Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service medal. GV first issue, with swivel suspender (No. C.Q.M.Sjt. James Jayawardena, Ceylon L.I.)

The recipient James Jayawardena was a Ceylonese volunteer holding the rank of Company Quarter Master Sergeant while serving with the Ceylon Light InfantryMedal Verification: Reference 'The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal' (J.M.A. Tamplin,1984), the award is shown as awarded to C.Q.M.S. S.K.J. Jayawardena C.L.I. in the Ceylon Government Gazette of 26 November 1926The Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers, were established in 1881 by proclamation of the lieutenant governor. This new volunteer force was - initially - commanded by British officers, while the ranks were filled out largely with Burghers, a highly Westernized group that adapted well to the demands of volunteer service. In 1910 the volunteer corps was redesignated as the Ceylon Defence Force. Although Ceylon volunteer were not deployed outside the island in either of the world wars, individual soldiers, did volunteer and served in the regular British and British Indian armies, and armed forces. In World War II, the British crown took direct control of the island's armed forces from the colonial government. During this period, the Ceylon Light Infantry grew from 1 battalion to 5 battalions, and was overwhelmingly comprised of local Ceylon born 'all-ranks'Condition: About VF