page_title: Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: The King Edward VII version of the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies with a single-toe claw suspender mount
context_page_description: The Volunteer Long Service Medal was instituted in 1894 as an award for long service by other ranks and some officers of the United Kingdom's Volunteer Force. In 1896, the grant of the medal was extended to other ranks and officers who had served in the ranks of the Volunteer Forces throughout the British Empire. A separate new medal was instituted, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies. Awarding of this medal was discontinued in stages when it was superseded in most territories by the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in 1899 and in the remainder by the Efficiency Medal in 1930.
context_section_description: The medal was struck in silver and is a disk, 1.45 inches (37 millimetres) in diameter, with a raised rim on each side. It is suspended from a straight swivelling silver bar, affixed to the medal by means of a claw and a pin through the upper edge of the medal.
  Obverse
  The obverse of the medal depicts the reigning monarch. Three obverse versions of the medal were struck.
  The original version of 1896, created by George William de Saulles, shows the effigy of Queen Victoria wearing the Crown, a veil and the Star of the Order of the Garter. The effigy is circumscribed "VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX" (Victoria, Queen and Empress). This version's suspender is affixed to the medal by means of a double-toe claw. Some Queen Victoria medals were awarded up to July 1902, post-dating her death.
  The King Edward VII version, introduced after his succession to the throne in 1901, displays his effigy in Field Marshal's uniform. The effigy, also created by De Saulles, is circumscribed "EDWARDVS VII KAISAR-I-HIND" (Edward VII, Emperor of India) in the Hindustani language. On this version the suspender is affixed to the medal by means of either the older double-toe or the later single-toe claw. Some King Edward VII medals were awarded up to April 1911, post-dating his death.
  The King George V version, introduced after his succession to the throne in 1910, shows the King in Field Marshal's uniform and is circumscribed "GEORGIVS V BRITT: OMN: REX ET IND: IMP:" (George V, King of Great Britain, Emperor of India). This version's suspender is affixed to the medal by means of the older double-toe claw.
  Reverse
  The reverse shows a palm and laurel wreath which supports a scrolled banner, bearing the inscription "FOR LONG SERVICE IN THE VOLUNTEER FORCE" in four lines.
  Ribbon
  The ribbon is the same as that of the Volunteer Long Service Medal, plain dark green and 1 ¹⁄₄ inches (32 millimetres) wide.
caption: King Edward VII single-toe claw version
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