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Colony of Natal: Natal Native Rebellion Campaign Medal

Colony of Natal: Natal Native Rebellion Campaign MedalColony of Natal: Natal Native Rebellion Campaign Medal
Colony of Natal: Natal Native Rebellion Campaign MedalColony of Natal: Natal Native Rebellion Campaign Medal
Form: Circular. Silver Medal with riveted swivel suspension bar for a crimson ribbon with black edges.
By: Goldsmith & Silversmiths Ltd., London (now Garrard & Co, Ltd.)
Date: 1906
Ref:  MYB: 163; Laidlaw: 0379;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
38.2 mmSilver36.0 mm$280 (with clasp) $220 (no clasp)
38.3 mmBronze35.2 gm$150

Edge: Plain. Silver medal engraved (officers) or lightly impressed (other ranks) with the recipients name, rank and unit. This medal: “CPL: L. HAAJEM, BORDER MTD. RIFLES.”

Obverse: Bareheaded bust of Edward VII, right. Legend: "EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR". Stop at the foot.

Reverse: Natalia as a young maiden standing on left, discarded Zulu weapons at her feet, supporting a broadsword in her right hand and holding a palm frond in her left. Britannia, standing on right, holding a globe with winger Peace in her left hand. Behind, four zulus standing on right, radiant sun above. In the exergue: "NATAL".

Notes: The Natal Native Rebellion (Bambatha Uprising) of 1906 was a Zulu revolt against British colonial rule and increased taxation. The rebellion was short-lived and lasted for about six month between February and August 1906.

The medal was awarded with the "1906" clasp for those who served for more than 50 days and without the clasp for those who served for less. Approximately 10,000 medals were issued with about 20% having no bar.

The medal roll has been published by Don R. Forsyth. He, and others, record the striking of bronze medals from the same dies probably as a trial strike.

The silver medals were issued inside a brown envelope printed: "THE / GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS / COMPANY Ltd., / 112. REGENT STREET. / LONDON, W." and handwritten with the recipients name, rank and unit. It is believed that the Company designed, manufactured and named the medals and shipped them packaged to Natal for issue.