Fiji Labour Contingent Loyalty Cross, 1915, presented to C Sage

Gilt metal medal in the form of a Maltese Cross, with on the obverse, the number, '22', above the word, 'Loyalty', with the date, '1915' below. On the reverse, the inscription 'Presented to C. Sage [within a cartouche] by F.L.C'.

During World War One (1914-1918), the first Fijian Contingent was composed entirely of British citizens from Fiji and arrived on the Western Front in 1915. The first indigenous people were only accepted in 1917 (serving in the Fijian Labour Corps) as the British Government were concerned about the rapid decline in the indigenous population of Fiji as a result of 'minor European illnesses' which had been introduced by immigration.

The Fijian Labour Corps were reportedly a striking sight on the Western Front in their traditional sula uniform and with their large muscular build. A total of 1,255 people from Fiji and the surrounding islands served during the World War One; 173 lost their lives.