Central Africa Medal
Conflict
The Colonial Wars In Africa 1891 - 1898.
Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.
History
The Central Africa Medal was a British Empire campaign medal presented for service in Africa. The medal was instituted in 1895 and was awarded for service between 1891 and 1894 in Eastern and Central Africa.
Additionally, it was also awarded to those who participated in the 1895 Unyoro Expedition, and for service in British Central Africa between 1894 and 1898.
The medal uses the same medal design as the Ashantee Medal and the East and West Africa Medal.
Description
The medal is circular, 36mm in diameter and was struck in either silver or bronze. The medal is identical to the East & West Africa medal (and thus the Ashantee Medal) with Queen Victoria’s crowned and veiled head on the obverse along with the inscription; ‘VICTORIA REGINA’.
The reverse depicts troops in combat with natives against a jungle background.
The reverse was designed by Sir Edward John Poynter, the famous British artist and was based on a scene, inspired by the Ashanti War of British soldiers fighting the Ashanti in the jungle.
The ribbon suspender is of the plain, straight and swivelling style attached to the medal by a claw mount, although a number were issued with a ring attachment.
Some medals were issued un-named. Where named, the recipient's details can be found on the medal's rim impressed with square sans serif capitals or engraved script.
Ribbon
The ribbon is 33mm wide and terracotta, white and black in colour.
Bars/Clasps
This medal was issued with the following clasps:-
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Central Africa 1894–98
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Awarded for service in the following:-
I). Operations around Fort Johnston against Makanjira in January 1894.
II). Expeditions against Chief Kawinga of the Yaos in March 1895.
III). Expeditions against several chiefs of the Yao between September and November 1895 for the purposes of pacifying the lands at the southern end of Lake Nyassa.
IV). Expeditions against Mlozi and Mwazi in December 1895 for the purposes of ridding the regions north of Lake Nyassa of slavers.
V). Expeditions led by Lieutenant C.A Edwards against Chief Tambola of the Yaos tribe which had occupied an area west of Lake Nyassa in January 1896.
VI). Expeditions against the chief of the Ngoni led by Captain Manning and Captain Stewart in October 1896.
VII). Expeditions to Chilwa led by Captain Manning against Chief Serumba of the Angura south of Lake Chilwa in August 1897.
VIII). Expeditions against Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni tribe led by Captain H.E.J. Brake DSO between January and February 1898 for the purposes of pacifying the lands in North-Eastern Rhodesia.
IX). Expeditions to South Angoniland led by Captain F.B. Pearce and Lieutenant J.S. Brogden for the purpose of suppressing Ngoni raiders.
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Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.
Dealer Retail Value *
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Central Africa Medal to European recipient
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£2500.00
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Central Africa Medal to native recipient
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£700.00
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With clasp to European recipient
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£2500.00
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With clasp to native recipient
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£1000.00
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Un-named to native recipient
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£500.00
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* It should be noted that the values quoted above reflect the average price that a medal dealer may expect to sell this medal for - please see the ‘things you should know’ web page for more details about valuing medals.
Further Historical Context
This section contains information on:-
- The British Central Africa Protectorate.
The British Central Africa Protectorate - The British Central Africa Protectorate was a protectorate proclaimed in 1889 and ratified in 1891 that occupied the same area as present-day Malawi: it was renamed Nyasaland in 1907.
British interest in the area arose from visits by David Livingstone from 1858 onward during his exploration of the Zambezi area. This encouraged missionary activity starting in the 1860s, followed by a small number of settlers.
The Portuguese government attempted to claim much of this area, but their claims were disputed by the British government. To forestall a Portuguese expedition claiming effective occupation, a protectorate was proclaimed, first over the south of this area, then over the whole of it in 1889.
After negotiations with the Portuguese and German governments on its boundaries, the protectorate was formally ratified by the British government in May, 1891.