Rare 1900 Siege of Beaconsfield children's medal - Laidlaw 0188 (Catalogue value $180)

"At the outset of the South African War the residential township of Beaconsfield and the town of Kimberly, were besieged by Boer forces because of local diamond mining and their strategic location on the railway line from the Cape to the north. The siege lasted for four months without surrender before relief came from a British cavalry detachment led by General French.

The medal was commissioned by the Mayor of Beaconsfield, Mr J.M. Pratley. The white metal medal was presentation to the children of all races in the township. The presentation ceremony was delayed until the end of 1901 because of the war continued longer than had been anticipated; even then the Peace celebrated by the medal was still several months away."

Source: Michael Laidlaw (https://www.southafricanmedals.com)