Bar with the Combatants South West Africa Medal

Photo © JW Collection

The medals on this bar in order of seniority from left to right are-
Prussian Warriors Merit Medal
1914-18 Honour Cross for non-combatants
Prussian Wilhelm I Centenary Medal
Prussian Other Ranks Long Service Award, third class for 9 years service
1904-08 South West Africa Campaign Medal for combatants. Note that two clasps have unfortunately been removed from this medal

The original owner of this medal bar was an other ranks combat veteran of the Herero Rebellion and a non-combatant in the First World War. His Prussian Warriors Merit Medal shows that he was probably from one of the non-Prussian German states, though the Wilhelm I Centenary Medal shows that his was in either Prussian or Imperial service in 1897, most likely the Schutztruppe, judging from his later South West Africa Medal. Curiously the Centenary Medal is worn ahead of both the Long Service and South West African medals whereas regulations stated that it should be worn after them.