King's South Africa Medal 1901-02, awarded to Superintending Nursing Sister Joan Gray, Army Medical Service

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.

During the Boer War (1899-1902) 22,000 troops were wounded. A further 74,000 were treated for diseases like typhoid and dysentery. As well as battalion medical officers to treat casualties in the field, the newly-formed Royal Army Medical Corps (established in 1898) preserved the lives of many. In addition to Army field ambulances and hospitals, voluntary organisations set up hospitals, first-aid posts and medical units. Military medicine made considerable advances during the 19th century. The women of the Army Nursing Service, assisted by volunteers, usually worked in hospitals. Gray was mentioned in dispatches on two occasions during the Boer War.

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 medal group including, Royal Red Cross, 1st Class, 1883, South Africa Medal for Zulu and Basuto Wars 1877-79, Egyptian Campaigns Medal 1882-89, Ashanti Star 1896, Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 and Khedive's Egyptian Star 1882-91.