Their Story Is On Their Chest

As the activities of the East India Company gather momentum with its own military operations, so Mark Smith explains that the significance of the medal gathers pace too; while closer to home, the hard fighting that characterises the Crimean War leads to the incorporation of the highest award for valour: the Victoria Cross.

As war is fought on wide and varied fronts, Mark Smith explains the evolution of the Campaign Star and medals recognising service to the nation in conflict and upheaval, including the recognition of bravery with the introduction of the George and Military Crosses, Military Medal and medals for General Service.

History unfolds as Mark Smith recounts the story of the medal through war in Afghanistan, uprising and revolt in Egypt and conflict in Africa, often referred to as Victoria’s Little Wars, a soubriquet given by legendary author, Byron Farwell.

Starting with the coins that were issued by grateful commanders at Edgehill, Mark Smith charts the development of early medals like those issued following the Battles of the Nile, Siege of Seringaptam, Trafalgar and Waterloo to the creation of the Naval & General Service Medals by Queen Victoria in 1847.

In this informative post script to the medal series, Mark Smith shows how the discovery of a group of medals is not as straightforward as might first appear - for example the documents that add value to any collection, even the box itself, and the contents that could include vital clues from a musket ball that wounded to the cigarette case that saved a life.