Posted 7 years ago
BlackWatch
(65 items)
A very nice Efficiency Medal circa 1930-35 to the Winnipeg Rifles. It is named to a bugler of the regiment, "Bugler E. Hanlon, Winn. Rif." To the front of the medal is King George V, and to the back it reads "FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE". One clasp for 6 more years of efficient service.
Efficiency Medals were to award to part-time warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men after twelve years of efficient service on the active list of the Militia or the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom, or of the other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the British Empire, including the Canadian militia. One clasp was awarded for an additional 6 years of efficient service, in the case of this medal, the "Canada" clasp.
The Efficiency Medal was instituted in 1930, and the Winnipeg Rifles got their royal designation (Royal Winnipeg Rifles thereafter) in 1935, so this has to be circa 1930-35. King George V Efficiency Medals were only made until his death in 1936.
In the British Commonwealth, the Efficiency Medal was gradually superseded by local medals in some member countries, in Canada by the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1951, in the Union of South Africa by the John Chard Medal in 1952 and in Australia by the Reserve Force Medal in 1982. In the United Kingdom the medal was superseded by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 1999.
New Zealand still awards the Efficiency Medal today, and is one of few countries to still do so.
Overall a nice and rare efficiency medal to the Winnipeg Rifles. It looks well aged but is still in good condition. I haven't seen another Efficiency Medal for sale to the Winnipeg Rifles, never mind a King George V medal to a Bugler in the regiment.
Very cool piece. Never new buglers were specifically identified. Do they do this with other instruments?
Hey Caperkid,
Thanks for the comment as always. On most medals I don't think they would have been specifically identified - although I'm not sure. Let's say there was a Drummer in the Seaforth Highlanders (just an example regiment) and he had earned WWI War and Victory Medals, I think that the Drummer Jim would just have his rank (e.g Lance Corporal) pressed into the medal, and wouldn't say specifically "Drummer Jim Seaforth Highlanders", but rather "Lance-Corporal Jim Seaforth Highlanders". Although, again I am not sure. Interesting that this one is named to a bugler, I don't know a whole ton about efficiency medals, as this is the first and only one I have so far, because it is for efficient service and not a military campaign, perhaps the how the musician/soldier was named on the medal is a little different. The time period of the medals could also have something to do with it, although I have no idea. I shall look into this more and see if I find out anything new or interesting.
Best regards,
-Jamie