British South Africa Company Medal
The British South Africa Company (BSAC) was established following the amalgamation of Cecil Rhodes' Central Search Association and the London-based Exploring Company Ltd, which had originally competed to exploit the expected mineral wealth of Mashonaland, but united because of common economic interests and to secure British government backing. The company received a Royal Charter in 1889 modeled on that of the British East India Company.
The British South Africa Company Medal was awarded to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War. In 1897, the award was extended to those engaged in the two campaigns of the Second Matabele War, namely Rhodesia (1896) and Mashonaland (1897). The recipient's first eligible campaign is inscribed at the top on all versions of the medal, except the 1927 issue. The three medals are the same except for the name of the campaign for which the medal was issued, inscribed on the reverse.
In 1927, the government of Southern Rhodesia re-issued the medal and instituted a new clasp, to commemorate the Pioneer Column that operated within Mashonaland in 1890. Those previously awarded the medal were required to exchange it for the new version.
The majority of awards were to colonial and locally raised troops, rather than members of the regular British Army. The 36mm circular medal is made of silver. The obverse depicts a left facing effigy of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem and veil. Around the edge is the inscription, VICTORIA REGINA.
The reverse depicts a charging lion, wounded in the chest with an assegai. In the foreground are native weapons and a shield, in the background is a mimosa bush, and below the scene the inscription: BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY. The recipient's first eligible campaign is inscribed at the top on all versions of the medal except the 1927 issue.
British South Africa Company Medal 1890-1897
The medal is mounted on an ornate swivel suspension bar decorated with shamrocks, thistles and roses. Four clasps were issued: (1) MATABELELAND 1893 (only awarded with the 1927 medal. Originally recipients received the medal without clasp, with the campaign inscribed on the reverse); (2) RHODESIA 1896; (3) MASHONALAND 1897 and (4) MASHONALAND 1890 (awarded in 1927).
The British South Africa Company (BSAC) was established following the amalgamation of Cecil Rhodes' Central Search Association and the London-based Exploring Company Ltd, which had originally competed to exploit the expected mineral wealth of Mashonaland, but united because of common economic interests and to secure British government backing. The company received a Royal Charter in 1889 modeled on that of the British East India Company.
The British South Africa Company Medal was awarded to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War. In 1897, the award was extended to those engaged in the two campaigns of the Second Matabele War, namely Rhodesia (1896) and Mashonaland (1897). The recipient's first eligible campaign is inscribed at the top on all versions of the medal, except the 1927 issue. The three medals are the same except for the name of the campaign for which the medal was issued, inscribed on the reverse.
In 1927, the government of Southern Rhodesia re-issued the medal and instituted a new clasp, to commemorate the Pioneer Column that operated within Mashonaland in 1890. Those previously awarded the medal were required to exchange it for the new version.
The majority of awards were to colonial and locally raised troops, rather than members of the regular British Army. The 36mm circular medal is made of silver. The obverse depicts a left facing effigy of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem and veil. Around the edge is the inscription, VICTORIA REGINA.
The reverse depicts a charging lion, wounded in the chest with an assegai. In the foreground are native weapons and a shield, in the background is a mimosa bush, and below the scene the inscription: BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY. The recipient's first eligible campaign is inscribed at the top on all versions of the medal except the 1927 issue.
British South Africa Company Medal 1890-1897
The medal is mounted on an ornate swivel suspension bar decorated with shamrocks, thistles and roses. Four clasps were issued: (1) MATABELELAND 1893 (only awarded with the 1927 medal. Originally recipients received the medal without clasp, with the campaign inscribed on the reverse); (2) RHODESIA 1896; (3) MASHONALAND 1897 and (4) MASHONALAND 1890 (awarded in 1927).
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