This book outlines the medals issued to British soldiers and sailors for military service across the globe. At a time of imperial expansion, British forces were almost constantly in action - against major powers (like Russia in 1854), in wars of conquest (as in West Africa in the 1880s), or in expeditions on the fringes of Empire, such as the North West Frontier, southern Africa or Burma. Their campaign medals have become a popular field for collectors since, apart from the artistic merit of some awards, most British medals were officially named, making it possible to research the military career of an individual. Collectors feel that they can hold in their hand a real link with the people and events of the past and with famous incidents in Britain's military history.