Date
Instituted: 1830.
Description: This medal has undergone numerous changes during its long
lifespan and the different types encountered are as follows:
First
type - obverse bears the royal arms with the badge of Hanover in
the centre while the reverse has the inscription 'FOR LONG SERVICE
AND GOOD CONDUCT'. The suspender is of a rectangular shape with
a small 'V' section to accept the loop attached to the top of the
medal.
Second
type - same as above but with the badge of Hanover replaced
by Queen Victoria's royal arms. The reverse of this type appears
with slightly smaller letters to the inscription on the reverse
from 1874 onwards. The rectangular suspender was also replaced with
an ornate scroll type in 1855.
Third
type - from 1901 the effigy of the reigning monarch replaced the
trophy of arms on the obverse.
Fourth
type - in 1930 the medal became known as the Long Service and Good
Conduct (Military) Medal. At the same time the scroll suspender
was changed to one bearing the words 'REGULAR ARMY' or the name
of the dominion in which the recipient was from (i.e. Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, India or South Africa).
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36mm.
Bars: Bars were authorised for additional periods of service
in 1940.
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1830 - 1916 |
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Naming: Hanoverian
and early Victorian issues were impressed in the style of the Waterloo
medal and had the date of the award until 1855.
After this date naming was impressed in the style of the Military General
Service Medal but later Victorian issues were engraved. From 1901
onwards medals were impressed in capital letters of various styles.
Comments: This medal was awarded to enlisted men for 21 years service
in the infantry or 24 in the cavalry but this was reduced to 18
years in 1870. Officers who served 12 of their 18 years in the ranks
became eligible for this medal during the Second World War. |
