King's African Rifles Long Service and Good Conduct Medal explained

King's African Rifles Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Presenter:the United Kingdom
Eligibility:Members of the King's African Rifles
Awarded For:Long service
Status:No longer awarded
Description:Circular silver medal
Post-Nominals:None
Established:1907
Lastawarded:Early 1960s

The King's African Rifles Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was approved in March 1907[1] to recognise long service and good conduct by native African NCOs and men of the King's African Rifles (KAR).

Initially, the period of qualifying service to be eligible for the medal was 18 years, but in March 1933 it was reduced to 16 years.[2] Awards were discontinued in the early 1960s, as each of Britain's East African colonies received independence, with KAR units redesignated or disbanded.[3]

It is a 36 mm wide circular silver medal bearing the effigy of the reigning monarch on the obverse. The reverse is inscribed 'FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT' over four lines with, around the top circumference of the medal, the words 'KING'S AFRICAN RIFLES'. The 32 mm wide ribbon is crimson with a central green stripe, the same as for the Royal West African Frontier Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.[4]

The medal was worn in uniform after campaign and royal commemorative medals.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Duckers, Peter . British Military Medals: A Guide for the Collector and Family Historian . 2nd . Pen and Sword . 2013 . 978-1-47382-983-1 . Barnsley, UK . Chapter 14.
  2. Book: Moyse-Bartlett, H. . The King's African Rifles: A Study in the Military History of East and Central Africa, 1890–1945, Volume 2 . 2012 . Andrews UK . Luton . 978-1-78150-663-9 . 699, Appendix C.
  3. Book: Page, Malcolm . King's African Rifles: A History. . 2011. 978-1848844384. Barnsley, UK . Chapter 12: Imperial Twilight.
  4. Book: John Mussell (ed).. Medal Yearbook 2015.. 2014. 245. Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon. 9781908828163.