South Africa Campaign Medal 1853

Obverse: Head of Queen Victoria with a diadem, hair tied in a knot (left). Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA'. Reverse: a lion crouching to drink, a bush behind. Legend: 'SOUTH AFRICA'. Exergue: '1853'. Inscription on edge: 'J.S.WATTS, H.M.S. DEE. 1848-52'. Suspended from a cusped bar and watered silk buff ribbon with two broad blue stripes near the edge and two narrow blue inner ones. Mounted on a brooch bar with MED1093.

Captain James Samuel Watts (1830-1908) became a Master's Assistant about 1848; he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Master in 1854; to Master in 1859; to Staff Commander in 1870; to Staff Captain in 1882; he retired as a Captain in 1890 and died in 1908. As Master's Assistant he served in the 'Dee' on the East Coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave trade and was present at the Angoxa River in 1849. He also served in the 'Antelope' for the suppression of the slave trade on the West Africa Coast. He was Master of the 'Ringdove' during the China War and Master of the 'Bombay' and is mentioned in despatches when that ship was destroyed by fire in 1864. He was Staff Commander of the Royal Yacht 'Victoria and Albert' between 1877-1882. He was also a Nautical Assessor to the Lords of Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.