United Kingdom. A Military General Service Medal to S. Baker, 69th Foot

A Military General Service Medal, in silver, full size, rim officially impressed S. BAKER, 69TH FOOT., on a replacement ribbon with clasp JAVA, small scratches to both sides and several notable edge bruises, bright and lightly cleaned, very fine condition.

Footnote: Samuel Baker, 69th Foot is on the Military General Service Medal Roll with Java Clasp.  The 69th Regiment of Foot, also known as the South Lincolnshire Regiment, took part in the British expedition to Java in 1811 during the Napoleonic Wars. The campaign aimed to seize the Dutch-controlled island, which was then allied with Napoleonic France, and to secure British dominance in the East Indies. The regiment landed on Java in August 1811 and was engaged in a series of operations against entrenched Dutch and French positions. Soldiers faced harsh tropical conditions, including heat, humidity, and disease, which caused significant non-combat losses. Despite these challenges, the 69th Foot participated in the capture of key forts and towns, helping to bring the island under British control.

The Military General Service Medal (MGSM) was a British campaign medal instituted in 1847 to recognize soldiers who had served in various campaigns between 1793 and 1814, including the Napoleonic Wars. The medal was awarded retrospectively, with clasps denoting specific battles or campaigns. One of these clasps, “Java”, was issued to participants in the 1811 British expedition to the Dutch-controlled island of Java in present-day Indonesia. This campaign was part of Britain’s effort to weaken Napoleonic allies in the East Indies. Troops faced challenging terrain, tropical disease, and resistance from Dutch and French forces, ultimately capturing key forts and securing the island for the British. Recipients of the MGSM with the “Java” clasp were thus recognized for their service in a distant and strategically significant operation during the Napoleonic era.