German Colonial Denkmunze Medal

German Colonial Denkmünze Medal mounted in the Prussian parade mount style. The obverse features a profile view of Kaiser Wilhelm II, along with his royal cypher. The reverse has a Hohenzollern Crown with the inscription 'Den Tapferen Streitern Für Deutchlands Ehre' which translates to 'The Brave fight for Germany's Honour'. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender. The ribbon features four narrow red bands interspersed with white bands with black edges.

This medal was established in 1912 by Kaiser Willhelm II and issued retrospective for German colonial campaigns back to 1888. It had numerous gold plated brass clasps for the ribbon which was 32mm for white troops and 28mm for black troops.

Acquired by 16049 Driver Alfred Hawkins. Hawkins was born on 9 November 1882 and was a brass dresser on enlistment on 8 October 1917. He embarked for the United Kingdom on 30 April 1918 aboard SS Port Darwin as a member of the Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). He disembarked at Suez on 7 June and was taken on strength at the Australia Camp. On 11 July he was admitted to the Native Hospital, Faenza with influenza but was discharged on 16 July. Hawkins arrived at Southampton on 28 July and was taken on strength by the AASC Training Depot at Boynton. The Armistice had been signed and the war over before he proceeded overseas to France on 28 November as a member of AASC Reinforcements and arrived at the Australian General Base Depot in Calais the next day. On 17 December he was taken on strength at the Australian Veterinary Hospital. He was transferred to the 4th Australian Divisional Train on 6 April 1919. In early May he was to return to Australia, but was admitted to the 39th General Hospital, Bulford on 14 May with scabies, four days later being transferred to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital. Hawkins was discharged from hospital on 8 June but was readmitted two days later. He later discharged on 18 August to the AASC Central Training Depot. Hawkins embarked for Australia aboard HMAT Port Sydney on 22 September. He was formally discharged from the AIF on 22 February 1920.