The Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal, most commonly referred to as the Lord Strathcona Medal (LSM), is the highest award which can be bestowed on a Royal Canadian Army Cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training. Lord Strathcona's objectives in establishing his endowment were to:
1 - encourage the improvement of the physical and intellectual capabilities of cadets; and
2 - foster patriotism in cadets through the acquisition of a good knowledge of military matters.
To be eligible for consideration, an Anny Cadet must:
a) possess a wide variety of training and experience as a cadet over a period of not less than three years;
b) be qualified to a superior level of physical fitness:
c) have attended at least one summer training course of six weeks duration
d) have qualified with distinction to a training level not below silver star
e) have met all requirements of their unit's mandatory LHQ training program and attended at least 75% of the scheduled training parades in the year of nomination;
f) have met all requirements of their unit's optional/support LHQ training program and participated in at least 50% of the scheduled activities in the year of nomination; and
g) be regarded by peers and supervisors as exemplifying the model cadet.

DESCRIPTION
A circular bronze medal with the bust of Lord Strathcona facing left on the obverse and the words AGMINA DUCENS around the top of the medal. RIBBON Five equal stripes of dark crimson, dark green, dark crimson, dark green, dark crimson. The ribbon passes through a ring. A smaller ring passes through it and through an attachment at the top of the medal.

The earliest known medal awarded was in 1921, but almost certainly there could be earlier awards. 

Interestingly, there have been slight variations on the medal and to a greater extent the ribbon for the medal in earlier years, 13 known variants of the ribbon. The 'Strathcona Trust' pin was awarded as early as the 1930 through the 1960s. It measured 5/8" wide.

The Strathcona medal will require further research. 

A Quebec issued Lord Strathcona Medal, note Strathcona's bust replaced with Canadian emblem

ca. late 1950s

obverse

Best cadet (French)

reverse

A Manitoba issued Lord Strathcona Medal,

ca.possibly 1940s

#65 Birtle Cadet Corps, 1921

H26527  Sgt Hough, Douglas Munro

A Sqn, Fort Garry Horse

Gunner/Operator

TOS 40/05/08    Shilo

  He was a D-Day veteran, embarking 2 June 1944, disembarking 6 June 1944, likely at Bernieres-sur-Mer

  He was promoted to Sergeant on 15 Oct 1944.

A trio of Lord Strathcona Medals 

(Glenbow Museum, Calgary)

Another variation, an Alberta issued, unknown date

(LCdr Neil Martin coll.)

(Michael S Secuur)