This medal was issued by the government of Hong Kong and awarded to members of the Army and Navy, together with some civilians, for services during the outbreak of bubonic plague in the colony between 5th May and 3rd September 1894. The award was not allowed to be worn in uniform as this was not a service medal. The medal was issued in gold to officers and senior civilians, and in silver for other recipients. Approximately 40 gold and 350 silver medals were issued.
The obverse shows a soldier man fending off a figure of Death who is aiming his spear at a plague-striken Chinese man laid on a table. A woman, symbolising Charity, has her right hand on the patient's heart and her left hand holding a bottle of medicine. One the left the words 'Hong Kong' in Chinese characters. A scrolls contains the date 1894. The reverse contains two inscriptions 'For services rendered during the plague of 1894' and 'Presented by the Hong Kong Community'.
The main recipients of this award were 300 men of the Shropshire Light Infantry. There were other awards, approximately 50, to the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and civilians, including policemen and nurses.
The naming is in impressed capitals giving the recipients rank, name and regiment. The ribbon is of red with yellow edges and two thin yellow stripes down the centre.
One officer and six men lost their lives during the plague.
See the forum posts on the combination of the QSA and Hong Kong Plague Medal.
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