The Abyssinian War Medal was awarded for service between 4 October 1867 and 19 April 1868[1] to those who participated in the 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia.

[2] The punitive expedition launched by the British in response required transporting a sizable military force hundreds of miles across mountainous terrain lacking any road system.

In addition to members of the Naval Brigade which accompanied the expedition, awards were made to the crews of the ships on duty off the Ethiopian coast during the campaign.

This feature required that the dies for the reverse had a removable centre, so each recipient's name and unit could be impressed, with each medal minted individually.

[4] The reverse has a blank central space for the recipient's name and unit, surrounded by a laurel wreath.