Royal Army Temperance Association Medal, seven years of abstinence, awarded to Colour Sergeant J H Smith, Royal Munster Fusiliers, 1903 (c)

Silver medal in the form of a cross pattee with, on the obverse, a central circle with the Royal Army Temperance Association monogram, 'RATA'. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with a vertical red stripe in the centre, flanked by thin white and thicker dark blue vertical stripes.

From the 1850s regimental and garrison temperance associations had been established to combat high rates of drunkenness and to encourage and reward temperance towards alcohol. The Soldiers' Total Abstinence Association (STAA) was founded in 1862 by the Reverend John Gelson Gregson, in and attempt to amalgamate the many military temperance societies set up in British India. The STAA was a success and gained official approval in 1876 with a government financial grant. The intervention of Lord Roberts, Commander in Chief in India, led to the association being replaced in 1888 with the Army Temperance Association, India. A Home branch was formed in 1893 and in 1902 the Association was granted its 'Royal' prefix by King Edward VII.

One of the rewards the Association provided to its members were medals that recognised their commitment to temperance. Some medals continued to be issued after organisational name changes were made as updated replacements were not always immediately available. This medal was awarded for seven years of abstinence from alcohol.

This medal is believed to have been issued at home and in India, replacing the medal known as the 'Havelock Cross', versions of which were issued by the Soldiers' Total Abstinence Association and the Army Temperance Association, India.

From a medal group awarded to Colour Sergeant J H Smith, Royal Munster Fusiliers.