South Africa Medal 1877-79

Obverse: Head of Queen Victoria with a diadem, hair tied in a knot (left) Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA'. Reverse: a lion crouching to drink, a bush behind. Exergue: A Zulu ox-hide shield crossed with four assegais. Legend: 'SOUTH AFRICA'. Fitted with a cusped bar and buff ribbon with two broad blue stripes near the edge and two narrow inner ones. Bar: '1879'. Inscription on edge: 'L.C. COKER, MIDSN R.N. H.M.S. ACTIVE'.

Lewis Cadwallader Coker (1860-1879) was born in Shalstone, Buckinghamshire, the son of the Rector - Cadwallader Coker. He began his short career as a cadet in training ship HMS ‘Britannia’ in 15 July 1872. Between 17 July 1874 and 16 April 1875, he served in ‘Invincible’, then as a midshipman in ‘Tourmaline, and ‘Adelaide’. During the Anglo-Zulu War in ‘Active’, he was part of the naval brigade which served on shore. They formed part of the column commanded by Colonel Charles Pearson which crossed the Tugela River into Zululand and saw action at Inyezane. Pearson’s men then proceeded to Eshowe, where they were besieged for two months. At this time, Coker was in charge of the column’s Gatling gun which he placed on high ground overlooking the enemy. He was mentioned in despatches for his activity but died of fever and dysentery at Eshowe on 16 March 1879. The medical report suggests that ‘he met his death by sleeping in a wet ditch…in order to be near his gun.’