History

The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria by Royal Warrant in 1899. The Silver Medal was created as a military long service award for part-time personnel of all ranks in any organized forces of the British colonies, dependencies or protectorates in the British Empire. The Medal recognizes 20 years of service, with service in West Africa counting as double. The Medal was superseded in 1930 with the Efficiency Medal with an appropriate colonial or dominion clasp.

There are multiple versions of the Medal which vary by obverse effigy of the reigning monarch at the time of issue.