Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Queen's South Africa Medal (QSA)

« Prev Item Next Item »

Subcollections

Overview

The Queen's South Africa Medal is a silver or bronze disk, 38 millimetres in diameter with the crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria facing left, with the legend "VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX" around the upper perimeter on the obverse.
The reverse, designed by G. W. de Saulles, has Britannia with a flag in her left hand holding out a laurel wreath. In the right background are troops marching inland from the coast. In the left background are two men-of-war, with Neptune's Trident and Britannia's shield on the ground in the foreground. Below the wreath the dates ‘1899-1900’ are shown. Around the top are the words ‘SOUTH AFRICA’. Three types of reverse exist.
The suspender is attached to the medal with a claw mount and a pin through the upper edge of the medal. The ribbon has a broad orange central stripe flanked by two dark blue stripes and red edges.

Historical information

The Queen’s South Africa Medal was awarded for service in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The individual Australian colonies raised units and a number of Australians who were not able to join Australian units enlisted in British and South African units. The bronze medal was awarded to non-combatant Indian troops and other non-combatant men of whatever nationality who drew military pay, although some silver medals were awarded to native troops.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-160

Inscriptions and markings

The recipients Rank, name and unit are engraved on the rim of the medal. Twenty six clasps were issued for the Queen’s South Africa Medal. Of these, 18 clasps were issued to Australian State or Commonwealth units or to individuals who served from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902. The clasps were attached to the suspender and to each other in roller chain fashion with rivets.

Contextual Information

The Army Museum has [ } examples of this medal in it collection either singly or within a group. The first Western Australian volunteers were dispatched in 1899, followed by five other contingents and a contribution to the Commonwealth contingent after Federation. 923 West Australians served in the Boer War out of a total of over 11,000 Australians.
Multiple examples of this medal are retained as an ongoing memorial to the service and sacrifice of Western Australians. Medals are displayed in context throughout the Museum. All medals are identified, archivally stored and those not on display are accessible and viewable with prior notice.

Links to additional resources

Eligibility for Award

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback