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India General Service Medal (1854-1895)

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Overview

India General Service Medal 1854-1895 with the clasp 'CHIN-LUSHAI' was awarded to participants in the 1889-90 punitive expedition Burma and India against the tribes of the Chin Hills and Lushai Hills. The Obverse is a diademed head of Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA'. The Reverse design is a winged and standing figure of Victory, who is crowning a seated warrior. In the exergue is a lotus flower and four leaves denoting the connection with India. The medal is fitted with a floreated swivelling suspender and a single rectangular bar that has rosettes in the lower corners.

Historical information

The Chin-Lushai Expedition of 1889-90 was a British punitive expedition in Burma and India against the tribes of the Chin Hills and Lushai Hills. Native raids coupled with the desire to thoroughly explore and open the narrow strip of country which divided British Burma from India prompted the campaign in the cold weather of 1889–90, of military operations from Burma and Chittagong. Among the aims were the pacification and submission of the Chins and Lushais and the opening of the road between Bengal and Burma, coercing the tribes, and obtaining submission to our authority The expedition advanced on November 15, 1889, in two columns, Brigadier-General Symons proceeding against the Chin tribes, and Colonel Tregear against the Lushai Tribes. The little forces had to make their way through the roadless and pestilent jungle, which caused many troops to die from disease. Eventually the chiefs of the tribes believe surrender was necessary, and on April 30, 1890, the expedition was ended and disbanded.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-024

Inscriptions and markings

The recipient's name, rank and unit were impressed on the edge. The 32 mm wide ribbon is divided into five stripes, three red and two dark blue, each 6.4 mm wide. In 1895, the India Medal was authorised to reflect service in further Indian expeditions, replacing the 1854 General Service Medal. A total of 24 clasps were awarded for 23 campaigns with 55 qualifying actions.] Those who qualified for a second or subsequent clasp received the new clasp only, to be attached to their existing medal. The medal was never issued without a clasp, with a maximum of seven known to be awarded to one individual.

Contextual Information

The Australian Army Museum of WA has one example of this medal with a Chin-Lushai bar in its collection. It forms part of the medal group of William St Lucien Chase VC and is displayed in the Hall of Valour.

Geotag

23.283559560571, 92.82946834137

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Links to additional resources

Chace VC Medal Group

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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