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Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South Africa

Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South AfricaGreat Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South Africa
Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South AfricaGreat Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South Africa
Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South AfricaGreat Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Depature for South Africa
Form: Circulat with attached loop.
By: Sale of Birmingham.
Date: 1902
Ref:  AM2: 97; Laidlaw: 0173b;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
22.2 mmSilver~ 6 gm$70
22.1 mmSilver Plate~ 6 gm$50
22.1 mmYellow Bronze3.8 gm$40

Edge: Upright reeded

Obverse: Bust of Chamberlain witjh monacle, front. Half laurel wreath to the left. Below the bust to the right, signed: “SALE”. In an arc at the foot: “THE RT HONR JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN. M.P.”

Reverse: Text only: “PRESENTED (in an arc) / TO / TORCHBEARERS / TO COMMEMORATE / THE DEMONSTRATION / TO / THE RIGHT HONOURABLE / JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN / UPON HIS DEPARTURE / TO S. AFRICA / NOV. 17. 1902”. In an arc at the foot: “B’HAM”.

Notes: The silver medal is stamped on the front with the hallmark for Birmingham 1902 and the makers mark: "H.B.S". The medal is suspended from a silver pin-bar marked: “COMMITTEE” in blue enamel and stamped with the same hallmarks and maker's mark on the back.

The silver plated medal is suspended from a white metal pin-bar impressed: “TORCH BEARER”.

The bronze medal is suspended from a copper pin-bar impressed: “MARSHAL”.

Joseph Chamberlain (1836 - 1914) was a British industrialist turned politician. He was the Secretary of State for the Colonies between 1895 and 1903. After the conclusion of the Boer War, Chamberlain sailed to South Africa on HMS Good Hope. He traveled widely throughout the country between 26 December 1902 and 25 February 1903. His aim was to foster unity in South Africa within the British Empire.