What medal is this?

[Douglas Jr.]

Hi,

A friend of mine bought this small medal while in London.

Looks like a commemorative/patriotic medal, that clearly resembles the Victoria Cross.

I have no clue about what it is so any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Douglas.

[Claudius]

no idea.  It doesn't look official. 

I almost want to believe it is some kind of commemorative to the Marartha/Indian war and I keep staring at the letters on the scroll to say "Assaye"; but I only see "ESSAYXZ"   

[peter monahan]

I can't get it to read 'ASSAYE' either, even when I squint.  perhaps the motto of the bearer of the arms?

Does the cipher on the back read 'B / B' or 'R ? B' . 

It seems to me that the clues lie there and, of course, in the coat of arms.   Two lions as supporters and perhaps a third as the crest.  The arms halfed vertically - forgotten the term for that - with a chevron on one half but I can't make out the rest of the charges.

[paul wood]

It is french it says essayez which means try. I suspect the medal is probably masonic related.

Paul

[Stuka f]

I could ask on a French forum if you want?

[Douglas Jr.]

Stuka,

If you could do it I'd appreciate it.

Douglas.

[Stuka f]

hello,

it was just ID, by one of the members specialized in medals.

It must be Scottish and indeed most probably masonic related.

The coat of arms and the motto are those of the Dundas familly.

"Dundas Comte de Zetland - Ecosse - (Baronet, 16 nov. 1762; baron Dundas d'Aske, 13 août 1794; comte de Z., 2 juillet 1838) - D'argent au lion de gueules enclos dans un double trêcheur fleuronné et contre-fleuronné du même Cimier une tête de léopard de gueules couronnée à l'antique d'or brochant sur un bosquet de chêne de sinople englanté d'or Supports deux lions au naturel couronnés à l'antique d'or colletés chacun d'une couronne de chêne de sinople englantée d'or portant chacun suspendu au collier un écusson celui à dextre d'argent au chef-sautoir de gueules et le canton d'argent ch d'un lion de sable (Bruce) celui à senestre losangé d'argent et de gueules (Fitzwilliam) Devise ESSAYEZ"
Une médaille d'origine écossaise donc. D'autre blason de la famille DUNDAS presque similaire existent.Peut etre une loge maçonnique....

[peter monahan]

Oh, well done!

 

[Claudius]

23 hours ago, Stuka f said:

hello,

it was just ID, by one of the members specialized in medals.

It must be Scottish and indeed most probably masonic related.

The coat of arms and the motto are those of the Dundas familly.

"Dundas Comte de Zetland - Ecosse - (Baronet, 16 nov. 1762; baron Dundas d'Aske, 13 août 1794; comte de Z., 2 juillet 1838) - D'argent au lion de gueules enclos dans un double trêcheur fleuronné et contre-fleuronné du même Cimier une tête de léopard de gueules couronnée à l'antique d'or brochant sur un bosquet de chêne de sinople englanté d'or Supports deux lions au naturel couronnés à l'antique d'or colletés chacun d'une couronne de chêne de sinople englantée d'or portant chacun suspendu au collier un écusson celui à dextre d'argent au chef-sautoir de gueules et le canton d'argent ch d'un lion de sable (Bruce) celui à senestre losangé d'argent et de gueules (Fitzwilliam) Devise ESSAYEZ"
Une médaille d'origine écossaise donc. D'autre blason de la famille DUNDAS presque similaire existent.Peut etre une loge maçonnique....

Capital work!

[paul wood]

Zetland lodge 1005 founded 1864 based in gloucester.

Paul

[peter monahan]

17 hours ago, paul wood said:

Zetland lodge 1005 founded 1864 based in gloucester.

Paul

So, Masonic?  No sabe 'Zetland', 

[Douglas Jr.]

Dear friends,

Very interesting information!

I really appreciated all the effort from the forum members in order to identify this medal.

Thanks a lot for all your time and attention.

Douglas.

[oamotme]

Gentlemen, Are the reverse letters "RMBI" - Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution? Regards, Owain

[peter monahan]

8 hours ago, oamotme said:

Gentlemen, Are the reverse letters "RMBI" - Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution? Regards, Owain

Well spotted, that man!

[Andrew Curle]

Good Evening Gentlemen,

I couldn't find a place to say Hi and to introduce myself to you all.

With regard to the Masonic Zetland Lodge 1005, the meetings are held at the Gloucester Masonic Hall, Cross Keys Lane, Gloucester GL1 2HQ. I have copied / pasted a bit of their history below:

The Zetland Lodge was consecrated on 11th May 1864. Although 7 of our 8 Founders came from Royal Lebanon Lodge, No 439, the petition was actually signed by the Master and Wardens of Cotteswold Lodge, No 592, who are thus our parent lodge.

We first met in The King’s Arms, Newent, later The Bull, Newent, and The Nelson, Rudford. By 1878 more members lived in Gloucester than west of it, so we moved to various venues in the city, settling at the Bell Hotel from 1884-1955, apart from the war years. Finally, we moved to our present home in 1956.

In our 154-year history we have initiated 514 gentlemen into Freemasonry, and we have sponsored two other Gloucestershire Lodges, Civitas, No 5457, in 1934, and Vigilantia, No 8021, in 1965. We are an Emulation Lodge, and since 1892 have sponsored a very successful Lodge of Instruction, and open to Master Masons of all local lodges.

Following the general post-war surge, we reached a maximum of just over 100 members from 1966-75. Since then, in parallel with the national trend, numbers have slowly declined, but with around 70 members we are the 7th largest in the Province.

 

 

I happened to find your question relating to the medal whilst Googling Zetland Lodge 1005, since I will be initiated into the Zetland Lodge 1005 11th September 2019.

I would also like to include a bit of history relating to my Great Uncle Ernest Walter Ormerod who served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces 14th August 1915 until 27th March 1919. He was serving in the Merchant Navy and working in New Zealand when he enlisted. I have his 1914 - 1918 Campaign Medal and Victory Medal, a copy of his Certificate of the services, leather dog? tag all in one frame.

He then served aboard the SS Stanpark during the Second World War and in 1941 it was attacked and sunk by the Admiral Scheer, a German heavy cruiser (aka Pocket Battleship) where all the crew were taken as prisoners of war and transferred to Germany. He was kept as a P.o.W. at Milag Nord, Stalag XB Sandbostal until liberated in 1945.

[paul wood]

Thanks for the most interesting info.

Paul