History

The Africa General Service Medal was instituted by King Edward VII, King of England, in 1902 to replace the East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900). The Africa General Service Medal was the longest running British service medal, being awarded to British and colonial forces in commemoration of minor campaigns in Africa between 1902 and 1956. The Medal was seldom awarded to European troops and most often awarded to local forces and detached officers. Combatants were the recipients of Silver Medals, while a few Bronze Medals were issued to troops involved in operations in North Nigeria between 1903 and 1904, campaigns in Somaliland between 1902 and 1908, and to transport personnel.

There are 45 possible clasps that are authorized for wear with the Africa General Service Medal. The following 34 were issued during the reign of King Edward VII:

1. “N. NIGERIA”
2. “N. NIGERIA 1902”
3. “N. NIGERIA 1903”
4. “N.NIGERIA 1903-04”
5. “N.NIGERIA 1904”
6. “N.NIGERIA 1906”
7. “S.NIGERIA”
8. “S.NIGERIA 1902”
9. “S.NIGERIA 1902-03”
10. “S.NIGERIA 1903”
11. “S.NIGERIA 1903-04”
12. “S.NIGERIA 1904”
13. “S. NIGERIA 1904-05”
14. “S. NIGERIA 1905”
15. “S. NIGERIA 1905-06”
16. “EAST AFRICA 1902”
17. “EAST AFRICA 1904”
18. “EAST AFRICA 1905”
19. “EAST AFRICA 1906”
20. “WEST AFRICA 1906”
21. “WEST AFRICA 1908”
22. “WEST AFRICA 1909-10”
23. “SOMALILAND 1901”
24. “SOMALILAND 1902-04”
25. “SOMALILAND 1908-10”
26. “JIDBALLI”
27. “UGANDA 1900”
28. “B.C.A. 1899-1900”
29. “JUBALAND”
30. “GAMBIA”
31. “ARO 1901-1902”
32. “LANGO 1901”
33. “KISSI 1905”
34. “NANDI 1905-06”

The following 10 clasps were issued during the reign of George V:

35. "EAST AFRICA 1913"
36. "EAST AFRICA 1913-14"
37. "EAST AFRICA 1914"
38. “SHIMBER BERRIS 1914-15”
39. “NYASALAND 1915”
40. "EAST AFRICA 1915"
41. “JUBALAND 1917-18"
42. "EAST AFRICA 1918"
43. "NIGERIA 1918"
44. "SOMALILAND 1920"

Only 1 clasp, “KENYA”, was issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. There are 3 versions of the Silver Medal which differ by reigning Monarch.

A variety of differing naming styles were used.