About half the troops deployed were locally recruited Hausa forces.

[3] A bronze four pointed star superimposed on a saltire cross, 38mm wide, suspended by a loop and ring.

Obverse: a central medallion with a circlet inscribed "Ashanti 1896", surrounding an imperial crown.

Naming: Awarded unnamed, except to members of the West Yorkshire Regiment, whose colonel had the medals engraved at his own expense.

[4] The design is attributed to Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, whose husband, Prince Henry of Battenberg, died of malaria during the campaign.