South Africa Medal for Zulu and Basuto Wars 1877-79, awarded to Private L Hartigan, 2nd Battalion, 3rd (The East Kent) Regiment of Foot (The Buffs)

Silver campaign medal with the diademed head of Queen Victoria on the obverse with the inscription, 'Victoria Regina'. On the reverse a male lion in front of a protea bush above a trophy of arms with a Zulu shield and four crossed spears. The medal is suspended from a golden yellow ribbon with vertical blue stripes.

This medal was instituted in 1880 and was awarded to service personnel who participated in a number of campaigns in South Africa, including the Basuto Wars (1872-1878), the Griqualand West Rebellion (1878-1879),the Sekukuni Campaign (1878-1879) and, most notably, the Zulu War (1879).

From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.