| African Distinguished Conduct Medal | |
|---|---|
  Obverse and reverse of the medal | |
| Type | Bravery decoration |
| Awarded for | Bravery in the field |
| Country |  British Empire |
| Presented by | theSecretary of State for the Colonies |
| Eligibility | African NCOs and soldiers of the KAR and RWAFF |
| Status | Replaced by award of theDistinguished Conduct Medal in 1942 |
| Established | 1903[1] |
 Ribbon of all versions of the medal | |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | King’s Fire Service Medal, for Gallantry[2] |
| Next (lower) | Indian Distinguished Service Medal[2] |
TheAfrican Distinguished Conduct Medal was a military decoration awarded to native soldiers of theRoyal West African Frontier Force and theKing's African Rifles for gallantry in action. Sometimes known as theRoyal West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal orKing's African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal, it could also be awarded to theSomaliland Camel Corps and the Nyasaland Regiment.[3]
The medal was awarded until 1942 when it was replaced by the ImperialDistinguished Conduct Medal.[4]
From, the 1870s, a number of awards of the ImperialDistinguished Conduct Medal were made to soldiers of native African regiments, before the creation of the African Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1903.[1]
At least 412 medals were awarded:[4]
Awards of the medal were normallygazetted in the appropriatecolonial gazette,[5] with pre-1914 awards appearing in theLondon Gazette.[6]
The African Distinguished Conduct Medal was a circular silver disc, 36 mm (1.4 in) in diameter, with the following design:[4]
Obverse: the effigy of the reigning sovereign.
Reverse: the inscription in four linesFOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD. Around the top edge was inscribed eitherKING'S AFRICAN RIFLES,WEST AFRICAN FRONTIER FORCE, orROYAL WEST AFRICAN FRONTIER FORCE (after 1928).
Ribbon: 31.7 mm (1.25 in) wide, it is dark blue with a central green stripe, flanked by crimson stripes.
Naming: the recipient's name and details were engraved or impressed on the rim.