Summary

Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 awarded to Serjt: O.W. Birch, service number 1491, Victorian M.R. (Victorian Mounted Rifles) for service in the Boer War.

Other medals awarded to Sergeant O.W. Birch include: Queen's Medal, South Africa. Bars for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902.

"Towards the end of the nineteenth century elements within the South African colonies had become disgruntled with increasing interference in local affairs by the British, who had established a presence in the region from 1806. In 1899 the Boer farmers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State, descendants of Dutch settlers, declared war on the British by invading the colonies of Natal and Cape Colony. The war continued for three years, but by 1902 the British had defeated Boer resistance. The 1902 Peace of Vereeniging installed a pro-British civil administration."

Physical Description

A silver medal (36mm diameter) with ribbon and six bars: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and SOUTH AFRICA 1902. The obverse features a veiled and crowned half-length bust of Queen Victoria facing left; around, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, the artist's name, G.W. de Saulles, is incuse on the base of the bust. The reverse depicts Britannia advancing facing right towards a column of marching soldiers, her trident, shield and a palm branch are on the ground behind her; in her left arm she holds a flag and with her right arm extends an laurel wreath towards the column, the fleet is at anchor in the background; around above, SOUTH AFRICA. The edge is impressed: 1491 SERJT. O.W. BIRCH VICTORIAN M.R.

Obverse Description

A veiled and crowned half-length bust of Queen Victoria facing left; around, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, the artist's G.W. de Saulles is incuse on the base of the bust.

Reverse Description

Britannia advancing facing right towards a column of marching soldiers, her trident, shield and a palm branch are on the ground behind her; in her left arm she holds a flag and with her right arm extends an laurel wreath towards the column, the fleet is at anchor in the background; around above, SOUTH AFRICA.

Edge Description

1491 SERJT. O.W. BIRCH VICTORIAN M.R.

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