded for the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815, when the various continental nations strove against the genius and power of Napoleon.

=Prussian Oval Iron Medal for 1815.=--This reminds us of the fact that the exchange made by modern German women of their gold wedding rings for those of iron is simply a repetition of a sacrifice which the women of Germany made during the Napoleonic Wars, when they gave their gold jewellery and replaced it by delicately made ornaments of iron, as visitors to the Victoria and Albert Museum may see. The medals awarded to the survivors of the wars were invariably of metal, some, like our Victoria Cross, having been made from captured cannon. This oval medal, however, is of iron and bears on the obverse King Frederick William's initials in German text capitals, surmounted by the Prussian crown and underneath ~Fur Pflichirtreue im Kreige~ (For faithful service in war); encircling the whole is the legend ~Gott war mit uns, Ihm sey die Ehre!~ (God was with us, to Him the honour). On the reverse is a cross patée with rays issuant between the arms and in the centre 1815. The medal is suspended from a white watered-silk ribbon with black and yellow stripes close to the edges. It was awarded to non-combatants.

=Prussian Medals for 1813-15.=--These were awarded by King Frederick William III to all those of his subjects who took part in the campaigns of 1813-14-15. On the obverse are the initials F. W. surmounted by a crown; below, ~Preussens tapfern Kriegern~ (To Prussia's brave warriors), surrounded by the legend, with a border, ~Gott war mit uns, Ihm sey die Ehre!~ (God was with us, to Him the honour). On the reverse, within a wreath of oak and laurel, tied with a ribbon at the base, upon a cross patée with rays, 1815--the date of the campaign. In the medals for 1813 and 1814 the arms of the cross are rounded at the ends and terminate at the medal rim. Indented round the edge, AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ (from the captured guns). See page 52. The ribbon is yellow, flanked by stripes of black and white.

=The Austrian Cross for 1813-14.=--This is an interesting decoration, for the Cross itself is enamelled green in the _basse-taille_ manner, the edge only being left to show the metal, likewise the laurel wreath which connects the arms of the Cross. On the obverse, across the centre arms, is PRINCEPS ET PATRIA, on the upper arm is the word GRATI, and on the lower arm FRANC IMP AUG. On the reverse, across the centre arms, is LIBERTATE ASSERTA, on the upper arm EUROPAE, and on the lower ~MDCCCXIII/MDCCCXIV~. It is suspended from a yellow corded ribbon with very broad black edges.

=Hessian Medal for 1814-15.=--This is a bronze medal 1⅛ in. in diameter, bearing on the obverse in German text capitals, ~K W II reinen tapfern Hessen, _1821_~, surmounted by a crown, and encircled by a wreath of conventionalised oak leaves. On the reverse in the centre is a cross patée, the arms of which rest upon a wreath of laurel. In the centre are the dates ~1814/1815~. Two tilting spears are arranged between the arms. Over the top arm, and resting upon a circle enclosing a light wreath, is a helmet, around is the motto in German text, ~Gott brach des feindes macht und Hessen ward befreit~. On the edge in Roman is impressed AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUTZ (from captured guns). The medal is suspended from a dark-blue ribbon with wide red edges. (See facing page 324.)

=Légion d'Honneur.=--The Order of the Légion d'Honneur was proposed on May 15th, 1802, by Napoleon Bonaparte when he was First Consul, as a reward for Military and Civil Services. The Legislative Assembly, however, was not favourably disposed, and it was not until four days later that the institution of the now famous Order was agreed to. Napoleon knew the value of a ribbon to stick in the coat. (See facing page 320.)

The Order was originally divided into three classes--Légionaries, Grand Officers, and Commanders. After the Coronation of Napoleon (July 14th, 1804) the first class of Grand Officers was divided into Knights of the Grand Eagle (as the highest) and Grand Officers. At present there are five classes of the Order: Knights of the Grand Cross, Grand Officers, Commanders, Officers, and Knights.

The original Badge or Cross consists of a white enamelled badge with five double rays, with silver balls on the points, resting on a laurel and oak wreath, tied at the base, surmounted by an Imperial crown attached to the badge by a loop and ring, and has a ring for suspension from a crimson corded ribbon, 1½ in. wide.

Obverse: On a silver-gilt radiated centre, the laureated head of the Emperor Napoleon, facing right, surrounded by a blue enamelled band, with gilt borders, inscribed, in gold letters, NAPOLEON EMPEREUR DES FRANÇAIS. Reverse: Also on a silver-gilt centre of horizontal lines, the French Imperial eagle, surrounded by a blue enamelled band, with gilt borders, inscribed, HONNEUR ET PATRIE, with a sprig of laurel below.

The Cross for the Knight is in silver, and for the other classes in gold and of a larger size.

The Knights and Officers wear it at the button-hole or on the left breast; the Commanders round the neck. The Grand Officers wear besides, upon the right breast, a silver Star, similar to that of the Grand Crosses; and at the button-hole the Cross in gold. The Knights of the Grand Cross wear a similar golden Cross, but larger, suspended by a ribbon across the right shoulder towards the left hip; and also, on the left breast, a silver Star.

The Star is of silver, similar to the Cross, without the wreath, having rays between the angles, and in the centre, within a band inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE, the Imperial French eagle.

The first claim to the Order must begin with the lowest degree of Knights, as no degree can be passed over.

=The Republican Cross.=--The Badge of the Légion d'Honneur, given by the Republic, bears on the obverse, facing right, a laureated female head symbolic of the Republic, and surrounded by the legend REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, 1870. On the reverse in the centre are the crossed French flags, surrounded by the motto HONNEUR ET PATRIE. In place of the French Imperial crown which was employed as a suspender in the original badge or cross is an enamelled wreath, otherwise the general appearance of the decorations is the same.

=Prussian Iron Cross, 1813.=--The Order of the Prussian Iron Cross was instituted by King Frederick William III on March 10th, 1813, to reward those, either military or civil, who distinguished themselves in the war then being carried on. It was divided into three classes. The Grand Cross, which was double the size of the Knight's Cross, and was worn round the neck, was given exclusively for the gaining of a decisive battle, the conquest of an important position or place, or the brave defence of a fortress. The first class also wear upon the left breast, instead of a Star, a similar Cross or Badge. In the bestowal of the Cross, neither rank nor condition was regarded. (See facing page 332.)

It was worn by the military with a black ribbon with two white stripes near the edge; and by civilians with a white ribbon with black borders, and was suspended from a silver loop and ring. At the close of hostilities, the distribution of the Order ceased, but was revived on July 19th, 1870, for the war then about to commence with France. The decoration is a cast-iron Cross, in the form of a cross patée, with silver borders and mountings. There are three classes, both for military and civilians. Obverse: In the centre, within a silver milled border, three oak leaves; above, F. W. surmounted by the Prussian crown; below, 1813. The Cross awarded for the Franco-German War bears on the reverse: In the centre, also within a silver milled border, the initial W; above, is a crown; below, 1870.

=For Distinction in Service.=--In 1825, on the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, King Frederick William III instituted a gold Cross for officers who had served twenty-five years, bearing on the obverse the initials, ~F. W. III~, surmounted by a crown, and on the reverse the number ~XXV~. It was worn on the left breast, suspended by a blue ribbon. See facing page 332. For sub-officers and privates, silver buckles, 1¹³⁄₂₀ by ⁹⁄₂₀ in., with the initials ~F. W. III~ in relief, on a rough ground, within a raised double border, worn on the left breast, with brooch attachment, suspended by a blue ribbon with yellow borders for twenty-one years' service; by a blue ribbon with white and blue borders for fifteen years' service; and by a blue ribbon with black borders for nine years' service. Years of war service counted double.

=San Sebastian, 1836.=--This medal was granted by the Spanish Government to the British Legion in Spain, who served under General Sir de Lacy Evans against the Carlists on the heights of St. Sebastian, on May 5th, 1836. It was given in silver to officers, and in white metal to privates. On the obverse, surrounded by the Collar of the Golden Fleece, within a circle, on a mottled ground, is a Lion, statant gardant. Above, +ESPAÑA+; below, +AGRADECIDA+. On the reverse, in the centre of a cross of four arms, with plain, raised borders, having crowns in the angles, surrounded by a wreath of laurel, from which rays issue, 1836; around which is inscribed SAN SEBASTIAN 5 DE MAYO. Beneath, and to the right of the lower limb of the cross, I.D.

The medal, 1⅖ in. in diameter, is suspended by a ring passed through the medal, to which is attached a silver bar. The ribbon is 1½ in. wide, dark purple with two yellow stripes near the edges.

=Iron Cross for San Sebastian, 1836.=--An iron Cross of four arms, with bright borders, with rays in the arms issuing from the centre, having four gold crowns between the arms. On the obverse, in the centre, in high relief, in gold, is a Lion, statant gardant, with a gold border, on which is inscribed in gold letters, HESPEINA AGRADECIDA. The whole within the Collar of the Golden Fleece, in bronze, the pendant Lamb being in gold. On the reverse, also in relief, within a laurel wreath of gold, SAN SEBASTIAN 5 DE MAYO in gold, having in the centre of a gold circle, 1836 in gold. The Cross, similar to that on the circular silver medal, is 1¹⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, with a gold loop and gold ring for suspension.

=Medal for Irun.=--For the capture of the fort and town of Irun, in Spain, on May 17th, 1836, a gold medal was issued by the Spanish Government to the officers, and among the recipients was an English surgeon, whose medal is in Dr. Payne's collection. It is 1⅟₁₆ by ¹⁹⁄₂₀ of an inch and has a plain gold border. On the obverse, encircled by two oak leaves enamelled green, tied at the base with a ribbon enamelled white, is a tower enamelled white; behind which is a sword with a gold hilt, the blade enamelled blue, and above the tower on a dark blue enamelled ribbon the word IRUN standing up in gold. The whole is enamelled champlevé. On the reverse on a plain gold ground is enamelled in blue 17 DE MAYO DE 1837, encircled by the name and rank of the recipient, STAFF SURGEON B. A. L. SPAIN, C. B. BREAREY, M.D., M.R.C.S. The ribbon from which the medal is suspended is black with red edges, symbolical of the blood spilt in capturing the fort and town, over which the black flag was waving, indicating that no quarter was being given.

Staff Surgeon Brearey likewise received the Silver Cross for San Sebastian, 1836, and this also is in Dr. Payne's collection.

=Silver Cross for San Sebastian, 1846.=--This is a silver Cross of four arms, 1¹⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, with plain, raised borders, with obverse and reverse the same as the medal, the words ESPAÑA AGRADECIDA being omitted on the obverse. (See facing page 336.)

=Russian Medal for Hungary, 1849.=--The medal awarded to the Russian soldiers who took part in the Pacification of Hungary at the request of Austria in 1849, bears on the obverse the Russian double-headed eagle, surmounted by a crown, having a shield on its breast, encircled by a collar and badge, containing the figure of St. George and the Dragon. The eagle to the left is holding a baton in its claws, and the one to the right a globe with a cross above it. Above, the radiated Eye of Providence; encircling the whole, in Russian characters, GOD IS WITH US: HEAR, O YE PEOPLE, AND SUBMIT, FOR GOD IS WITH US. On the reverse, inscribed in Russian characters, is FOR THE PACIFICATION OF HUNGARY AND TRANSILVANIA, 1849. This is a small circular medal, 1³⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, with plain, raised double borders. It is made in silver and bronze.

=For Zeal.=--An interesting silver medal 1⅒ in. in diameter was issued by the Emperor Nicholas I. It bears on the obverse the bust of the young ruler facing right and his titles in Russian characters, and on the reverse, following the line of a ribbed border, the legend FOR ZEAL in Russian, a rope-like circle makes a central shield. The medal is 1⅟₁₆ in. in diameter.

=Médaille Militaire.=--This, the French equivalent of the British Distinguished Conduct Medal, was founded in 1852 by Louis Napoleon, when President of the French Republic. It is of silver, 1 in. in diameter, formed of a close band of laurel wreaths, encircling on the obverse the gilt bust of Louis Napoleon, facing left, with his name in gilt letters on a blue enamelled band. On the reverse, the wreath encircles a narrow band of blue enamel which borders the gilt centre bearing the legend VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE. The medal is surmounted by the French eagle, with outspread wings, and is suspended by an orange-coloured ribbon with green edges. After the Crimea, Louis, who had then become the Emperor Napoleon III, presented this medal to 500 British non-commissioned officers and men who had distinguished themselves in the campaign. (See facing page 132.)

The Republican variety bears the female head symbolic of the Republic on the obverse and the legend REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAIS * 1870 *; on the reverse is the inscription VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE. The medal is connected with the suspender by means of a trophy of French arms. The medal illustrated was won in France during the war now waging, by the late Sergeant Hunt.

=Turkestan.=--For the campaign in Turkestan the Emperor Alexander II gave a small silver medal 1⅟₁₆ in. in diameter which bears on the obverse the Emperor's initial A in ornamental cypher, surmounted by the Imperial crown and II arranged between the legs of the initial. The reverse bears in the centre the date 1857-1858-1859 encircled by an inscription in Russian explaining that it was awarded for the success of arms in Turkestan. (See facing page 364.)

=Garibaldian Medal, 1860.=--This medal was given in 1860 to the Garibaldians in Sicily by the Municipality of Palermo, and distributed to the troops by Garibaldi, November 4th, 1860, in the square fronting the Royal Palace, Naples.

On the obverse, within the words AI PRODI CUI FU DUCE GARIBALDI, is a spread eagle standing on a scroll, on which are the letters S.P.Q.P. Three stars below. All in relief. On the reverse, outside a circle of laurel leaves are the words MARSALA, CALATAFIMI, PALERMO. Within the circle, IL MUNICIPIO PALERMITANO RIVENDICATO MDCCCLX. A star is in the exergue. This is a small circular medal, 1⅕ in. in diameter, within a plain, raised double border, suspended by a silver loop and ring from a crimson ribbon, 1⅖ in. wide, with narrow yellow edges, on which is attached the Arms of Sicily in silver, bearing the words UNO DEI MIL.

=Papal States Campaign, 1860.=--This medal was given by Pope Pius IX to his troops, including the Irish Brigade of Volunteers, who served under Major O'Reilly against Garibaldi. It was issued in gold to officers, and in silver and white metal to privates.

The obverse: An open ring formed by the body of a serpent--symbolic of eternity--on the head of which rests an inverted cross; around, on a plain band with simple, moulded edge is the motto, PRO PETRI SEDE▲ PIO · IX · P · M · A · XV▲. On the reverse, in the band, VICTORIA QVAE VINCIT MVNDVM FIDES NOSTRA *.

This (facing page 352) is a circular medal, 1½ in. in diameter, with a plain, raised, double border, and a scroll bar and claw clip suspender, from a crimson ribbon, 1⅕ in. wide, with two white stripes, edged with yellow.

=The Caucasus.=--For services in the Caucasus between 1859-1864 the Emperor Alexander II granted a small silver medal 1⅟₁₆ in. in diameter bearing on the obverse his bust in profile facing left, and on the reverse across the centre is the date 1859-1864 encircled by an inscription in Russian characters stating that it is awarded for the subjugation of the Western Caucasus.

A bronze Cross, with crossed swords between the arms, to be attached to the uniform by means of a ring and bar attachment, was also awarded for the same campaign. It bears the explanatory inscription across the horizontal arms and Alexander's initial in Russian character surmounted by the Russian Imperial crown in the upper arm, and the date 1864 in the lower arm. In the circle which occupies the centre is the Russian eagle. It is 1⁹⁄₁₀ in. across the arms. (See facing page 364.)

=The Polish Insurrection.=--For the suppression of the Polish Insurrection a bronze medal, 1⅟₁₆ in. in diameter, was granted to the Russian troops. It is suspended from a ¾ in. ribbon composed of three equal stripes of white, yellow, and black, and bears on the obverse the two-headed Imperial eagle, surmounted by the Imperial crown, holding in its claws the orb and sceptre. On the reverse across the centre is the date 1863-1864 encircled by the inscription, in Russian, "For the suppression of the Polish Rebellion."

=Cross for König Grätz.=--The Cross for König Grätz was awarded to the Prussian troops who fought against the Austrians during the sanguinary and disastrous seven weeks ("seven days") war in 1866. It was this short campaign which demonstrated the superiority of the needle gun or breech-loader, on the bolt principle, over the old-fashioned muzzle-loader used by the Austrians, who assert that they were defeated simply because it took them three or four times as long to load and fire their guns as it did the Prussians. In this fight, also called the battle of Sadowa, the Austrians lost 20,000 men placed _hors de combat_, and as many prisoners. The Prussian loss was 10,000.

The Cross, which is 1⅖ in. in diameter, bears in the centre the Royal Cypher W.R., surrounded by the legend PREUSSEN SIEGRIECHEM HEERE (To Prussia's victorious army); on the upper arm of the Cross is the Prussian crown, on the right arm GOTT MIT IHM, and on the left WAR UNS SEI, on the bottom arm is DIE EHRE. On the reverse is the crowned Prussian eagle, resting upon a cannon; on the upper arm is KONIG-GRATZ, on the left DENZ, on the right, JULI, and on the lower arm, 1866. The ribbon is of black corded silk, 1 in. wide, with narrow stripes of white and orange at the side. (See facing page 352.)