The British expedition to the Crimea landed in September 1854, and stormed the Alma four days later. The allies set up camp at Balaclava; nearby, in October, occured the famous Charge of the Light Brigade, the Charge of the Heavy Brigade, and the famous defensive action by the 93rd Highlanders. In November, a hard-fought battle occured at Inkermann; after that, the war settled down to a long siege of Sebastopol.

The campaign medal was issued with clasps for the Alma, Balaclava, Inkermann, and Sebastopol actions. Many British soldiers also were awarded (by the Sultan) the Turkish Crimea Medal, with a crimson and green ribbon.

The Indian Mutiny (1857-59)

The well-known Great Mutiny. One of the causes in popular belief is that the native regiments were issued musket ammunition lubricated with beef and pork fat -- causing a "loss of caste" to both Moslems and Hindus. The actual causes were complex and shrouded by legend, but the main cause was the continuing spread of British control over northern India, in particular the annexation of Oudh in 1856. The revolt began in May 1857; after several massacres of Europeans, particularly at Cawnpore and Delhi, the bebellion was put down without mercy. Most famously, the garrison at Lucknow held out for many months under siege; the defenders of Lucknow included men from the 5th (Northumberland Fusiliers), 32nd (Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry), 64th (North Staffordshire), 78th, 84th, and 90th infantry, plus the 1st Madras European Fusiliers. The 9th Lancers made quite a name for themselves, many members winning four clasps on their Mutiny medal.

Much of the British Army fought in the Mutiny, and all of the loyal Indian units. The Indian Mutiny Medal has a white ribbon with two red stripes; five clasps were issued: Delhi, Lucknow, Defence of Lucknow, Relief of Lucknow, and Central India (which actually covers much of the war).

Second China War (1857-58)

Another of the Opium Wars. In this case, the ill-treatment of the crew of the ship Arrow by Chinese authorities was the proximate cause of the war. Canton was beseiged and captured in early 1858, and a peace treaty followed soon after. From the British Army, only the 59th infantry regiment took part in the war, plus Royal Marines, Royal Marine Artillery, Royal Artillery, and Royal Engineers.

A clasp, "Canton," was issued for the China War Medal, which has a red ribbon with yellow edges.

Third China War (1860)

Further adventures in the Opium Wars; the specific cause was the Chinese firing on a vessel carrying British envoys. After taking the Taku Forts in August 1860, the British moved on to loot Pekin in November. The British cavalry was notably successful in routing Tartar horsemen, despite the Tartar habit of shooting from horseback.

British units at the attack on the Taku Forts included the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, and the 1st (Royal Scots), 2nd (Queen's Royal West Surrey), 3rd (Buffs), 31st (East Surrey), 44th (Essex), 60th (KRRC), and 67th infantry regiments. At Pekin, all the above units were present, plus the 99th infantry regiment; some units of the Military Train were employed as cavalry on the approach to Pekin. Of course, the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers were present. The Royal Marines, and the Royal Marine Artillery, also took part in the campaign.

Separate dated clasps for the Taku Forts and the taking of Pekin were issued for the China War Medal, which has a red ribbon with yellow edges.

Northwest Frontier - Sittana (1858)

Another obscure skirmish with the wild tribesmen on India's borders. The 71st (Highland Light Infantry) and 98th infantry regiments took part.

A clasp named "North West Frontier" is issued for the India General Service Medal (ribbon red with two dark blue stripes).

Second Maori War (1860)

Further clashes between European colonists and the Maori natives of New Zealand broke out into warfare. Britain sent regiments as follows: 12th (Suffolk), 14th (West Yorkshire), 40th (South Lancashire), 57th (Middlesex), and 65th (York and Lancaster) infantry, along with the Royal Marines, Royal Engineers, and Royal Artillery.

The ribbon for the medal "New Zealand" awarded for the campaign is blue, with a central orange-red stripe. The reverse shows the dates the recipient served in the country.

Sikkim Expedition to NE India (1861)

A minor punitive expedition. The 6th (Royal Warwickshire) regiment was the only British unit involved. No medal or clasp was issued.

Northwest Frontier - Umbeyla Expedition (1863-64)

Merely a larger than usual campaign on the Frontier. The British forces sent to remove the Pathans from the passes were beleaguered for several weeks while waiting for reinforcements. Much of the fighting was in defence of hill-top pickets, held by a company against massed swordsmen supported by accurate matchlock fire. Eventually the campaign was brought to a close by a formal two-brigade attack on a strongly held mountain, Umbeyla.

At the battle of Shabkadr, the tribesmen were enticed from their heights on to a plain, and then successfully charged three times by British cavalry, and routed by the infantry.

Regiments participating included the 7th (Royal Fusiliers), 71st (Highland Light Infantry), 93rd, and 101st (Royal Munster Fusiliers, formerly the 1st Regiment of European Bengal Fusiliers) infantry at Umbela; at Shabkadr, the 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars, Royal Horse Artillery, 79th (Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders) infantry, and the Rifle Brigade all took part. The Royal Artillery was there, too.

No specific medal was issued for this campaign; a clasp "Umbeyla" is issued for the India General Service Medal (ribbon red with two dark blue stripes).

Japan Expedition (1864)

The daimyo of the Choshu clan in Japan advocated expelling all foreigners from that country. His forces began attacking European vessels in 1863; in retaliation, American, French, Dutch and British vessels fired back. By September 1864, an international squadron had been formed, and the European powers quickly destroyed the Choshu clan's ships and forts. A treaty was signed with the Japanese government, barring fortification of the Straits of Shimonoseki, and providing a large indemnity to the injured Europeans. The last dragon emperor was deposed soon after, and the Meiji era began.

Several European regiments were present at the final battles, although little fighting took place on land. From Britain, the 20th and 67th infanty regiments were present, as well as the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Royal Marines. No campaign medal was issued.

Bhutan Campaign (1865-66)

After the occupation of Assam by the British in 1826, a long-running border dispute began with the kingdom of Bhutan to the north. In the early 1860s, the Bhutanese took strategic frontier passes (duars) from the Assamese, and ignored British protests. In January 1865, a small force from the Indian Army invaded, but was repelled; the Bhutanese evicted the British garrison at Dewangiri. A punitive expedition was formed, led by Sir Henry Tombs, and gradually suppressed the Bhutanese. By the treaty of Sinchula, Bhutan ceded the passes, and Britain paid an annual subsidy.

Regiments receiving honours were the 55th and 80th infantry, plus as usual the Royal Artillery.

No specific medal was issued for this campaign; a clasp "Bhootan" is issued for the India General Service Medal (ribbon red with two dark blue stripes).

South Arabian Expedition (1865-66)

The 109th infantry regiment (formerly the 3rd Bombay European Fusiliers) was sent to Aden for some reason. Aden has been controlled by Britain since 1839. No campaign medal was struck.

Third Maori War (1863-66)

The Maoris proved to be a formidable enemy, with their knowledge of the brush and their well-fortified "pahs." British and Colonial casualties in this campaign were quite heavy, and did not always lead to victory. The action at Gate Pah (April 1864) was an unusual example of British troops breaking before natives. Throughout the campaign, the British commanders underestimated the enemy, ordered costly frontal assaults on fortified positions, and failed to block escape routes. A General Cameron was apparently the overall commander.

The regiments which received campaign honours in New Zealand during this campaign were the 12th (Suffolk), 14th (West Yorkshire), 18th (Royal Irish), 40th (South Lancashire), 43rd (Oxford Light Infantry), 50th (Royal West Kent), 68th (Durham Light Infantry), and 70th infantry, plus the Royal Marine Light Infantry. The Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and the Military Train also served valiantly in combat, but these organizations do not receive individual battle honours.

As no cavalry regiments had been sent, and the yeomanry were still being trained, the mounted elements of the Military Train operated as cavalry; most notably in 1865 at Nukumaru. A cavalry troop was also formed from C/4 Battery RA, which was even called upon to assault dismounted with swords and revolvers at Rangariri Pah. One of the later actions was the storming of the Gate Pah, on April 29th, 1865.

The ribbon for the medal "New Zealand" awarded for the campaign is blue, with a central orange-red stripe. The reverse shows the dates the recipient served in the country.

North-West Frontier - Black Mountain Troubles (1867-68)

Tribal revolts, etc. on the Frontier. No major battles were fought, but frequent skirmishes and confrontations.

Regiments receiving honours during this campaign were the 20th Hussars, 6th (Royal Warwickshire), 19th (Yorkshire), 38th (South Staffordshire), and 77th infantry regiments, plus the Royal Artillery.

No specific medal was issued for this campaign; a clasp "Looshai" is issued for the India General Service Medal (ribbon red with two dark blue stripes) to participants in this campaign.

Abyssinian War (1867-68)

"Mad" Emperor Theodore II of Abyssinia had taken a number of foreign (i.e., European) missionaries and envoys hostage at his court, for rather slight reasons. He would not release them, and relied upon the natural strength of his fortress, Magdala, armed with some primitive guns, to hold off the British.

The British landed an army (the Punitive Expedition) 13,000 strong under General Lord Robert Napier (of the Indian Army) at Zula on the Red Sea coast, and proceeded inland. Beginning in January 1868, his troops marched 400 miles across a baking hot, arid plain, into a region of high mesas (called "ambas"), atop which the Abyssinians built their towns and forts. In this region, the weather ranged daily from burning sunshine to raging snow- and thunderstorms.

Imperial Regiments receiving honours include the 4th (Buffs), 26th (Scottish Rifles), 33rd (West Riding), and 45th (Sherwood Foresters) infantry, and the 3rd (Prince of Wales') Dragoon Guards. Again, the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Royal Navy (in the form of a 100 man Rocket Brigade) were very much present, but were not awarded honours. Many Indian Army regiments were also sent, mostly from the Madras Army.

The cavalry provided patrols, escorts, messengers, and road-guards in the form of small roving detachment. Artillery carried by elephants was used to reduce some of the smaller forts; this campaign saw the introduction of the useful 7-pounder rifled breech-loading cannon.

By April, the British had reached the plain below Magdala. After a spectacular battle on the plain, the British forced their way up the long narrow track winding up the amba (under covering fire from naval rockets), and broke through the well defended gateway at the top. Theodore killed himself at the gate, rather than be taken prisoner, and the hostages were rescued.

While the campaign was very well organized, a plan to build a railway from the Red Sea port of Zula 300 miles into the interior went awry: they were supplied with five different types of rail and six ancient locomotives, all bought second-hand from Indian railways. Two of the engines were quite useless, and two broke down in a fortnight. All spare parts had, of course, been left on the dockside in Bombay together with the augers for boring spike-holes in sleepers.

The ribbon of the medal "Abyssinia" awarded for the campaign is red with white edges.