Great Britain - The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own) Medal (1904)
(Rare Regimental Shooting Award Presented to Corp. J.W. Sherwood in Burma, 1904)
General Information
Country: Great Britain
Regiment: The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)
Year Awarded: 1904
Diameter: 35.13 mm
Material: Silver (hallmarked proof)
Maker’s Mark: Stamped on the reverse (refer to pictures).
Recipient: Corporal J.W. Sherwood
Event: Corporal’s Rifle Meeting, Burma (1904)
This is a very rare regimental shooting medal, issued to a member of the East Yorkshire Regiment, which was an infantry regiment of the British Army. The medal commemorates marksmanship and shooting excellence during military training exercises.
Historical Context
The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)
Established in 1685 as the 15th Regiment of Foot and later renamed the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1881.
Served in Burma, India, and throughout the British Empire during colonial campaigns.
Participated in major battles, including:
Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902)
Burma Campaign (late 19th to early 20th century)
World War I & World War II
Burma in 1904
The British Raj controlled Burma after the Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885-1887).
British regiments stationed in Burma conducted military training, patrols, and peacekeeping missions.
The Corporal’s Rifle Meeting suggests an annual marksmanship competition, promoting shooting skills and discipline among soldiers.
Design Features
Obverse:
Features the regimental insignia of the East Yorkshire Regiment.
Reverse:
Hallmarked proof silver, indicating authenticity.
Inscription stating the recipient’s name (Corp. J.W. Sherwood) and event details (Burma, 1904, Corpls Rifle Meeting).
Collectible Significance
Regimental Shooting Medals Are Rare:
These were privately issued by regiments rather than the War Office, making them scarcer than standard military campaign medals.
Highly Collectible for East Yorkshire Regiment Enthusiasts:
Appeals to British military collectors and those specializing in colonial-era regiments.
This is a very rare East Yorkshire Regiment shooting medal, specifically awarded to Corp. J.W. Sherwood for marksmanship in Burma in 1904. Given its named attribution, regimental significance, and historical importance, it is a highly valuable and desirable collector’s piece.