Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal

 

The Second Boer War 1899-1902.

 

Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.

 

 

The Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal was an unofficial British Empire campaign medal presented by the ‘people of Yorkshire’ for service during the Second Boer War. The medal was ‘instituted’ in 1900 and was awarded to members of the Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry that served in South Africa.

 

Initially, during the early stages of the Second Boer War the British fought the Boers with a small, professional army, but after the reverses of December 1899, many volunteered in considerable numbers to serve in South Africa. The original proposal to organise Regiments of Yeomanry for service in the Boer War was made by Lord Chesham and other Yeomanry officers in October 1899.

 

On 13 December 1899, the War Office decided it would allow a contingent of volunteer forces based on the standing Yeomanry regiments to serve overseas. The standing Yeomanry regiments were asked to provide service companies of around 121 men each. A new Imperial Yeomanry were also to be raised on a county basis with the core being the men of the existing volunteer units. The remaining numbers were to be recruited from individuals that met the necessary service criteria.

 

Simultaneously, with the establishment of the Imperial Yeomanry, Volunteer Service Companies, each of which contained 116 men, territorially affiliated with the Infantry, were also established. A total of 66 Volunteer Service Companies served during the Boer War.

 

There were sent to South Africa in 3 contingents:-

 

 

Their efforts were commemorated by civic war memorials and the issue of tribute medals to mark the contribution by all sectors of society in this war to preserve the British Empire.

 

 

The medal is circular, 38mm in diameter and was struck in silver. There has been three separate obverse styles of this medal bears. The first two depict the Prince Of Wales Feathers, that may or may not include the dates; ‘1900-1901’, or; ‘1901-1902’ and have the number; ‘3’ below, while the third striking includes the number; ‘66’ – these numbers are a reference to the two separate battalions that the medal was issued to. 

 

The reverse depicts the White Rose Of Yorkshire with an imperial Crown above and is enclosed by a laurel wreath with the inscription; ’A TRIBUTE FROM YORKSHIRE’.

 

The ribbon suspender for the first two medals issued was a plain ring that surmounts the medal. The third issue is of the plain, straight and swivelling style attached to the medal by a claw mount.

 

The recipient's details can be found on the medal's rim.

 

 

 

The ribbon for the first two medal issues was 32mm wide and yellow in colour.

 

 

The ribbon for the third issue was also 32mm wide and is dark blue in colour with a central yellow stripe.

 

 

None were authorised for this medal.

 

Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.

 

 

 

* 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.

 

 

This section contains information on:-

 

- The Second Boer War.

- The Imperial Yeomanry.

 

The Second Boer War - The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State.

 

It ended with a British victory and the annexation of both republics by the British Empire; both would eventually be incorporated into the Union of South Africa, a dominion of the British Empire, in 1910.

 

The conflict is commonly referred to as The Boer War but is also known as the South African War outside South Africa, the Anglo-Boer War among most South Africans, and in Afrikaans as the Anglo-Boereoorlog or Tweede Vryheidsoorlog (Second War of Liberation or Second Freedom War) or the Engelse oorlog (English War).

 

The Second Boer War and the earlier, much less well known, First Boer War (December 1880 to March 1881) are collectively known as the Boer Wars.

 

This information was taken from ‘Wikipedia’. The original article and details of the authors can be found here. It is reproduced on this web-site under the ‘creative commons’ licence which can be found here.

 

The Imperial Yeomanry - The Imperial Yeomanry was a British volunteer cavalry regiment that mainly saw action during the Second Boer War.

 

Officially created in December 1899, the regiment was based on members of standing Yeomanry regiments, but also contained a large contingent of middle or upper class English volunteers. In Ireland 120 men were recruited in February 1900. It was officially disbanded in 1908.

 

This information was taken from ‘Wikipedia’. The original article and details of the authors can be found here. It is reproduced on this web-site under the ‘creative commons’ licence which can be found here.