Jellalabad Medals

The Jellalabad Medal was a campaign medal issued by the British East India Company. It was established by Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, on 30 April 1842.[1]
The medal was awarded for the defence of Jalalabad from 12 November 1841 to 7 April 1842, during the First Afghan War, to the troops under the command of Sir Robert Sale.[2] About 2,600 soldiers took part, including the 13th Foot (the only British Army unit present), the 35th Bengal Native Infantry, as well as detachments from other Indian Army units and some loyal Afghan forces.[3]

Jellalabad Medal
Left: Obverse, first type. Right: Reverse, second type
TypeCampaign Medal
Country United Kingdom
Presented by British East India Company
Campaign(s)First Anglo-Afghan War
ClaspsNone
Established30 April 1842
Total2,596[1]
Ribbon bar of the medal

In addition to the medal, the 13th Foot were permitted to show a Mural Crown and the battle honour 'Jellalabad' on its colours and regimental badge.[1]

Appearance

Two different versions of the Jellalabad Medal were awarded.[4]

The original medal was produced by the Calcutta Mint. It is silver and 39 millimetres (1.5 in) in diameter.[5]
Obverse: A mural crown with 'JELLALABAD' above.
Reverse: The date 'VII APRIL 1842' over three lines.
Suspension: A straight steel suspender attached to the medal by way of a steel clip. This original suspension was often replaced by a more decorative version.
Naming: Issued unnamed, the medal was often named privately. The medals awarded to the 13th Foot had the name and regiment of the recipient engraved at their commanding officer's expense.[5]

Lord Ellenborough was dissatisfied with the design and execution of this version[1] and, although awarded to serving soldiers, insufficient were produced to issue to next of kin of those who had died during the campaign. The East India Company therefore decided to strike a further issue of a new design. Although those in receipt of the original medal could exchange for the new medal, few did so with, for example, only five men of the 13th Foot opting to exchange.[5]

The second version of the medal was designed by William Wyon and produced by the Royal Mint in London. It is silver and 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter.[5]
Obverse: The diademed head Queen Victoria facing left with the inscription 'VICTORIA VINDEX' (PROTECTOR).[6]
Reverse: a winged figure of Victory flying over the fortress at Jellalabad. Above is the inscription 'JELLALABAD VII APRIL' with below the year 'MDCCCXLII'.
Suspension: A straight suspender attached to the medal by way of a steel clip. Many recipients replaced this with a more ornate silver suspension.
Naming: The recipient's name and regiment were impressed on the edge in block capitals.

The ribbon of both versions was a watered rainbow pattern of red, white, yellow, white and blue common to most East India Company medals.[7]
No clasp was awarded with either medal.[5]

Anglo-Afghan War

Four separate campaign medals were awarded to British led forces who served in the Afghan War of 1839 to 1842:[8]

References
  1. Mayo, John Horsley (1897). Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Volume I. A. Constable & Co, London. pp. 232–238.
  2. "Jellalabad Medal (1st issue), awarded to Pvt. Joseph Walker, 1842". Watson Medals Catalogue. The Fitzwilliam Museum. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  3. D.W Collett. Medals Yearbook, 1981. p. 68. 1981.
  4. John Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 138. Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.
  5. Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. p. 108. Published Spink, London. 1988.
  6. Cassell's New Latin-English Dictionary, 5th edition 1968. p. 643. ISBN 0304929093. Defines Vindex as: 'one who lays claim to or protects, a claimant or protector'
  7. Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. p. 272 ribbon chart. Published Spink, London. 1988.
  8. Edward C. Joslin. Observer's Book of British Awards and Medals. p. 90. Published Frederick Warne & Co, London. 1974.
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