United Kingdom. An East and West Africa Medal, to Sepoy Abdullah Jan, 24th Bombay Infantry, 1895

Instituted 1892. A silver medal, 36mm, the obverse presenting a left facing portrait of Queen Victoria, the reverse featuring a scene of bush fighting around a tree, the rim impressed “MWELE 1895-6” on either side of the claw, and engraved “1292 Sepoy Abdullah Jan. 24th Bo Infy”, worn on a straight swivel bar suspension attached to a replacement ribbon with central grommet, lovely patina, minor wear, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The East and West Africa Medal was established on November 1, 1892. It was awarded to Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and enlisted men of the British Army, as well as Officers and enlisted men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in recognition of service in military campaigns in Africa from 1895-1896. The Medal was awarded to Officers and enlisted men of the British Army, the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, and the Indian Army in recognition of service in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War (1873-1874). Those who served in the Mwele Campaign of 1895-96 on the Kenyan coast did not qualify for a clasp but received the medal with the inscription “MWELE” and the date on the rim, next to the claw.

Sepoy Abdullah Jan served with the 24th Bombay Infantry.