Pollock Medal

The Pollock Medal was a prize awarded to the best cadet of the season, in commemoration of Sir George Pollock's exploits in Afghanistan, first at the East India Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe, and later at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

This was to consist of a medal to be presented twice a year “to the most distinguished cadet at the East India Company’s Military Seminary, at Addiscombe, near Croydon in England, on passing the biennial examination for a commission.” The original medal, with a weight of 2oz and valued at sixteen guineas, was designed by General Macleod and was first presented in December 1847, with the following inscription: To commemorate eminent services Major-General Sir George Pollock, K.C.B.

Bengal Artillery, Cabul 1842 Treachery avenged – British honour vindicated – Disasters retrieved – British captives delivered – Khyber Pass forced – Jellalabad relieved – Victories of Mamoo Khail, Jugdulluck, Tezeen, Istaliff And on the reverse: Military Seminary, Addiscombe Pollock Prize Presented by the British Inhabitants of Calcutta, and Awarded by the Court of Directors of the East India Company, to the most distinguished Cadet of the Season.

The medal was valued at twelve guineas, and part of the inscription recording the services of Sir George Pollock and his army was omitted.

The following is the roll of Pollock Medallists until February 1875 as recorded on tablets fixed on the walls of the great dining hall of the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich: The above two lists are taken from the Memoir to Illustrate the Origin and Foundation of the Pollock Medal (1875),[2] published anonymously but probably written by Field Marshal Sir Lintorn Simmons.