The Ceylon Medal 1818

This very rare medal was awarded for gallant conduct during the Kandyan Rebellion of 1818, by the Ceylon Government.

Obverse- Inscription CEYLON 1818 surrounded by a wreath of Bay and Oak leaves.

Reverse- REWARD OF MERIT around the edge. The recipient’s name is usually found engraved in the centre.

Size- 38.5 mm in diameter

Metal- Silver (45) *

Designer- Unknown. Issued by the Ceylon Government

Naming- Engraved

Ribbon- 38.5mm wide, Blue.

* Some publications mention that two Gold medals were awarded. This seems to be an error as there were only 45 Silver medals awarded. The reason could be a confusion with the 'other' Ceylon Medal, the Capture of Ceylon 1795-6 Medal, where 2 Gold medals were awarded to the Artillery Captains John Barton and Edward Clarke. There was a Regimental medal awarded in Gold for this action. Please see the "73rd Foot Medal" tab for more details.

Hastings-Irwin - War Medals and Decorations.

"For the Kandian Rebellion in 1818, a medal was issued in 1819 by the Government of Ceylon, and was given to thirty-nine men of the 1st Ceylon Regiment, and two men of the 2nd Ceylon Regiment, for gallantry in the action fought on April 18th, 1818; and to four men of the 73rd Regiment for services rendered during a battle on June 15th, 1818. On the obverse is the inscription, 'Ceylon 1818,' surrounded by a wreath of oak, and bay-leaves. Reverse: Round the edge, 'Reward of Merit,' the name and regiment of the recipient being engraved in the centre. It was a silver medal, 1.1/2in. diameter, and was worn with a blue ribbon. The men of the 73rd Regiment who received it were Lance-Corporal R. McLaughlin and Privates W. Connor, C. Sheppard and J. Wilson."

W. Augustus Steward – War Medals and Their History

Ceylon, 1818.

In 1819 the Government of Ceylon issued a medal, 1 ½ inches in diameter, in connection with the Kandian rebellion of 1818. It bears on the obverse a wreath of bay and oak leaves, encircling CEYLON 1818, and on the reverse REWARD OF MERIT, the name of the recipient being engraved in the centre. A blue ribbon was used for suspension. Four men only of the 73rd Perthshire Regiment, two men of the 2^nd and 39 of the 1st Ceylon Regiments were awarded the medal.