Boer War: 1900 "MAJUBA WIPED OUT" Enamelled Silver Medal * RARE *

From the Boer War, a RARE Small Enamelled Silver Medal “MAJUBA WIPED OUT”. Produced after the Battle of Paardeberg in 1900. References: Anna Smith, Commemorative Medals of the Z.A.R. No. 29; Hern, Medallions of the Z.A.R and the Anglo-Boer War, No. 74 (Cat. Val. R6,500).

The front has the word: “MAJUBA” in tall white enamelled letters. Crossing this are three horizontal red enamelled bars. The central bar is thicker and within it has: “WIPED OUT” in white letters. In blue enamel above: “1881” and below: “1900”.

On the back there is a silver Hallmark for Chester 1900 and the maker’s mark: “J.M.B” for John Millward Banks of Birmingham.

During the Second Anglo-Boer War, “Remember Majuba” was a rallying cry of British soldiers.  It referred to the British defeat at Battle of Majuba Hill on 27 February 1881 during the First Anglo-Boer War.  Exactly 19 years later, on 27 February 1900, General Piet Cronjé and 4,000 of his men surrendered after the British victory at the Battle of Paardeberg.  In the jingoistic poem, The Absent-Minded Beggar, by Rudyard Kipling, there is a line which reads: “He is out on active service, wiping something off a slate”.  Hence the wording on the medal: “MAJUBA WIPED OUT” signifies the restoration of British pride.

Enamelled (red-white-blue) silver. Diameter 17.1 mm. Mass 2.3 gm. The medal has been holed for a link ring. Originally these medals were made with an integral loop. Presumably, this broke off and the hole was pierced so that continued use could be made of the medal. There is significant wear and the enamel work has deteriorated.