Circular silver medal with scroll and laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with the crowned head of King George VI facing left, circumscribed ‘GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP:’ (George VI by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and Emperor of India), signed ‘PM’ (for the sculptor Percy Metcalfe, CVO, RDI, 1895-1970); the reverse with a labourer resting from his toils, seated on a stone bench, the radiant sun rising over a landscape beyond, inscribed ‘FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE’ below; attributed on the edge to ‘JOHN CHARLES KENDALL’; on original ribbon; in original fitted case of issue. The medal was instituted in August 1902 to recognise long and meritorious service by administrative and clerical Civil Service staff throughout the Empire and was awarded to staff who had completed at least 25 years’ service on retirement. This exceptionally good example is of the first King George VI version, dating from the period before the independence of India.
|