Java Medal 1811

Silver, circular medal with, on the obverse, the storming of Fort Cornelis in Java, and the inscription, 'Cornelis'. On the reverse, a Persian inscription extolling the bravery and courage exhibited by the sepoys of the East India Company, and the English inscription, 'Java Conquered XXVI August MDCCCXI'.

During the Napoleonic Wars, France took over Dutch overseas possessions in the East Indies but these strongholds became increasingly vulnerable as the Royal Navy secured control over the high seas. Java offered a rich target and the prospect of significant prize money. Eager to make a name for himself as conqueror of the East, Lord Minto, Governor-General of India, accepted and announced that he would accompany the expedition in person.

On 4 August 1811 British forces landed near the undefended village of Chillingching and, following the capture of the island's capital, Batavia (Jakarta), siege of the island's strongpoint of Fort Cornelis commenced on 14 August. At dawn on 26 August, Gillespie's men broke through French defences and took two redoubts before the general collapsed with fever. Regaining consciousness, Gillespie continued his attack, capturing a third redoubt and subduing resistance by the French general, Jauffret, whom he took prisoner. Panic spread amongst the defenders, leading to the quick surrender of the fort.

The medal was authorised by Lord Minto and produced by the Calcutta Mint in gold and silver. It was issued unnamed to 5,761 Indian soldiers as well as to about 750 Europeans. Only those in the service of the East India Company were allowed to wear these medals; other participants had to wait 35 years for bars to be added to their Military and Naval General Service Medals.