Summary
Medal issued in 1899 to wish luck to Australian contingents going to fight in the Boer War. In 1899 the Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers, declared war on the British forces. They were disgruntled with interference in local affairs by the British, who had maintained a presence in the region for over a century. Enthusiastic civilians throughout the Australian colonies volunteered for service, supported by their respective colonial governments. Over 15,000 served in colonial contingents during the Boer War. The first joint colonial regiment, the Australian Regiment, was formed from companies from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The British gradually wore down Boer resistance, and peace was declared on 31 May 1902. The Peace of Vereeniging replaced the British military administration with a civil administration, eventually leading to self-government. Australian casualties in the war totalled about 1400, with 518 killed. Six Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery. The new Federal Government granted money to assist incapacitated Boer War veterans and their dependents.
Mint: not recorded.
Obverse Description
Veiled head of Queen Victoria facing left; around, BRITISH TRANSVAAL WAR
Reverse Description
Crossed Australian and British flags with 1899 at top and 1900 at bottom, all within beaded circle; around, GOOD LUCK ATTEND AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENTS .
Significance
In 1899 the Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers, declared war on the British forces. They were disgruntled with interference in local affairs by the British, who had maintained a presence in the region for over a century. Enthusiastic civilians throughout the Australian colonies volunteered for service, supported by their respective colonial governments. Over 15,000 served in colonial contingents during the Boer War. The first joint colonial regiment, the Australian Regiment, was formed from companies from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The British gradually wore down Boer resistance, and peace was declared on 31 May 1902. The Peace of Vereeniging replaced the British military administration with a civil administration, eventually leading to self-government. Australian casualties in the war totalled about 1400, with 518 killed. Six Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery. The new Federal Government granted money to assist incapacitated Boer War veterans and their dependents. -National Archives of Australia Fact Sheet #67. http://www.naa.gov.au/publications/fact_sheets/fs67.html. -D. Tout-Smith 5/2/2004.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1899-1900 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1899
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Person Depicted
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Inscriptions
(edge) (obverse) (reverse)
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Series
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Material
Gilt Bronze
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
23 mm (Outside Diameter), 4.55 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Car. 1899-00/1
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Keywords
Boer War, 1899-1902, British Transvaal War, 1899-1900, Wars & Conflicts