Campaign: South Africa 1877-79

Branch of Service: Royal Navy, Army and colonial units

Description: (obverse) Wyon profile of Queen Victoria, text around VICTORIA REGINA; (reverse) a British lion drinking at a waterhole beside a protea shrub, a Zulu shield and four crossed assegais being in the exergue, text above SOUTH AFRICA.

Clasp: 1879

Ribbon: Gold with broad and narrow deep blue stripes towards each end

Comments: The campaign began in 1877 with an attack on the Fingoes by the Galeka and Gaika tribes and culminated in the showdown between the Zulus and the British when Lord Chelmsford's column was annihilated at Isandhlwana. When the 3000 Zulus advanced on Rorke's Drift, however, they were checked with heavy losses by a garrison of only 139 men. The campaign concluded with the defeat of Dinizulu and his warriors at Ulundi.