Army Temperance Association Medal : Gunner J D Griffiths, Royal Artillery Accession Number: REL/13447

Description

Army Temperance Association Medal. Unnamed as issued. A cross clechée with a raised edge. Obverse: In the centre a '6' within a capital 'C'. On the left and right arms the letter 'A', the top arm the letter 'T' and '1889' on the lower arm. Reverse: Plain. The medal is fitted with a small loose ring suspender and a piece of 13 mm dark blue ribbon.

Contextual Description

16256 Gunner J D Griffiths was part of No 2 Battery Ist Brigade Royal Artillery which served in the Burma campaign between 14 November 1885 to 30 April 1887. A group of miniature medals attributed to him suggests that he may also have served in Afghanistan and the First World War. The temperance movement, which encouraged moderation in consumption, or complete abstinence from alcohol, began in the late 1830s. Concern over alcoholism in the army itself grew in the second half of the nineteenth century, especially with regard to troops stationed in India and the Far East, where excessive amounts of alcohol were consumed due to the heat and the fact that it was considered a safer option compared with most local water supplies. The Army Temperance Association encouraged men to sign the pledge against alcohol for a number of years, and awarded a variety of medals to men who were successful in complying with their pledge. The Association also encouraged the consumption of bottled lemonade, which was made especially for the army. This medals was awarded to Griffiths for six years of alcohol abstinence.

Details

Accession Number
REL/13447
Maker
Unknown
Classification
Heraldry
Object Type
Medalet
Physical Description
Material: Silver
Measurement
Archived measurement
Date Made
c 1889
Place Made
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Copyright
Copyright not applicable

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Last modified: 14 May 2025 - 5.15 am