Thanks Hendrik. I had a quick snout round your web site and a few secondary "WW2 in Africa" books and the blockade is for what is today called Djibouti -which will bring back many happy, hot memories for Chris B. I'm certain. It appears as if the medal was locally (well, African anyway) tuna-can style made as it's lighter than most, but despite the apparent battering, is quite a nice war time piece. A nice little memorial to a forgotten "campaign": far, far away and a long time ago'. Thanks to RickR for showing it to me! By the way-your web site is great!