SOUTH AFRICAN WAR—THE COLONIAL TROOPS AND WAR MEDALS. (Hansard, 26 July 1900)

§ EARL CARRINGTON
My Lords, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is any truth in a rumour which has been widely circulated that a separate war medal or war decoration will be issued to Her Majesty's Colonial troops, or whether the Colonial troops will receive the war medal issued to British troops, and a fair proportion of all honours, distinctions, and rewards which will be granted to Her Majesty's troops raised in Great Britain and Ireland.

§ * THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE
My Lords, there is no truth in the rumour that a separate war medal or decoration is likely to be bestowed upon Her Majesty's Colonial troops. The Colonial forces will receive the South African Medal, which will be bestowed upon the whole of the troops, British and Colonial, and it will be a medal of the shape and form usual in such cases. With regard to the other part of the question, I think the noble Lord may rest assured that a fair proportion of all honours, distinctions, and awards which may be granted to Her Majesty's forces will fall to the share of the Colonial troops, who have behaved 1290 with so much credit to themselves during the present campaign. I cannot undertake to discuss what the proportion will be, but my noble friend need have no uneasiness on that subject.

LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYAL
I am sure the answer of the noble Marquess will give great satisfaction not only in the Colonies but throughout the mother country. I would suggest that the more promptly the medals can be given after the conclusion of the war the better they will be appreciated. Medals have been given within the last three or four months for services rendered thirty and thirty-four years ago. It would naturally have been more satisfactory to all those who were entitled to receive these medals, many of whom have died in the meantime, if they had been given within a reasonable time. I have no doubt that it will be otherwise in the present case.