King's South Africa Medal 1901-02, with 2 clasps: 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902', awarded to 'Jimson' the mule

Circular, silver campaign medal with, on the obverse, a profile head of King Edward VII with the Latin inscription, 'Edwardvs VII Rex Imperator' (Edward VII King Emperor). On the reverse, the figure of Britannia holding a Union Flag and laurel wreath, the words 'South Africa', marching troops and warships in the background. The recipient's name and unit is impressed on the rim. The medal is suspended on an orange, white and green striped ribbon with two clasps: 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902'.

'Jimson' was the mascot of the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Although there are a small number of horses known to have been given campaign medals for their war services, 'Jimson' is the only mule known to have had such an award. However, medals were never formally awarded to animals by the Army and this one is not inscribed with 'Jimson's' name. It is likely to have been obtained for him by the Middlesex Regiment or even from a soldier who was very fond of him.

The King's South Africa Medal was a campaign medal awarded to British and colonial service personnel who served in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa, from 1 January 1902 and who had completed 18 months of service in the conflict before 1 June 1902.