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Medal - Transvaal War, Hero of Mafeking, Queen Mary I, Australia, 1899-1900
Reg. No: NU 18983
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- Summary:
- Australia Western Australia Perth
Hero of Mafeking 1899 -1900 (AD)
Mint: Stokes
Other Details: Medal issued to commemorate the Transvaal War, and the role of the 'hero of Mafeking'. Mafikeng is the capital of the North West administrative province (formerly British Bechuanaland), South Africa, 870 miles north-east of Cape Town It is built on the open veldt by the banks of the Upper Molopo. Mafikeng was originally the headquarters of the Barolong tribe of Bechuana. In the 1880s a Barolong chief granted land to British mercenaries, who founded a settlement named Mafikeng, a local Tswana word meaning 'place of stones' (later British settlers spelt the name as Mafeking). On the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899 Mafeking was laid siege by the Boers. The commander of the garrison was Colonel, later Lord, Baden-Powell, who defeated an attack by the Boers just before the arrival of British reinforcements. He used his practical scouting skills to great advantage during the seige, organising men into groups, using survival skills and rewarding successes. The siege and relief of the town after 217 days excited sympathy in England, and when it was relieved exuberant rejoicings, called mafficking, erupted in London on the news. Baden-Powell became a hero, and on his return to England founded the Scouting movement. - Acquisition Information:
- Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976
| Discipline: | Numismatics |
| Dimensions: | 31 mm (Diameter) |
| Weight: | 12.71 g (Weight) |
More information
| Tagged with: | architecture, boer war 1899-1902, british transvaal war 1899-1900, scouting movement, town halls, wars conflicts, siege of mafeking 1899-1900 |
| Themes this item is part of: | George McArthur, Collector & Baker (1842-1903), Public Life & Institutions Collection, George Shenton, Mayor, City of Perth, Western Australia (1844-1909), Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, Colonel & Scouting Founder (1857-1941), Stokes & Son, Medal Makers, Melbourne, Victoria & Sydney, New South Wales, Boer War, South Africa, 1899-1902 |
| Primary Classification: | MEDALS |
| Secondary Classification: | Commemorative |
| Tertiary Classification: | military history |
| Series: | Australian Commemorative Medals |
| DateEra: | 1899-1900 AD |
| Obverse Description: | At centre within line circle bust of Baden Powell facing, wearing wide-rimmed hat; around, HERO OF MEFEKING . BRITISH TRANSVAAL WAR 1899 - 00 |
| Reverse Description: | At centre within broad rim decorated with zigzag pattern Perth Town Hall; above, TOWN HALL PERTH W. below, G. SHENTON / - MAYOR - |
| Edge Description: | Plain |
| Inscriptions: | (edge) (obverse) (reverse) |
| Shape: | round |
| Material: | Copper |
| Issued By: | Sir George Shenton - Perth City Council, Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 1900 Named on medal |
| Mint: | Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1900 |
| Person Depicted: | Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, 1900 |
| References: | Not listed by Carlisle but see 1899-00/21 for similar medal from Deniliquin |
| Bibliography: |
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Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
- George McArthur, Collector & Baker (1842-1903)
- Public Life & Institutions Collection
- George Shenton, Mayor, City of Perth, Western Australia (1844-1909)
- Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, Colonel & Scouting Founder (1857-1941)
- Stokes & Son, Medal Makers, Melbourne, Victoria & Sydney, New South Wales
- Boer War, South Africa, 1899-1902
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