Original British 1885 North West Canada Medal Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The North West Canada Medal is a British campaign medal issued to the soldiers, volunteers, and North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) personnel who participated in putting down the North-West Rebellion in 1885.

The medal is circular, silver and 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter. The obverse, designed by Leonard Charles Wyon, bears an effigy of Queen Victoria, facing left and wearing a diadem and veil. Around the edge is the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX” which translates to “ Victory Queen and Empress”. The reverse, designed by Thomas Brock, has the inscription “NORTH WEST 1885 CANADA” in three lines surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves.

The medal is suspended from a ribbon in light blue with scarlet red, which is correct for the medal. Medals were issued unnamed, although many recipients had their name and unit engraved on the rim. This one unfortunately is not named or engraved.

The overall condition of the medal and ribbon is incredible given how old the award is. There is no damage or staining to the ribbon and the medal only shows a minor amount of aged patina, still shining bright like it did all those years ago.

A welcome addition to any Pre WWI collection, especially Canadian related ones. Comes ready to display!

The medal was established by the Canadian government in September 1885 after consultation between the governor general of Canada and the British secretary of state for the colonies.

It was awarded to those who took part in the suppression of the North-West Rebellion of 1885 and who served west of Port Arthur, Ontario. Recipients included a number of volunteers, including the crew of the steamer Northcote for service at the Battle of Batoche, and members of the Prince Albert Volunteers for service at the Battle of Duck Lake. Initially, members of the NWMP were not eligible. However, a Canadian order in council of 13 December 1886 recommended that the NWMP receive the medal, this being accepted by the British government on 16 February 1887. A total of 920 medals were then awarded to the NWMP. No British Army units took part, although seventeen British Army officers were attached to Canadian units.

All those who received the medal, except for members of the NWMP, also received a grant of 320 acres (130 ha) of land, or scrip of $80 in lieu. During the 1930s, surviving NWMP recipients were each granted $300.

The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a rebellion by the Métis people under Louis Riel and an associated uprising by First Nations Cree and Assiniboine of the District of Saskatchewan against the Canadian government. Many Métis felt that Canada was not protecting their rights, their land, and their survival as a distinct people.

Riel had been invited to lead the movement of protest. He turned it into a military action with a heavily religious tone. That alienated Catholic clergy, whites, most Indigenous tribes, and some Métis, but he had the allegiance of 200 armed Métis, a smaller number of other Indigenous warriors, and at least one white man at Batoche in May 1885, who confronted 900 Canadian militia and some armed local residents. About 91 people would die in the fighting that occurred that spring before the rebellion’s collapse.

Despite some notable early victories at Duck Lake, Fish Creek, and Cut Knife, the rebellion was quashed when overwhelming government forces and a critical shortage of supplies brought about the Métis’ defeat in the four-day Battle of Batoche. The remaining Aboriginal allies scattered. Several chiefs were captured, and some served prison time. Eight men were hanged in Canada’s largest mass hanging, for murders performed outside the military conflict.

Riel was captured, put on trial, and convicted of treason. Despite many pleas across Canada for clemency, he was hanged. Riel became a heroic martyr to Francophone Canada. That was one cause for the rise of ethnic tensions into a deep division, whose repercussions continue to be felt. The rebellion’s suppression contributed to the present reality of the Prairie Provinces being controlled by English speakers, who allowed only a very limited francophone presence, and helped cause the alienation of French Canadians, who were embittered by the repression of their countrymen. The key role that the Canadian Pacific Railway played in transporting troops caused support by the Conservative government to increase, and Parliament authorized funds to complete the country’s first transcontinental railway.