INTRODUCTION.

MY

Y first description of British War Medals appeared in 1866. Of this impression, only three hundred copies were published; it has now become very scarce, and is still in demand. I have therefore been induced to prepare a New Edition.

Since the above date, several New Medals have been earned by British soldiers and sailors in various parts of the world. That for Abyssinia is a witness of energy and perseverance over almost insurmountable obstacles; the New Zealand Medal represents innumerable skirmishes and dangerous engagements with the Maoris from 1845 to 1866; and the ClaspsNorth-west Frontier, Umbeyla, Bhootan, and Looshai -added to the India General Service Medal, commemorate British promptitude in arresting lawless incursion, and avenging rapine and bloodshed. The fall of Coomassie, which closed the short campaign against the Ashantees, adds another honourable award to the long list of decorations which illustrate active military and naval service, and preserve the memory of conquest. It has also been announced that Medals will shortly be issued for the recent wars in Zululand and Afghanistan.

My object in the following pages is simply to tabulate and describe the Medals and Decorations that have been awarded for British Military and Naval Services, from the Protectorate to the present time.

It is not certain that many of the medals of Queen Elizabeth and James I. were intended to be worn as military or naval decorations; from their appearance we may presume they were; their oval form, and the fact that they have either loops or rings attached, would seem to lead to no other conclusion.

The first medal of which we have any authentic account, as having been conferred by royal favour and worn as a military decoration, was granted by King Charles I., in 1643, to soldiers who distinguished themselves in forlorn hopes. The badge was of silver, and represented His Majesty and Prince Charles.

It is also recorded that an especial mark of favour was conferred upon Robert Walsh (who commanded a troop of horse at the battle of Edge Hill, 1642), for recovering the King's colours taken by the enemy, and capturing two pieces of cannon; he received from the King the honour of knighthood and a GOLD MEDAL.

However, the practice of bestowing such honorary distinc

* See Medallic History of England.