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With thanks to Henk Loots
In the section "Researchers Notice Board" of the Autumn 1991 OMRS Journal, Michael W Clare enquires about a Boer War memorial medallion which is illustrated in two books dealing with the Boer War. I have prepared the following notes regarding this particular medallion, drawing on data published in "Commemorative Medals of the ZAR" (Africana Museum, Johannesburg, 1958) as well as various items in my collection.
This circular medal, which was struck by the Birmingham Mint, exists in silver and bronze, in diameters of 70, 52 and 44 mm respectively and with two different legends on the reverse.
Obverse : Armed female figure, "Bellona" standing, in the act of sheathing a sword. In background view of harbour (Table Bay?) with shipping and marching troops. On the left in the background "Pax" on the rising sun. Artist : At the foot "E Fuchs".
Reverse: Battlefield on which a winged female figure with a sprig of laurel in her hand is kneeling beside a fallen soldier pressing a flag to himself.
Legend 1 : In the field above : "To the/ memory of those/ who gave their lives for / Queen and country". On a tablet below between branches of palm and laurel : "South African/ Campaign/ 1899 - 1900".
Legend 2 : In the field above : "To the/ memory of those/ who gave their lives for / King and country". On a tablet below between branches of palm and laurel: "South African / Campaign/ 1899 - 1902".
Artist : At the foot on the left "Emile" and on the right "Fuchs". Near the edge "H".
According to the London periodical, South Africa of 3 Nov. 1900, p. 227, the medal was issued to commemorate the termination of the war and was on sale in South Africa at branches of Myers Brothers. This obviously, was a premature assumption after the British annexation of Pretoria in-June 1900. It is also stated in The Sphere, 23 Aug. 1902 that Elkington & Co. had something to do with the striking of the medal. L Forrer in his eight volume work "Biographical Dictionary of Medallists" published by Spinks in London (1902-1930) also refers to this medal (Vol. II - p. 166 & 453).
The artist, Emile Fuchs, was a painter, sculptor and medallist of Austrian descent and was born in Vienna in 1866. He designed Great Britain's Edward VII postage stamps. He evidently thought highly of his work as he exhibited this particular medal at the Paris Salon in 1908.
Occasionally this medal is found with a claw and scroll swivel suspender as is shown by an example in the Africana Museum. In the vast majority of cases it is found without a suspender. Examples which have been named on the rim to Boer War casualties have appeared on the market : these, obviously, were purchased by next of kin and privately engraved.
Henk Loots
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Hope you enjoyed this little tidbit of information and again I say thankyou to Henk Loots.....
Mike
With thanks to Henk Loots
ANGLO BOER WAR 1899 - 1902
"PEACE" MEDAL BY FUCHS
"PEACE" MEDAL BY FUCHS
In the section "Researchers Notice Board" of the Autumn 1991 OMRS Journal, Michael W Clare enquires about a Boer War memorial medallion which is illustrated in two books dealing with the Boer War. I have prepared the following notes regarding this particular medallion, drawing on data published in "Commemorative Medals of the ZAR" (Africana Museum, Johannesburg, 1958) as well as various items in my collection.
This circular medal, which was struck by the Birmingham Mint, exists in silver and bronze, in diameters of 70, 52 and 44 mm respectively and with two different legends on the reverse.
Obverse : Armed female figure, "Bellona" standing, in the act of sheathing a sword. In background view of harbour (Table Bay?) with shipping and marching troops. On the left in the background "Pax" on the rising sun. Artist : At the foot "E Fuchs".
Reverse: Battlefield on which a winged female figure with a sprig of laurel in her hand is kneeling beside a fallen soldier pressing a flag to himself.
Legend 1 : In the field above : "To the/ memory of those/ who gave their lives for / Queen and country". On a tablet below between branches of palm and laurel : "South African/ Campaign/ 1899 - 1900".
Legend 2 : In the field above : "To the/ memory of those/ who gave their lives for / King and country". On a tablet below between branches of palm and laurel: "South African / Campaign/ 1899 - 1902".
Artist : At the foot on the left "Emile" and on the right "Fuchs". Near the edge "H".
According to the London periodical, South Africa of 3 Nov. 1900, p. 227, the medal was issued to commemorate the termination of the war and was on sale in South Africa at branches of Myers Brothers. This obviously, was a premature assumption after the British annexation of Pretoria in-June 1900. It is also stated in The Sphere, 23 Aug. 1902 that Elkington & Co. had something to do with the striking of the medal. L Forrer in his eight volume work "Biographical Dictionary of Medallists" published by Spinks in London (1902-1930) also refers to this medal (Vol. II - p. 166 & 453).
The artist, Emile Fuchs, was a painter, sculptor and medallist of Austrian descent and was born in Vienna in 1866. He designed Great Britain's Edward VII postage stamps. He evidently thought highly of his work as he exhibited this particular medal at the Paris Salon in 1908.
Occasionally this medal is found with a claw and scroll swivel suspender as is shown by an example in the Africana Museum. In the vast majority of cases it is found without a suspender. Examples which have been named on the rim to Boer War casualties have appeared on the market : these, obviously, were purchased by next of kin and privately engraved.
Henk Loots
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Hope you enjoyed this little tidbit of information and again I say thankyou to Henk Loots.....
Mike
