Obverse, a bust of Queen Victoria with crown and veil |
Reverse, a scene of bush fighting around a tree with a fallen African to the fore |
Peace-keeping operations in the British possessions in Central Africa, as anywhere else, required a large number of small campaigns, several of which, from 1894-1898 and a few in 1899, were considered to merit this medal. Its tricolour ribbon represents the three nationalities of troops taking part, men from Zanzibar in the black, Britain in the white and India in the terra cotta.
This medal was awarded to Sepoy Ram Singh of the 23rd Bengal Infantry, part of the Indian Contingent in Africa, but it is not known for which of the many possible operations he received it. Lester Watson purchased the medal at some point before 1928.