Royal Sussex Society Regulations on Awards
Occasionally a worthy member’s efforts will be recognized by the Society with an award. This is to recognize excellence and build regimental pride. Decorations are chosen carefully, and the Society does not grant valor or gallantry decorations, nor British decorations currently in use out of respect. No other decorations except those authorized below are to be worn on the person or uniform. An exception can be made if in the context of portraying a specific historical person, such as Queen Victoria or Prince Albert wearing the Order of the Garter at a Society event.
CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR COCKADE
REGIMENTAL AWARD FOR BEST MUSKETRY
CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR COCKADE
- When an exceptional civilian is recognized by the Civilian Committee, that person is awarded an orange and blue cockade or bow from the Civilian Committee Chair. This may be worn on all orders of civilian dress for one year.
REGIMENTAL AWARD FOR BEST MUSKETRY
- A uniquely regimental award for the winner of Best Musketry black powder competitions. A small metal disc suspended on a narrow red satin ribbon; the winner is entitled to wear the medal around the collar for special occasions. The award is bestowed only once per year.
18th and early 19th Centuries
Historically, there were no official ribbons, medals, or other decorations available to the rank and file during the periods of the War of Spanish Succession, American Revolution, and Napoleonic Wars. The President and Executive Committee of the Royal Sussex Society may, however, recognize worthy and exceptional members through other means.
American Revolution - 1770s
35th REGIMENT 250th ANNIVERSARY AWARD
Established in June of 2025 to help us further celebrate and embrace the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the "35th Regiment 250th Anniversary Award" will recognize our Revolutionary War soldiers and civilians who show exceptional unit commitment during this once-in-a-lifetime period of our national history.
Awarded in three degrees, these will be for those soldiers and civilians who attend, in 35th kit, the major 250th Anniversary battles that the 35th Regiment was historically part. Attendance earns an Anniversary Credit.
Five credits will earn the 35th Regiment Gold 250th Anniversary Award.
Four credits will earn the 35th Regiment Silver 250th Anniversary Award.
Three credits will earn the 35th Regiment Bronze 250th Anniversary Award.
These honors will be awarded sometime in the last half of 2028. Why not continue them to 2033? Because the 35th and other regiments left for the Caribbean theater after the Battle of Monmouth, thus ending their involvement in the American Revolution on the mainland.
Criteria: members must attend in 35th kit, or Revolutionary War civilian attire with the 35th Regiment, for at least one day, at the above mentioned major 250th regimental anniversaries to earn a credit. If you're at one of the events but as/with another unit, or go as spectator, then that doesn't count to earn the award. You do not need to attend events in perfect consecutive order to qualify.
Lexington Amendment - recognizing that the awards were established near to the Battle of Bunker Hill 250th, and with many unable but willing to have attended, the "Lexington Amendment" seeks to make conditions fairer. An additional credit can be earned if a member attends an additional two 250th battle events, meeting the above criteria. A member who attended either the 2025 Battle Road, Massachusetts, or 2025 Lexington/Concord in Monroe, will gain an additional credit by attending another 250th battle event not listed above, meeting the standard criteria.
Established in June of 2025 to help us further celebrate and embrace the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the "35th Regiment 250th Anniversary Award" will recognize our Revolutionary War soldiers and civilians who show exceptional unit commitment during this once-in-a-lifetime period of our national history.
Awarded in three degrees, these will be for those soldiers and civilians who attend, in 35th kit, the major 250th Anniversary battles that the 35th Regiment was historically part. Attendance earns an Anniversary Credit.
- Battle of Bunker Hill (1775/2025)
- Battle of Long Island (1776/2026)
- Battle of White Plains (1776/2026)
- Battle of Brandywine (1777/2027)
- Battle of Monmouth (1778/2028)
Five credits will earn the 35th Regiment Gold 250th Anniversary Award.
Four credits will earn the 35th Regiment Silver 250th Anniversary Award.
Three credits will earn the 35th Regiment Bronze 250th Anniversary Award.
These honors will be awarded sometime in the last half of 2028. Why not continue them to 2033? Because the 35th and other regiments left for the Caribbean theater after the Battle of Monmouth, thus ending their involvement in the American Revolution on the mainland.
Criteria: members must attend in 35th kit, or Revolutionary War civilian attire with the 35th Regiment, for at least one day, at the above mentioned major 250th regimental anniversaries to earn a credit. If you're at one of the events but as/with another unit, or go as spectator, then that doesn't count to earn the award. You do not need to attend events in perfect consecutive order to qualify.
Lexington Amendment - recognizing that the awards were established near to the Battle of Bunker Hill 250th, and with many unable but willing to have attended, the "Lexington Amendment" seeks to make conditions fairer. An additional credit can be earned if a member attends an additional two 250th battle events, meeting the above criteria. A member who attended either the 2025 Battle Road, Massachusetts, or 2025 Lexington/Concord in Monroe, will gain an additional credit by attending another 250th battle event not listed above, meeting the standard criteria.
Early Victorian - 1830s
LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT STRIPE (Solid Soldier)
WATERLOO MEDAL 1816 (The Old Sweat)
GHUZNEE MEDAL 1839 (For the Cause)Awarded by Shah Sujah to Crown and East India Company officers and men for the reduction of the Ghuznee Fortress in Afghanistan. Requirements: 1) Singular excellence in establishing a unique early Victorian event or 2) impeccable proficiency in addition to recruiting 2 or more soldiers to the unit.
- Established in 1836, the chevron is worn point-up on the wearer’s right sleeve, above the cuff, to acknowledge excellent soldiers. Open to privates and lance corporals only, as corporals and serjeants are expected to conduct themselves exceptionally without the need for special recognition. Requirements: A private or lance corporal in the 35th Royal Sussex Regiment shall have demonstrated exceptional attendance, engagement, performance, and knowledge with at least 3 years active and good standing time in the ranks.
WATERLOO MEDAL 1816 (The Old Sweat)
- Awarded by the Prince Regent to those who participated in the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras, and Waterloo. It is worn on the wearer’s left-side chest. Requirements: An officer or soldier is at least 34 years old and 1) participated in the 2012-2015 Napoleonic bicentennial as 35th Sussex Regiment or 2) is active and in good standing with the early Victorian 35th Royal Sussex Regiment for 6 years. Requirement is reduced to 5 years if said officer or soldier had been, or is concurrently, an active officer or soldier in good standing with the Napoleonic 35th Sussex Regiment.
GHUZNEE MEDAL 1839 (For the Cause)Awarded by Shah Sujah to Crown and East India Company officers and men for the reduction of the Ghuznee Fortress in Afghanistan. Requirements: 1) Singular excellence in establishing a unique early Victorian event or 2) impeccable proficiency in addition to recruiting 2 or more soldiers to the unit.
Late Victorian - 1880s
LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT STRIPE (Solid Soldier)
INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1854 (Enterprising)
INDIA MUTINY MEDAL 1858 (Long Sunburned)
EGYPT MEDAL 1882 (Proficient)
KHEDIVE’S STAR (Marketer)
QUEEN VICTORIA JUBILEE MEDAL 1887 & 1897 (Meritorious)Awarded to participants in Queen Victoria’s Golden and later Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Ladies’ version is worn as a bow. Requirement: Special and excellent service to the Royal Sussex Society.
- Worn point-up on the wearer’s left sleeve by the 1880s, above the cuff, to acknowledge excellent soldiers. Open to privates and lance corporals only. Requirements: A private or lance corporal in the Royal Sussex Regiment shall have demonstrated exceptional attendance, engagement, performance, and knowledge with at least 3 years active and good standing time in the ranks.
INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1854 (Enterprising)
- Campaign medal awarded for various operations in India and the subcontinent region between 1852 and 1895. Requirements: Singular excellence in establishing a unique late Victorian event.
INDIA MUTINY MEDAL 1858 (Long Sunburned)
- Campaign medal awarded for service in the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858. Requirements: 10 years active and good standing in ranks, aged 40+.
EGYPT MEDAL 1882 (Proficient)
- A campaign medal awarded to officers and soldiers serving in the Egypt and Nile campaigns. Requirements: Impeccable performance and drill proficiency, plus 4 years of active and good standing time in ranks.
KHEDIVE’S STAR (Marketer)
- Awarded to officers and soldiers by the Khedive of Egypt along with the Egypt Medal. Worn to the right (wearer’s left) of British ribbons. Requirements: Egypt Medal a prerequisite, recruit 2 or more soldiers to the unit.
QUEEN VICTORIA JUBILEE MEDAL 1887 & 1897 (Meritorious)Awarded to participants in Queen Victoria’s Golden and later Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Ladies’ version is worn as a bow. Requirement: Special and excellent service to the Royal Sussex Society.
World War One
LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT STRIPE (Solid Soldier)
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899 (Dirt Under the Nails)
KING’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1902 (Old Contemptible)
- On khaki wool for World War One, the chevron is worn point-up on the wearer’s left sleeve, above the cuff, to acknowledge excellent soldiers. Open to privates and lance corporals only. Requirements: A private or lance corporal in the Royal Sussex Regiment shall have demonstrated exceptional attendance, engagement, performance, and knowledge with at least 3 years active and good standing time in the ranks.
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899 (Dirt Under the Nails)
- A campaign medal awarded to officers and soldiers who participated in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War. Requirements: Participate in at least 5 unit-sponsored Boer War events.
KING’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1902 (Old Contemptible)
- A campaign medal awarded to officers and soldiers who were serving in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War in 1902 with 18 months of service. Requirements: QSA a prerequisite, participate in at least 7 unit-sponsored Boer War events.