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SA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught
SA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of ConnaughtSA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught
SA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of ConnaughtSA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught
SA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of ConnaughtSA Union: Opening of the First Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught
Form: Circular. White metal & pewter medals pierced at 12 o’clock.
By: William James Dingley, Birmingham.
Date: 1910
Ref:  AM2: 124; Laidlaw: 0258;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
38.7 mmNickel21.4 gm$35
38.6 mmWhite Metal17.2 gm$25
38.7 mmPewter25.1 gm$25
Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Bareheaded bust of the Duke in uniform, left. Signed: “W.J.D.” on the truncation. Left background, two ships at sea and a radiant sun on the horizon with rays extending upwards behind the design. Legend on a raised band above: “OPENING OF THE FIRST UNION PARLIAMENT”, and below between stops: “BY H.R.H. DUKE OF CONNAUGHT”.

Reverse: Flanked by branches of laurel, a map of South Africa naming the four territories: Transvaal, Orange Free State, Natal and Cape Colony. Ribbon across: “ONE DESTINY”. Above, a radiant sun and: “1910 (in an arc)”. Signed: “W.J.D” at the bottom. Legend on a raised band: “TO COMMEMORATE THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA” with an ornament at the foot.

Notes: The Union of South Africa came into force on 31 May 1910. General elections were held on 15 September for the 121 seats in the House of Assembly. The first session of the Union Parliament was opened in Parliament House, Cape Town, on 4 November 1910.

The Duke of Connaught was the third son of Queen Victoria. He traveled to South Africa on the Union-Castle ship the Balmoral Castle where he represented his nephew King George V at the opening of the first Union Parliament. Subsequently he served as the Governor-General in Canada.