Army Temperance Association Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal 1897, awarded to Colour Sergeant J H Smith, Royal Munster Fusiliers

Circular silver medal with, on the obverse, a portrait bust of Queen Victoria, with the inscription, 'In Commemoration 1837 - 1897'; on the reverse, the association's monogram 'ATA' within a beaded circle. The medal is suspended from a red, white and blue striped ribbon.

From the 1850s regimental and garrison temperance associations had been established to combat high rates of drunkenness and to encourage and reward temperance towards alcohol. The Soldiers' Total Abstinence Association (STAA) was founded in 1862 by the Reverend John Gelson Gregson, in and attempt to amalgamate the many military temperance societies set up in British India. The STAA was a success and gained official approval in 1876 with a government financial grant. The intervention of Lord Roberts, Commander in Chief in India, led to the association being replaced in 1888 with the Army Temperance Association, India. A Home branch was formed in 1893 and in 1902 the Association was granted its 'Royal' prefix by King Edward VII.

This medal was issued to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.

From a medal group awarded to Colour Sergeant J H Smith, Royal Munster Fusiliers.