3-021-696 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Victoria Nyanza Medal for natives who aided Captains Speke and Grant, 1869. 'A beautifully-executed medal in silver has been struck by Messrs. Wyon, of Regent-street, for the Africans who accompanied Captains Speke and Grant in their journey across Africa. It is designed by Colonel J. A. Grant, and bears on one side a representation of her Majesty [Queen Victoria] as patron of the Royal Geographical Society, and on the reverse a sunset view of the Victoria Nyanza source of the Nile, from an original sketch by him. Each medal has the name of the recipient and "One of Speke's Faithfuls" inscribed on the rim; and, having a ring attached, may be worn as a pendant from the neck. The Speke and Grant expedition consisted originally of seventy followers, but fifteen only remained faithful to the end, and were sent home safely from Egypt to Zanzibar, where houses and gardens were allotted to them for life. Four having since died, eleven now survive, and will receive this well-earned decoration. These medals, the gift of Colonel Grant, are sent in fulfilment of an old promise to the men, and will be forwarded by him to Dr. Kirk, her Majesty's Consul at Zanzibar, for distribution among these faithful "Seedee boys."' From "Illustrated London News", 1869.