Army Temperance Association Medal : Gunner J D Griffiths, Royal Artillery

Army Temperance Association Medal. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: Two Indian women on either side of a palm tree; one sitting and the other standing with a water jar on her head. Surrounded by the inscription 'ARMY TEMPERANCE MEDAL INDIA'. Reverse: In the centre the words 'WATCH AND BE SOBER' on three lines within a beaded ring, with 'ARMY TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION 1897' around the circumference. The medal is fitted with a small loose ring suspender and a piece of 38 mm dark blue ribbon.

16256 Gunner J D Griffiths was part of No 2 Battery Ist Brigade Royal Artillery which served in the Burma campaign between 14 November 1885 to 30 April 1887. A group of miniature medals attributed to him suggests that he may also have served in Afghanistan and the First World War. The temperance movement, which encouraged moderation in consumption, or complete abstinence from alcohol, began in the late 1830s. Concern over alcoholism in the army itself grew in the second half of the nineteenth century, especially with regard to troops stationed in India and the Far East, where excessive amounts of alcohol were consumed due to the heat and the fact that it was considered a safer option compared with most local water supplies. The Army Temperance Association encouraged men to sign the pledge against alcohol for a number of years, and awarded a variety of medals to men who were successful in complying with their pledge. The Association also encouraged the consumption of bottled lemonade, which was made especially for the army.