[1] Awards of the medal covered punitive expeditions against local tribesmen, generally in response to attacks against Europeans or neighbouring tribes, or for operations to suppress slavery.

[1]The reverse has an image of British soldiers fighting Africans in dense jungle.

[4]The recipient's name, rank and unit appear on the rim of the medal, using a number of different impressed and engraved styles.

[2]The medal was issued in silver to officers and men of the British led forces.

[7] Those who served in the Mwele campaign of 1895-96 on the Kenyan coast did not qualify for a clasp, but received the medal with the inscription "MWELE" and the dates "1895" or "1895-6" engraved on the rim, next to the claw of the medal.