King's South Africa Medal 1901-02, with 2 clasps, 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902', awarded to General Sir Cecil Macready

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'.

General Sir Cecil Frederick Nevill 'Make-Ready' Macready was born on 7 May 1862. The son of an actor, he was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders in 1881. He served in the Egyptian War of 1882, staying on with the military police in Alexandria until 1889. Macready was promoted to major in 1899 and served with the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902). A series of staff posts followed and Macready was involved in the formation of the Territorial Force and military aid to the civil power operations including the employment of soldiers during labour disputes and the deployment of troops to Ireland during World War One (194-1918). From 1920, through the closing stages of the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Irish Civil War, Macready held the post of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland.

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.

From a group of orders and medals awarded to General Sir C F N Macready (1862-1946), Gordon Highlanders, Adjutant General to the British Forces and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Ireland, 1920-1922.