The Queen’s South Africa Medal was awarded to military personnel who served in the Boer War in South Africa between 11th October 1899 and 31st May 1902. This second campaign medal, King’s South Africa Medal was instituted in 1902, for award to all those who were in theatre on or after the 1st January 1902, and had completed 18 months service in the conflict prior to 1st June 1902.
Poor logistics’ and disease made the South African campaign a tough one for the British soldier, men often having to go without basics such as food and water, and enteric fever was a constant drain on manpower. This combined with having to fight a guerrilla war against a capable enemy makes this a hard won medal. The modern published casualty rolls run to over 50,000 names.
