=East and Central Africa=, 1897-9.--Obverse, as for Sudan. Reverse, Britannia pointing to the rising sun. A lion accompanies her. Clasps--Lubwa's Uganda; 1897-8; 1898; Uganda, 1899. Ribbon--orange and red in two wide bars. =China=, 1900.--Victoria in profile on obverse; a pile of arms, a shield, a palm-tree, and the Latin quotation "Armis Exposcere Pacem" on the reverse. Clasps--Taku Forts; Defence of the Legations; Relief of Pekin. Ribbon--a wide red band flanked with yellow edges. =First South Africa=, 1899-1902.--The Queen's head on the obverse, as in previous case. Victory offering a laurel crown to an army of British soldiers. Twenty-six clasps. Ribbon--orange flanked with blue, which in turn is flanked with red. =Second South Africa=, 1901-2.--The first campaign medal to bear King Edward's profile. Reverse, as for previous award. Clasps--South Africa, 1901; South Africa, 1902. Ribbon--equal strips of green, silver, and orange. =Ashanti=, 1900.--Obverse, as for second South Africa. Reverse, a lion trampling on native weapons, and a scroll with the word "Ashanti." Clasp--Kumassi. Ribbon--three strips of black and two of green. =East African General Service=, 1900-4.--Obverse, as before. Reverse, Victory, with a lion, pointing to the rising sun. Fourteen clasps. Ribbon--black, yellow, and green bars. =Fourth India General Service=, 1901-2.--Obverse, as before. Reverse and ribbon, as for the third India General Service medal. Clasp--Waziristan, 1901-2. Ribbon--three strips of crimson and two of green. =Tibet=, 1903-4.--Obverse, as before. Reverse, the heights of Tibet crowned by a fortress. Clasp--Gyantse. Ribbon--green, silver, and plum colour. CHAPTER IX MILITARY DECORATIONS AWARDED FOR SPECIAL SERVICES The necessity for special awards--The Victoria Cross--The Order of Merit--The "Distinguished Conduct in the Field" award--The Distinguished Service Order--The Meritorious Service award--The Long Service and Good Conduct award--The "Best Shot" medal--Volunteer decorations--Other decorations The reader who has noted the facts set out in the two previous chapters will remember how, in the earliest days of medal awarding, the general plan was to decorate none but the soldiers who had performed exceptional service, and that, as time wore on, the idea developed into granting medals to all who took part in warfare, irrespective of the merits of each individual. The latter plan must certainly be considered the more satisfactory, for personal bravery is so frequent a quality displayed on the battlefield that all who take part in these life-and-death struggles should, of necessity, receive a token of the King's recognition.