South African Medal for War Services
South African Medal for War Services | |
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Type | Service medal |
Awarded for | Voluntary & unremunerated service |
Country | ![]() |
Presented by | the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India |
Eligibility | Whether British subjects or not |
Campaign(s) | Second World War 1939–1945 |
Established | 1945 |
Total | 17,500 |
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Order of wear | |
Next (higher) | ![]() |
Next (lower) | ![]() |
The South African Medal for War Services is a South African service medal for voluntary unpaid service in support of the war effort between 6 September 1939 and 15 February 1946, during the Second World War.[1][2][3][4][5]
Institution
In addition to British war medals awarded to combatants from all members of the British Commonwealth, several Commonwealth nations augmented the British awards by establishing their own service medals, all distinctive in design, purpose and criteria.[1]
The South African Medal for War Services was instituted by a Royal Warrant dated 29 December 1945, countersigned and sealed at Cape Town on 6 February 1946.[5][6]
Award criteria
The medal was awarded for part-time unremunerated voluntary service in support of the war effort between 6 September 1939 and 15 February 1946.[1][2][5]
Altogether 17,500 medals were awarded to people of both sexes, irrespective of whether or not they were British subjects. The requirement was a minimum of two years’ service, of which at least one year was continuous, rendered voluntarily and without pay within or outside the borders of the Union of South Africa, in one or more of the officially recognised voluntary non-military organisations, such as the Red Cross and the Governor-General's War Fund, with the proviso that five or more hours were worked every week.[5][6]
Description
The medal was struck in silver and is 36 millimetres in diameter and 3 millimetres thick at the raised rim. It is affixed to the suspender by means of claws and a pin through the upper edge of the medal.[3][4] It was awarded unnamed.[6]
- Obverse
The obverse depicts the years "1939" over "1945", encircled by a wreath of protea flowers, all of which are surrounded by the name of the medal in English and Afrikaans, "SOUTH AFRICA" and "SUID-AFRIKA" above and "FOR WAR SERVICES • VIR OORLOGDIENSTE" below.[3][4][5]
- Reverse
The reverse has the Coat of Arms of the Union of South Africa.[5]
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, with three equal width bands of dark orange, white and dark blue.
Order of wear
In the order of wear prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the South African Medal for War Services takes precedence after the Women's Royal Voluntary Service Medal and before the Colonial Special Constabulary Medal.[7]
South Africa
On 6 April 1952 the Union of South Africa instituted its own range of decorations and medals. These new awards were worn before all earlier British decorations and medals awarded to South Africans, with the exception of the Victoria Cross, which still took precedence before all other awards. Of the official British medals applicable to South Africans, the South African Medal for War Services takes precedence as shown.[8][9]
- Preceded by the Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal.
References
- ^ a b c World War II in Europe – An Encyclopedia. David T. Zabecki (ed) (1999), Taylor & Francis. pp. 1049–1050. ISBN 0-8240-7029-1.
- ^ a b Medals of the World – South Africa: South African Medal for War Services (Accessed 9 May 2015)
- ^ a b c Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
- ^ a b c Monick, S (1988). South African Military Awards 1912–1987. South African National Museum of Military History. p. 49.
- ^ a b c d e f South African Medal Website - Civil - Union of South Africa (Accessed 1 May 2015)
- ^ a b c Joslin, E.C.; Litherland, A.R.; Simpkin, B.T. (eds.). British Battles and Medals. Spink. p. 257. ISBN 0907605257.
- ^ "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3352.
- ^ Government Notice no. 1982 of 1 October 1954 – Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations and Medals, published in the Government Gazette of 1 October 1954.
- ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
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![South Africa](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Red_Ensign_of_South_Africa_%281910%E2%80%931912%29.svg/23px-Red_Ensign_of_South_Africa_%281910%E2%80%931912%29.svg.png)
Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952
Victoria Cross
Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Cross
Military Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Force Cross
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
Distinguished Service Medal
Military Medal
Distinguished Flying Medal
Air Force Medal
British Empire Medal (Military)
South Africa Medal (1853)
South Africa Medal (1880)
Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
Queen's South Africa Medal
Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
Lint voor Verwonding
King's South Africa Medal
Natal Native Rebellion Medal
1914–15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal (South Africa)
Mercantile Marine War Medal
1939–1945 Star
Atlantic Star
Arctic Star
Air Crew Europe Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Burma Star
Italy Star
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal
Africa Service Medal
King George V Coronation Medal
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
King George VI Coronation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Air Efficiency Award
King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
South African Medal for War Services
Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Flag_of_South_Africa_%281928-1982%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Africa_%281928-1982%29.svg.png)
1952–1994
Honoris Crux Gold
Star of South Africa, Gold
Star of South Africa, Silver
Star of South Africa (1952)
Louw Wepener Decoration
Honoris Crux (1952)
Honoris Crux Silver
Van Riebeeck Decoration
Honoris Crux (1975)
Pro Virtute Decoration
Southern Cross Decoration
Pro Merito Decoration
Van Riebeeck Medal
Louw Wepener Medal
Ad Astra Decoration
Army Cross
Air Force Cross
Navy Cross
Medical Service Cross
Southern Cross Medal (1952)
Pro Merito Medal (1967)
Southern Cross Medal (1975)
Pro Merito Medal (1975)
Danie Theron Medal
Jack Hindon Medal
Military Merit Medal
Korea Medal
Pro Patria Medal
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal (South Africa)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
Good Service Medal, Gold
John Chard Decoration
De Wet Decoration
Cadet Corps Medal
Good Service Medal, Silver
Union Medal
Permanent Force Good Service Medal
John Chard Medal
Good Service Medal, Bronze
De Wet Medal
Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
Commandant General's Medal
SADF Champion Shot Medal
National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Flag_of_Transkei.svg/23px-Flag_of_Transkei.svg.png)
Transkei
Cross for Bravery
Transkei Defence Force Medal
Independence Medal (Transkei)
Military Rule Medal
Faithful Service Medal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Flag_of_Bophuthatswana_%281972%E2%80%931994%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Bophuthatswana_%281972%E2%80%931994%29.svg.png)
Bophuthatswana
Order of the Leopard, Commander
Distinguished Gallantry Cross
Defence Force Merit Decoration
Distinguished Gallantry Medal
Defence Force Merit Medal
Marumo Medal, Class I
Defence Force Commendation Medal
Marumo Medal, Class II
Nkwe Medal
General Service Medal
Independence Medal
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
State President's Medal for Shooting
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Flag_of_Venda_%281973%E2%80%931994%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Venda_%281973%E2%80%931994%29.svg.png)
Venda
Gallantry Cross, Gold
Gallantry Cross, Silver
Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
Venda Defence Force Medal
General Service Medal (Venda)
Independence Medal (Venda)
Long Service Medal, Gold
Long Service Medal, Silver
Long Service Medal, Bronze
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Flag_of_Ciskei.svg/23px-Flag_of_Ciskei.svg.png)
Ciskei
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Flag_of_the_African_National_Congress.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_African_National_Congress.svg.png)
Umkhonto
we Sizwe
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Yellow_star_on_green.svg/23px-Yellow_star_on_green.svg.png)
Azanian People's
Liberation Army
![South Africa](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Africa.svg.png)
From 1994