Obverse, a bust of Queen Victoria with diadem |
Reverse, inscription with oak-leaf sprays around, a crown above and an anchor below |
Although European officers served in the forces of the British East India Company, and British units served in India, for a while there was also a locally-raised Indian Local European Army among the Imperial forces in the subcontinent; its units were eventually subsumed into the Indian Army proper. The previous service of men so transferred was not forgotten, and in 1859 a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal was issued especially for them. Unfortunately through some mistake it was struck to a naval design, meaning that only some 300 were awarded before the issue was stopped. The medal is correspondingly rare.
Among its few recipients was Bombardier Patrick Cashman of what was by 1859 the 3rd Battalion, European Artillery. Lester Watson acquired his medal at some point before 1928.