The King's South Africa Medal stands as a testament to the valour and service of British and colonial forces in the latter stages of the Second Boer War. Instituted in 1901, this medal was conferred upon military personnel who continued to serve in South Africa until the end of the war in May 1902.
To be eligible for the King's South Africa Medal, recipients must have:
The King's South Africa Medal is easily distinguishable due to its unique characteristics. The obverse showcases the crowned profile of King Edward VII, and it is inscribed with the words 'EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR'. The reverse side of the medal illustrates Britannia holding the Union Flag, with two soldiers standing guard. The inscription 'SOUTH AFRICA' is embossed on the reverse, echoing its counterpart's design. The medal is made from silver, adding to its prestige and signifying the importance of the recognition it represents.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.