History

The Army Gold Medal was established in 1810. It was only awarded for five years before it was permanently discontinued following the restructuring of the Order of the Bath in 1815. The Medal was awarded to British Army Officers in recognition of meritorious service in battles of the Peninsular War (1808-1814). It was awarded in two different sizes according to differences in rank. The I Class Gold Medal was awarded to General Officers and the II Class Gold Medal was awarded to Field Officers. The I Class Gold Medal was issued to 85 recipients.

A ribbon clasp was awarded for one or two additional actions, and Clasps are inscribed on the obverse with the name of each additional battle. The Army Gold Cross was awarded in recognition of the fourth action.

The following clasps were official:

1."Roleia, 1808"
2. "Vimiera, 1808"
3. "Sahagun, Benevente, 1808-9"
4. "Corunna, 1809"
5. "Martinque, 1809"
6. "Talavera, 1809"
7. "Guadaloupe, 1810"
8. "Busaco, 1810"
9. "Barrosa, 1811"
10. "Fuentes d'Onor, 1811"
11. "Albuhera, 1811"
12. "Java, 1811"
13. "Ciudad Rodrigo, 1812"
14. "Badajoz, 1812"
15. "Salamanca, 1812"
16. "Fort Detroit, 1812"
17. "Vittoria, 1813
18. "Pyrenees, 1813
19. "St. Sebastian, 1813"
20. "Chateauguay, 1813"
21. "Nivelle, 1813"
22. "Chrystler's Farm, 1813"
23. "Nive, 1813"
24. "Orthes, 1814"
25. "Toulouse, 1814"
26. “Benevente”
27. “Maida”
28. “Roleia & Vimera”

The I Class Gold Medal was worn on a neck ribbon and the II Class Gold Medal was worn on a breast ribbon. The obverse features the name of a battle on the reverse.