'Scarce' King Edward VII Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal in Tamworth military auction

Sale date Monday 21st May

A ‘SCARCE’ military medal for long service and good conduct goes under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers at The Tamworth Auction Rooms on Thursday, May 21.

The King Edward VII Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal was only issued for four years during the early 1900s, with 1,674 medals awarded to soldiers in more than 50 different Yeomanry regiments – voluntary cavalry units.

The example in a dedicated Military Sale on May 21 is named to Staff Sergeant Major F Cramp of Prince Albert's Own Leicestershire Yeomanry.

Struck in silver and in good condition with original light-yellow ribbon, the medal is estimated at £300 to £400.

Authorised by King Edward VII in 1904, and with an initial batch of 951 awards announced in early 1905, the Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal was awarded to troopers and non-commissioned officers in the Imperial Yeomanry for 10 years’ service and attending 10 annual camps.

Issued with the recipient's name, rank and unit impressed on the rim, the obverse of the medal depicts the bust of King Edward VII in uniform facing left, with the reverse bearing the words ‘Imperial Yeomanry For Long Service And Good Conduct’.

“Relatively few of these medals were awarded and they rarely come on the market,” said Jeff Clark, militaria specialist at Richard Winterton Auctioneers.

“It was a somewhat short-lived award – in 1908, the medal was superseded by the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal when the Imperial Yeomanry and Volunteer Force were transferred to the newly created Territorial Force.

“This is a good example of a scarce medal from the time of King Edward VII and will doubtless be of great interest to collectors.”

The medal goes under the hammer at The Tamworth Auction Rooms on Thursday, May 21, with the sale starting at 9.30am.

Comprising 220 lots, the auction also features medals groups, including the archive of a soldier who served during the First Boer War and World War One, plus militaria such as uniforms, hats and swords.

On the day of the auction, people can bid online, in the room or by prior arranged telephone bid.

The catalogue goes live online a week before the sale date via our Auction Calendar and viewing in person at the saleroom in Church Street takes place on Wednesday, May 20, between 10am and 4pm.

For more information or to book a free valuation of all types of medals and militaria with Jeff Clark, call 01827 217746 or email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk.

Free valuations and home visits for large collections and house clearances are also available.