This second edition of Peter Ducker's best-selling British Military Medals traces the history of medals and gallantry awards from Elizabethan times to the modern day, and it features an expert account of their design and production. Campaign and gallantry medals are a key to understanding - and exploring - British and imperial military history, and to uncovering the careers and exploits of individual soldiers. In a series of succinct and well-organized chapters he explains how medals originated, to whom they were awarded and how the practice of giving medals has developed over the centuries. His work is a guide for collectors and for local and family historians who want to learn how to use medals to discover the history of military units and the experiences of individuals who served in them. AUTHOR: Peter Duckers is one of the leading authorities on British medals, decorations and orders writing today. He is currently curator of the Shropshire Regimental Museum in Shrewsbury Castle. As well as producing over 120 articles for a wide range of publications, he is a prolific author of books on medals and military history. 100 colour illustrations