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Cape Colony: Boer War: Kimberley Star or Mayor's Siege Medal

Cape Colony: Boer War: Kimberley Star or Mayor's Siege MedalCape Colony: Boer War: Kimberley Star or Mayor's Siege Medal
Cape Colony: Boer War: Kimberley Star or Mayor's Siege MedalCape Colony: Boer War: Kimberley Star or Mayor's Siege Medal
Form: Star with loop for a ring to an ornate suspension bar. The short ribbon is narrow red-white-blue in the middle bordered by wider orange (left) and black (right). Plain upper suspension bar with brooch pin.
By: Alfred Horatio Darby, Birmingham
Date: 1900
Ref:  AM: 75B; Hern: 174; Hibbard: E2, E3; Laidlaw: 0309;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
40.7 mm x 46.5 mmSilver15.0 gm (without suspension)$480 ($680 paired with QSA)

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Six-pointed star with ball on each point. On a central circular medallion, made separately and bonded to the star, the Kimberley coat of arms with motto: "SPERO MELIORA". Legend on a band above: "KIMBERLEY" and below between stops: "1899-1900".

Reverse: Across: "MAYOR'S / SIEGE MEDAL / 1900". Stamped below with the Birmingham hallmarks for 1900-01 (a) or 1901-02 (b). Below that the maker's mark: "AHD". Sometimes privately engraved with the recipients name. This medal: "Tpr. E. BARTER / A. Squadron K.L.H."

Notes: The medal was commissioned by the Mayor of Kimberley, Mr H.A. Oliver, for issue to all those who had participated in the military defense of the town. At a ceremony on 15 April 1901 the Mayor presented some 2,000 medals. More than 2,000 other men were absent from the function and their medals were held for later presentation.

The medal was not an official award but the majority of recipients would also have received the Queen's South Africa with (at least) the DEFENSE OF KIMBERLEY clasp. The medals are worth more when engraved with the recipient's name particularly when paired with the corresponding QSA medal.

Trooper E. Barter, serving with the Kimberley Light Horse, was awarded the QSA with PAARDERBERG, DEFENSE OF KIMBERLEY and RELIEF OF MAFEKING clasps. He was subsequently with Kitchener's Horse and, as a Sergeant, with the Commander in Chief's Body Guard where he received additionally the SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps.

Hibbard records two similar gold Kimberley stars. These were specially made for presentation as tribute medals. One of these was presented to Mayor H.A. Oliver.