Summary

Great Britain Boer War
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 - 1902
Other Details: Awarded to J.H. Close, S.S. Major, Kitchener's F.S. for service in Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Colony. Close was born in Sydney and served in Rhodesia during the South African War. He subsequently became a teacher of physical culture at Sydney. He took part in Mawson's expedition on the 'Aurora', was a member of the Main Base Party (Adelie Land) and several sledging parties, and spent two summers and one winter in the Antarctic.

"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. " http://www.naa.gov.au/fsheets/FS67.html

Physical Description

A silver medal (36mm diameter) with ribbon and three bars: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE and CAPE COLONY. 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: 120 S.S. MAJOR J.M. CLOSE KITCHENER'S F.S.

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

120 S.S. MAJOR J.M. CLOSE KITCHENER'S F.S.

Significance

Awarded to J.H. Close, S.S. Major, Kitchener's F.S. for service in Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Colony. Close was born in Sydney and served in Rhodesia during the South African War. He subsequently became a teacher of physical culture at Sydney. He took part in Mawson's expedition on the 'Aurora', was a member of the Main Base Party (Adelie Land) and several sledging parties, and spent two summers and one winter in the Antarctic.

"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. " http://www.naa.gov.au/fsheets/FS67.html

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