The Ceylon Volunteer Service Medal (sometimes referred to as the Government of Ceylon War Medal) is a non-wearable campaign medal awarded by the Government of Ceylon to all members of the Ceylonese armed forces that volunteered for overseas service during World War I.[1][2] The exact number of medals struck is disputed, with sources citing numbers between 450[1] and 3000.[3] The medal was the only one of its kind, Ceylon being the only British crown colony to issue a medal of its own for its citizens' service in the war.[1][3] Those awarded the medal were servicemen of the Ceylon Defence Force (including the all-European Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps).[4]
| Ceylon Volunteer Service Medal | |
|---|---|
 Obverse (left), reverse (right) | |
| Type | Non-wearable campaign medal |
| Presented by | .svg){kind=small} Ceylon |
| Eligibility | All overseas combatants from Ceylon |
| Campaign(s) | World War I |
| Total | ~3000 |
Design
editThe medal was cast in bronze, having dimensions of 45 x 52 x 3 mm.[5] The obverse depicts the personification of Ceylon- a seated, right-facing robed and laureate female figure placing, with her right hand, a laurel wreath crown on the bowed head of a left-facing soldier kneeling on his left knee.[5] The soldier rests his cap on the ground with his right hand, while the background depicts a multi-rayed sun setting into the sea behind them.[5] An inscription above the scene reads:[5]
..PRESENTED..
BY THE GOVERNMENT
OF CEYLON TO THOSE WHO
VOLUNTARILY GAVE THEIR
SERVICES OVERSEAS IN
THE GREAT WAR OF –
1914
1919
Above the words is a short piece of laurel wreath, bound.[5]
The reverse depicts a front-facing illustration of Victory- a winged, robed and laureate female figure seated on a throne.[5] Her right hand is raised aloft, holding a laurel wreath, while her left holds a shield emblazoned with the coat of arms of Ceylon.[5] A plaque inscribed with the recipient's name is located at the figure's feet, above a skull and spiked helmet obscuring a horizontal scythe.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Smith, Neil C. (2014). The Empire's Other Anzacs - The Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps. Brighton, Victoria: Mostly Unsung Military History Research and Publications. ISBN 9781876179892.
- ^ "Ceylon WW1 Volunteer Service Medal 1914-19". jbmilitaryantiques.com.au. JB Military Antiques. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b "WW1 Ceylon Volunteer Service Medal". Gentleman's Military Interest Club. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ "Forgotten campaign, forgotten veterans". sundaytimes.lk. Sunday Times. 5 November 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Government of Ceylon War Medal 1914-1919". iwm.org.uk. Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 6 May 2018.