King’s South Africa Medal 1901-02, with 2 clasps awarded to ‘Jimson’ the mule, 1895-1902 (metal)

King’s South Africa Medal 1901-02, with 2 clasps awarded to ‘Jimson’ the mule, 1895-1902. ‘Jimson’ was the mascot of the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). Although there are a small number of horses known to have been given campaign medals for their war services, ‘Jimson’ is the only mule known to have had such an award. However, medals were never formally awarded to animals by the Army and this one is not inscribed with ‘Jimson’s’ name. It is likely to have been obtained for him by the Middlesex Regiment or even from a soldier who was very fond of him.