During the Boer War a naval contingent was employed, and their assistance in the defence and relief of Ladysmith is one of the outstanding features of that long conflict. The men of H.M.S. "Powerful," who helped in the defence of Ladysmith under Captain (afterwards Admiral Sir) Percy Scott, R.N., whose genius was such a material asset to the beleaguered, did excellent work, while the naval brigade which took part in the Natal campaign and the relief of Ladysmith made splendid efforts. It comprised 39 officers and 403 men of the Royal Navy, and 2 officers and 50 men of the Natal Naval Volunteers, who during the fighting leading up to the relief, on February 28th, 1900, had fired 4,000 rounds of ammunition from the 4·7-inch guns, and 12,000 rounds from the 12-pounder quick-firing guns.

Bars Gained by Navy.—The officers and men of H.M.S. "Powerful" received the bar for the DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH. The bar for the RELIEF OF LADYSMITH was awarded to officers and men from H.M.S. "Terrible" and "Philomel." Men from the latter ships also took part in the battle of the TUGELA HEIGHTS. The sailors from the "Philomel," in addition to the bars already mentioned, received those for ORANGE FREE STATE and LAING'S NEK, while men from the "Monarch" and "Doris" were awarded bars for BELMONT, MODDER RIVER, PAARDEBERG, DRIEFONTEIN, DIAMOND HILL, and BELFAST. Men from H.M.S. "Naiad" fought in, and received bars for, CAPE COLONY, TRANSVAAL, WITTEBERGEN, and SOUTH AFRICA 1902.

Medals with bars to the navy are rare, and those with more than two particularly so. A leading stoker of H.M.S. "Doris" received, in addition to those mentioned above as awarded to men from his ship, the rare one for WEPENER, but though this bar to the navy was afterwards recalled, Dr. Payne has this rare medal with this and six other bars in his collection.

The crews of the following ships received the medal: H.M.S. "Barracouta," "Barrossa," "Beagle," "Blonde," "Doris," "Dwarf," "Fearless," "Forte," "Gibraltar," "Magicienne," "Magpie," "Monarch," "Naiad," "Niobe," "Partridge," "Pearl," "Pelorus," "Philomel," "Powerful," "Racoon," "Rambler," "Rattler," "Redbreast," "Sappho," "Sybille," "Tartar," "Terpsichore," "Terrible," "Thesis," "Thrush," and "Widgeon."

Africa General Service Medal.—This medal, described on page 254, was awarded to the army and navy. It was instituted by King Edward VII to commemorate and recognise the naval and military operations in East Central and West Africa, and on its institution the East and West and Central Africa medals were no longer issued.

Jubaland.—The medal with bar for JUBALAND for the operations against the Ogaden Somalis, from November 16th, 1900, to April 30th, 1901, was awarded to the officers and men of the Royal Navy and marines from H.M.S. "Magicienne," "Terpsichore," and "Scout."

Gambia, 1901.—Those members of the crews of H.M. ships who had received the Africa General Service medal with the bar for JUBALAND were not entitled to this bar.

Aro, 1901-2.—The crew of H.M.S. "Thrush" took part in the operations against the Aro tribe from November 15th, 1901, to March 23rd, 1902 (see also page 255). The naval recipients of the medal with the bar for ARO 1901-2 were 53 of the crew of the "Thrush," and 3 officers and 27 sailors belonging to the Protectorate gunboat "Jackdaw."

Somaliland, 1902-4.—In this campaign men belonging to the following ships participated in the expedition under Colonel Rochfort, C.B., C.M.G., and were entitled to this bar: H.M.S. "Cossack," "Dryad," "Fox," "Highflyer," "Harrier," "Hussar," "Hyacinth," "Mohawk," "Merlin," "Naiad," "Perseus," "Porpoise," "Pomone," and "Redbreast" (see also page 256).

Somaliland, 1908-10.—This bar was awarded with the medal to those who took part in the campaign. Men from H.M.S. "Hyacinth" and "Proserpine" were engaged.

Transport Medal.—King Edward VII, on his birthday, November 9th, 1903, instituted a medal which was granted as a special recognition of the magnificent work done, and for the nautical skill and perfect efficiency shown, by those who were engaged in connection with the Transport Service during the China and South Africa campaigns. On the obverse is the bust of King Edward VII, facing left, in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, wearing his orders and decorations, and the legend EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR. On the reverse, in the foreground, is a large liner ("Ophir") ploughing through the sea; above is a map of the world on Mercator's projection, which embraces the British Empire from the West Indies to New Zealand, but, owing to the circular form of the medal, omits the North American Continent; below is the legend OB PATRIAM MILITIBUS PER MARE TRANSVECTIS ADJUTAM. The medal, 1? in. in diameter, is suspended by means of a straight swivel bar from a red ribbon, with two blue stripes each ¼ in. broad. The names are impressed round the edge of the medal in capital letters. The official announcement of the issue stated that the "Transport Medal shall be granted in future wars to the Officers of the Mercantile Marine serving in the transports" whenever a war medal is granted for the campaign. These medals have realised from £2 to £4 each at public auction.