Abyssinian War Medal
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The Abyssinian War Medal was awarded for service between 4 October 1867 and 19 April 1868[1] to those who participated in the 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia. This punitive expedition, led by Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, was carried out by the armed forces of the British Empire against the Ethiopian Empire. Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia imprisoned several missionaries and two representatives of the British government.[2] The punitive expedition launched by the British in response required transporting a sizable military force hundreds of miles across mountainous terrain lacking any road system.
Abyssinian War Medal | |
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Type | Campaign medal |
Awarded for | Campaign Service |
Presented by | the United Kingdom |
Eligibility | British and Indian Army |
Campaign(s) | 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia |
Established | 1 March 1869 |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | New Zealand Medal |
Next (lower) | Canada General Service Medal |
About 14,000 medals were awarded, 12,000 to the British and Indian armies and 1,981 to the Royal Navy. In addition to members of the Naval Brigade which accompanied the expedition, awards were made to the crews of the ships on duty off the Ethiopian coast during the campaign.[3]