Orders, decorations, and medals of Rhodesia
The Rhodesian honours system was established at the time that Rhodesia unilaterally declared itself a republic in March 1970, when a system of military and civil decorations and awards was instituted by Presidential Warrant in November 1970.[1]
Prior to 2 March 1970, Rhodesians were conferred awards in the British honours system.
List of honours
The list of Rhodesian honours and decorations, in order of precedence, is as follows:
| Name | Postnominal | Civilian Ribbon | Military / Police Ribbon | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cross of Valour | GCV | - | ALL | |
| Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration | CGD | - | Civilian | |
| Grand Commander of the Legion of Merit | GCLM | None Awarded | Both | |
| Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit | GLM | Both | ||
| Independence Decoration | ID | - | Civilian | |
| Independence Commemorative Decoration | ICD | - | Civilian | |
| Commander of the Legion of Merit | CLM | Both | ||
| Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry | PCG | - | Police | |
| Silver Cross of Rhodesia | SCR | - | Military | |
| Prison Cross for Gallantry | RPC | - | Military | |
| Officer of the Legion of Merit | OLM | Both | ||
| Member of the Legion of Merit | MLM | Both | ||
| Police Decoration for Gallantry | PDG | - | Police | |
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Army) | BCR | - | Military | |
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Airforce) | BCR | - | Military | |
| Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Guards) | BCR | - | Military | |
| Police Cross for Distinguished Service | PCD | - | Police | |
| Defence Cross for Distinguished Service | DCD | - | Military | |
| Rhodesia Prison Cross for Distinguished Service | PSC | - | Prison | |
| Meritorious Conduct Medal | MCM | - | Military | |
| Rhodesia Prison Medal for Gallantry | RPM | - | Prison | |
| Medal for Meritorious Service | MSM | Both | ||
| Police Medal for Meritorious Service | PMM | - | Police | |
| Defence Forces' Medal for Meritorious Service | DMM | - | Military | |
| Rhodesia Prison Medal for Meritorious Service | PMS | - | Prison | |
| President's Medal for Chiefs[2] | - | - | Chiefs | |
| President's Medal for Headmen | - | - | Chiefs | |
| Military Forces' Commendation | - | - | Military | |
| Director’s Commendation (Prisons) | - | - | Prison | |
| Police Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | Police | |
| Exemplary Service Medal | ESM | - | ALL | |
| Prison Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | Prison | |
| Police Reserve Long Service Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | ||
| Medal for Territorial or Reserve Service | - | - | Military | |
| Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Rhodesia) | - | - | Fire Brigade | |
| Rhodesia Badge of Honour | - | ALL | ||
| President’s Medal for Shooting | Pres MS | - | ALL | |
| General Service Medal | - | - | Police | |
| General Service Medal | - | - | Military | |
| Prison General Service Medal | - | - | Prison | |
| Rhodesian District Service Medal | - | [lower-alpha 1] | - | INTAF |
Details and recipients
Around 12,000 awards were given out between 1970 and 1981. The last Rhodesian gallantry awards were awarded in June 1980,[1] three months after Zimbabwe's independence. However, Rhodesian long-service decorations continued to be given to police officers and service personnel until June 1982.[3]
The most highly decorated soldier in the Rhodesian Army was Major Grahame Wilson, second-in-command of the Rhodesian SAS, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Rhodesia and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia.[4]
Notes
- Department of Internal Affairs (INTAF)
References
- Rhodesia Medal Roll, p7
- "President's Medal for Chiefs". Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- Rhodesia Medal Roll, p8
- SAS Rhodesia, p283
- Pittaway, J, and Fourie, C., 2003. SAS Rhodesia, Dandy Agencies, South Africa. ISBN 0-620-29347-0
- Saffery, D., 2006. The Rhodesia Medal Roll, Jeppestown Press, United Kingdom. ISBN 0-9553936-0-4
- Rhodesian Militaria: Medals - Detailed photos & descriptions of genuine Rhodesian military medals.