Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902, with five clasps: 'Tugela Heights', 'Orange Free State', 'Relief of Ladysmith', 'Transvaal' and 'Laing's Nek', awarded to 'Jimson' the mule

Circular, silver campaign medal with, on the obverse, a profile head of Queen Victoria with the inscription, 'Victoria Regina et Imperatrix' (Victoria, Queen and Empress). 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 medal is suspended on a red, yellow and dark blue ribbon, with five clasps, 'Tugela Heights', 'Orange Free State', 'Relief of Ladysmith', 'Transvaal' and 'Laing's Nek'.

'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 medal is not inscribed with 'Jimson's' name. It is likely to have been obtained for him by the Middlesex Regiment or may have even belonged to a soldier who was very fond of him.

The Queen's South Africa Medal was awarded to soldiers who served during the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902. Twenty-six clasps were awarded with this medal, indicating each action and state campaign of the conflict.