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The King's South Africa Medal Obverse The King's South Africa Medal Reverse

The King's South Africa Medal

Overview

Following Queen Victoria’s death during the South African War, King Edward VII instituted the King's South Africa Medal to recognise eighteen months of service in the Boer War in South Africa between 1 January 1902 and 1 June 1902. The medal was never issued alone, but always with the Queen's Medal.

Description

The medal is silver and circular in shape with the bust of King Edward VII on the obverse. The reverse features 

Britannia with a flag in her left hand holding out a laurel wreath to a party of advancing soldiers. In the background are two warships. Below the wreath, the dates ‘1899-1900’ are shown. Around the top are the words ‘SOUTH AFRICA’.

The ribbon has stripes of green, white, and orange. 

Two clasps were awarded with this medal:  South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.

Eligibility

Officers, warr­ant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British, Indian, and Colonial Forces, and all nurses and nursing sisters who served during 1902 and had a total of at least 18 months of service by the end of the war on May 31, 1902. The service did not need to be continuous. For example, soldiers who were sent home from South Africa before January 1902 but returned and served anytime between January 1902 and May 1902 still received the medal if they had completed the required 18 months of service in total.

Important note:  This medal is no longer issued by NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals. 

Recipients

Approximately 200 New Zealand military personnel, and six New Zealand nurses, were awarded the King's South Africa Medal. All the awards of the King's South Africa Medal to members of the New Zealand Contingents were issued with both the “South Africa 1901” and “South Africa 1902” clasps.

Queries & requests

  • Related publications

    New Zealand Rough Riders. In the South African War 1899-1902 and biographical details of the 10 New Zealand contingents. Richard Stowers (self published, 2015). 

  • Wearing this medal

    The King's South Africa Medal is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the Queen's South Africa Medal and before the 1914 Star.

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Checking eligibility and applying for this medal

    NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals no longer issues the King's South Africa Medal.

  • Checking if this medal was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  Archives New Zealand(external link) holds a collection of service records for New Zealanders who served in the New Zealand Armed Forces prior to the Second World War.  Many of the service records are digitised and easily accessible online.