Canada: Boer War: Toronto Tribute Medal / Brave Boys Welcome Home

Form:

Circular. The silver medal has an ornate suspension bar and ribbon (for details see under 'Note').

By:

P.W. Ellis & Co. of Toronto

Date:

1900

Ref:

Hern: 872; Hibbard: H1; Laidlaw: 0059a;

Variations:

Size	Metal	Mass	Value
34.4mm	Silver (1900)	30.4 gm w/ suspension	$800 (named); $500 (unnamed)
34 mm	Silver (1902)		$900 (named); $600 (unnamed)
34 mm	Bronze	19.8 gm	$100
34.4 mm	White Metal	13.6 gm	$70

Edge:

Plain. Silver medal sometimes engraved with the recipient’s name. This silver medal: "C. TOMLINSON 7395 R.C.R."

Obverse:

Beneath a grape vine, a woman and dog rush to welcome a uniformed Canadian soldier shouldering a rifle. Written vertically on the slats of a fence behind: “PW ELLIS & Co / TORONTO”.

Reverse:

A sheathed sword dividing the field vertically. At the top, surrounding the sword’s hilt, a laurel wreath inscribed within: “SOUTH AFRICA / 1900”. Below this, a dove with outstretched wings, facing downwards, holding a ribbon inscribed: “WELCOME HOME” in its beak. Legend around above: “CANADA’S (left)” BRAVE BOYS (right)”. At the foot, sprigs of maple leaves, and the maker’s name around the edge: “P.W.ELLIS & Co. TORONTO”

Notes:

The Toronto City Council authorised the silver medal as a tribute to returning soldiers. These have an ornate suspension bar and ribbon. A Queen’s crown is attached to the top of the medal. Two suspension rings are attached to the left and right of the crown. A pair of silver chains link through these rings to a silver suspension bar. The bar displays crossed rifles with a maple leaf in front. Behind is a ribbon inscribed: “TORONTO WELCOMES HER SONS”. A brooch pin is at the back of the bar and a rod to which is attached a broad silk ribbon which is intended to hang down behind the medal. Two different ribbons are found: either the ribbon for the Queen's South Africa Medal or a ribbon with five equally wide bands Gold-Red-White-Blue-Gold.

The first units of Canadian volunteers from Toronto were in South Africa during 1900 and fought in the initial stage of the war and would have received the medal dated: "1900". Some remained behind joining other units or volunteered for a second time (only to arrive after peace had been negotiated). The less common tribute medal dated: "1902" would have been presented to some of these volunteers.

The bronze meal issued inside a brown case lined with fitted purple velvet top and bottom. On the outside of the case in gilt: "TRADE MARK (divided by maple leaf) / DESIGNERS / AND MANUFACTURERS / OF MEDALS / (ornamental lines) / P.W. ELLIS & Co / 31 & 33 WELLINGTON / STREET EAST / TORONTO-CANADA-".

The silver medal here was lot No. 796 on the Dix Noonan Webb auction of 13-14 Sept 2012 and sold for £600. Tribute medals paired with the QSA medal will have considerably more value.