The Sierra Leone Independence Medal was authorised by
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
on the occasion of the granting of independence to Sierra Leone, to give recognition to individuals of the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces, Sierra Leone Naval Volunteer Force and the Police Force who were serving on the 27 April 1961. Members of United Kingdom Land Forces seconded to the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces also qualified.
5,500 medals were supplied by the
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the United Kingdom's official maker of British coins. It is currently located in Llantrisant, Wales, where it moved in 1968.
Operating under the legal name The Royal Mint Limited, it is a limited company that is wholly ow ...
.
Description
* The circular
cupro-nickel
Cupronickel or copper–nickel (CuNi) is an alloy of copper with nickel, usually along with small quantities of other metals added for strength, such as iron and manganese. The copper content typically varies from 60 to 90 percent. ( Monel is a ...
medal has a diameter of and features the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
* The reverse depicts the Sierra Leone Coat of Arms surrounded by the inscription ''Sierra Leone Independence, 27 April 1961'' in a half circle above.
* The ribbon has a three vertical stripes, green, white and blue, the colours of the Sierra Leone national flag.
See also
*
Medals of Sierra Leone (1961–1971)
A number of new Sierra Leonean medals were instituted in the decade from 1961, when the country gained independence, until 1971, when Sierra Leone was declared a republic.
Background
On 27 April 1961, Sierra Leone, until then a British colony, ...
References
{{reflist, refs=
[{{London Gazette , issue=42341 , date=28 April 1961 , page=3164 ]
Orders, decorations, and medals of Sierra Leone
Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
Awards established in 1961