South African military decorations order of wear

The first South African military medal was a campaign medal, the South Africa Medal, instituted in 1854 by Queen Victoria, the Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for award to officers and men of the Royal Navy and British Army who served on the Eastern Frontier of the Cape Colony between 1834 and 1853 during the Xhosa Wars.[1]

Five more South African campaign medals were instituted during the Colonial era until 1910, when the Union of South Africa was established as a dominion of the British Empire. After Union and until 1952, members of the Union Defence Forces (UDF) could be awarded decorations and medals of the British Empire and, from 1949, the British Commonwealth. A number of purely South African decorations and medals were also instituted during this period, such as belated awards for Boer forces who fought in the Second Boer War, a Union commemorative medal and South African versions of some Empire medals with bilingual inscriptions in English and Dutch or Afrikaans.[2]

The first purely South African military orders, decorations and medals were instituted in 1952 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. From 1961 decorations and medals were instituted by the South African State President and, between 1976 and 1994, also by the Presidents of the TBVC States, Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. These awards were instituted in seven groups for the seven separate military and para-military forces which were integrated into the South African National Defence Force in 1994.[2][3]

The South African military

The Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910 in terms of the South Africa Act, 1909, enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In terms of Section 17 of the Act the command-in-chief of the naval and military forces within the Union was vested in the British Monarch or in the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa as his representative.[4]

The Union Defence Forces were established in 1912 in terms of the Union Defence Act, no. 13 of 1912, enacted by the Parliament of the Union of South Africa. The UDF were renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 the SADF was integrated with six other independent South African military and para-military forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[5][6]

The seven constituent forces of the SANDF were:

Orders, decorations and medals
Main article: South African military decorations

Until 31 May 1961 the Fount of Honour was the British monarch. In 1961 the State President of South Africa became the Fount of Honour. In the TBVC states, established between 1976 and 1981, the Founts of Honour were the respective State Presidents. On 27 April 1994 the President of South Africa became the Fount of Honour for all military orders, decorations and medals.[5]

The Colonial and Dominion era

Until 1961, at first during the Colonial era and then from 1910 when the Union of South Africa was established, all military decorations and medals which were awarded to members of the Colonial Forces, the UDF and SADF were instituted by the British Monarch.[3]

The 1952–1975 group

The first purely South African military decorations and medals were instituted by the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms on 6 April 1952 and, from 31 May 1961, by the State President. In 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had been used until then. There were initially ten awards, to which a further eight as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches were added between 1953 and 1970. All displayed the national Coat of Arms on the reverse, with the exception of the Union Medal and the Permanent Force Good Service Medal which had it on the obverse. Those awarded before South Africa became a republic in 1961 had Queen Elizabeth II's royal cipher above the Coat of Arms on the reverse.[5]

The 1975–2003 group

During the limited representation Republican era, in July 1975, the military decorations and medals of the Republic were revised. Seven decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and, along with the Order of the Star of South Africa with decorations in two military and five non-military classes, thirteen new awards were instituted. They were followed by another eleven new decorations and medals between 1987 and 1991. With the exception of the Pro Virtute Decoration, the trio of Good Service Medals and the National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal, all displayed the national Coat of Arms on the reverse.[7][8][9]

The TBVC group

Between 1976 and 1981 the four independent republics of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei, known collectively as the TBVC states, were established within South Africa. Each of them instituted a set of military decorations and medals for award to members of their respective defence forces.[10][11][12][13]

The MK and APLA group

On 27 April 1994 South Africa became a fully representative republic. In 1996 a set of decorations and medals were instituted for award to members and veterans of MK and APLA.[14]

The 2003 group

Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.[15]

Order of wear
Example of post-1952 South African order of wear. The medals depicted are:

Until 5 April 1952 all South African, other Commonwealth and foreign orders, decorations and medals awarded to South Africans were worn in the order of wear as prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.[3][16]

With effect from 6 April 1952 the aforementioned awards continued to be worn in the order of wear as prescribed on 5 April 1952 but, with one exception, took precedence after all South African orders, decorations and medals awarded to South Africans on or after that date. The exception was the Victoria Cross which, if awarded to a South African before 6 April 1952, still took precedence before all other awards.[2][3]

Sorting keys

The table below lists all the South African military orders, decorations and medals in the official order of wear. All the table columns are sortable and the two columns for order of wear, "OoW 2003" and "OoW 1993", will sort the awards in either the combined order of wear which became effective on 27 April 2003, or in the individual orders of wear of the seven constituent forces which were integrated into the SANDF on 27 April 1994.[2][3][16]

Most decorations for gallantry, distinguished and meritorious service and exceptional devotion to duty entitle the recipients to use the post-nominal letters as shown in the "PN" column of the table. These are succeeded, in order, by campaign medals in order of date of campaign, commemoration medals in order of date of institution, decorations and medals for efficiency, long service and good conduct, medals for skill at arms and proficiency in musketry, pre-1952 British era decorations and medals, and awards for voluntary and unremunerated service.[2][3][16][17]


OoW 2003		 Order, Decoration or Medal PN Type OoW
1993		 From To
Victoria Cross VC Bravery 1856 1952
Honoris Crux Gold HCG Bravery 1975 1992
Gold Star for Bravery GSB Bravery 1996 2003
Star for Bravery in Gold SBG Bravery 1996 2003
Nkwe ya Gauta NG Bravery 2003
Star of South Africa, Gold SSA Merit 1975 2002
Star of South Africa, Silver SSAS Merit 1975 2002
Order of the Leopard, Military Division, Commander Merit 1992 1994
Star of South Africa SSA Merit 1952 1975
Louw Wepener Decoration LWD Bravery 1952 1975
Distinguished Gallantry Cross Bravery 1982 1994
Gallantry Cross, Gold GCG Bravery 1985 1994
Honoris Crux (1952) HC Bravery 1952 1975
Honoris Crux Silver HCS Bravery 1975 2003
Van Riebeeck Decoration DVR Bravery 1952 1975
Honoris Crux (1975) HC Bravery 1975 2003
Gallantry Cross, Silver GCS Bravery 1985 1994
Cross for Bravery Bravery 1994 1994
Bravery Star in Silver BSS Bravery 1996 2003
Star for Bravery in Silver SBS Bravery 1996 2003
Nkwe ya Selefera NS Bravery 2003
Pro Virtute Decoration PVD Bravery 1987 2003
Southern Cross Decoration SD Merit 1975 2003
Pro Merito Decoration PMD Merit 1975 2003
Conspicuous Leadership Star CLS Bravery 1996 2003
Star for Conspicuous Leadership SCL Bravery 1996 2003
Defence Force Merit Decoration Merit 1982 1994
Distinguished Service Medal, Gold Merit 1985 1994
Sandile Decoration SD Merit 1988 1994
Decoration for Merit in Gold DMG Merit 1996 2003
Gold Decoration for Merit GDM Merit 1996 2003
iPhrothiya yeGolide PG Merit 2003
Van Riebeeck Medal VRM Bravery 1952 1975
Louw Wepener Medal LWM Bravery 1967 1975
Distinguished Gallantry Medal Bravery 1982 1994
Nkwe ya Boronse NB Bravery 2003
Ad Astra Decoration AAD Bravery 1991 2003
Army Cross CM Bravery 1987 2003
Air Force Cross CA Bravery 1987 2003
Navy Cross CN Bravery 1987 2003
Medical Service Cross CC Bravery 1987 2003
Southern Cross Medal (1952) SM Merit 1952 1975
Pro Merito Medal (1967) PMM Merit 1967 1975
Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Merit 1985 1994
Southern Cross Medal (1975) SM Merit 1975 2003
Pro Merito Medal (1975) PMM Merit 1975 2003
Defence Force Merit Medal Merit 1982 1994
Sandile Medal SM Merit 1988 1994
Marumo Medal, Class I Merit 1988 1994
Merit Medal in Silver MMS Merit 1996 2003
Silver Medal for Merit SMM Merit 1996 2003
iPhrothiya yeSiliva PS Merit 2003
Danie Theron Medal DTM Merit 1970 1993
Jack Hindon Medal JHM Merit 1970 1975
Military Merit Medal MMM Merit 1974 2003
Defence Force Commendation Medal Merit 1982 1994
Venda Defence Force Medal Merit 1984 1994
Marumo Medal, Class II Merit 1988 1994
Transkei Defence Force Medal Merit 1994 1994
Bronze Medal for Merit BMM Merit 1996 2003
Merit Medal in Bronze MMB Merit 1996 2003
iPhrothiya yeBhronzi PB Merit 2003
Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal Merit 1992 1994
Korea Medal Campaign 1953
Pro Patria Medal Campaign 1974 1994
General Service Medal (Venda) Campaign 1985 1994
Southern Africa Medal Campaign 1987 1994
General Service Medal (South Africa) Campaign 1987 2003
Ciskei Defence Medal Campaign 1988 1994
Nkwe Medal Campaign 1990 1994
General Service Medal (Bophuthatswana) Campaign 1991 1994
Operational Medal for Southern Africa Campaign 1998 2003
South Africa Service Medal Campaign 1998 2003
Tshumelo Ikatelaho Campaign 2003
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal Commem. 1953 1953
Independence Medal (Transkei) Commem. 1976 1976
Independence Medal (Bophuthatswana) Commem. 1977 1977
Independence Medal (Venda) Commem. 1979 1979
Independence Medal (Ciskei) Commem. 1981 1981
Military Rule Medal Commem. 1994 1994
Unitas Medal Commem. 1994 1994
Closure Commemoration Medal Commem. 2003
Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 50 years Service 2003
Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service Service 1987 2003
Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 40 years Service 2003
Good Service Medal, Gold Service 1975 2003
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold Service 1982 1994
Long Service Medal, Gold Service 1985 1994
Gold Service Medal Service 1996 2003
Service Medal in Gold Service 1996 2003
Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 30 years Service 2003
John Chard Decoration JCD Service 1952 2003
De Wet Decoration DWD Service 1965 2003
Cadet Corps Medal Service 1966 1986
Good Service Medal, Silver Service 1975 2003
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver Service 1982 1994
Long Service Medal, Silver Service 1985 1994
Service Medal in Silver Service 1996 2003
Silver Service Medal Service 1996 2003
Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 20 years RD ♠ Service 2003
Union Medal Service 1952 1961
Permanent Force Good Service Medal Service 1961 1975
John Chard Medal Service 1952 2003
Good Service Medal, Bronze Service 1975 2003
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze Service 1982 1994
Long Service Medal, Bronze Service 1985 1994
De Wet Medal Service 1987 2003
Faithful Service Medal Service 1987 1994
Medal for Long Service, Bronze Service 1988 1994
Bronze Service Medal Service 1996 2003
Service Medal in Bronze Service 1996 2003
Medalje vir Troue Diens Service 2003
Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces Bisley 1924 1961
Commandant General's Medal Bisley 1965 1975
SADF Champion Shot Medal Bisley 1975 2003
National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal Bisley 1987
President's Medal for Shooting Bisley 1988 1994
State President's Medal for Shooting Bisley 1990 1994
Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst DTD Merit 1920 1946
Distinguished Service Order DSO Bravery 1886 1952
Distinguished Service Cross DSC Bravery 1901 1952
Military Cross MC Bravery 1914 1952
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC Bravery 1918 1952
Air Force Cross AFC Bravery 1918 1952
Distinguished Conduct Medal DCM Bravery 1854 1952
Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal) DCM Bravery 1897 1913
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal CGM Bravery 1874 1952
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) CGM Bravery 1943 1952
Distinguished Service Medal DSM Bravery 1914 1952
Military Medal MM Bravery 1916 1952
Distinguished Flying Medal DFM Bravery 1918 1952
Air Force Medal AFM Bravery 1918 1952
British Empire Medal (Military) BEM Merit 1922 1952
South Africa Medal (1853) Campaign 1854
South Africa Medal (1880) Campaign 1880
Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal Campaign 1900
Queen's South Africa Medal Campaign 1900
Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog Campaign 1920 1982
Lint voor Verwonding Campaign 1920 1949
King's South Africa Medal Campaign 1902
Natal Native Rebellion Medal Campaign 1907
1914–15 Star Campaign 1918
British War Medal Campaign 1919
Mercantile Marine War Medal[18] Campaign 1919
Victory Medal (South Africa) Campaign 1919
1939–1945 Star Campaign 1943
Atlantic Star Campaign 1945
Arctic Star Campaign 2012
Air Crew Europe Star Campaign 1945
Africa Star Campaign 1943
Pacific Star Campaign 1945
Burma Star Campaign 1945
Italy Star Campaign 1945
France and Germany Star Campaign 1945
Defence Medal (United Kingdom) Campaign 1945
War Medal 1939–1945 Campaign 1945
Africa Service Medal Campaign 1943
King George V Coronation Medal Commem. 1911 1911
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal Commem. 1935 1935
King George VI Coronation Medal Commem. 1937 1937
Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom) MSM ♥ Gallantry 1916 1928
Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope) Service 1896 1913
Meritorious Service Medal (Natal) Service 1897 1913
Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa) Service 1914 1939
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape) Service 1896 1910
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal) Service 1897 1910
Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal Service 1910 1930
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa) Service 1930 1952
Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies VD Service 1894 1899
Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies Service 1896 1899
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration VD Service 1899 1930
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal Service 1899 1930
Efficiency Decoration (South Africa) ED Service 1930 1952
Efficiency Medal (South Africa) Service 1930 1952
Decoration for Officers of the R.N.V.R. VRD Service 1915 1952
R.N.V.R. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Service 1915 1952
Air Efficiency Award AE ♣ Service 1942 1952
Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal Commem. 1910 1911
South African Medal for War Services Volunteer 1945
Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry Unofficial 1851
Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal Unofficial 1899
Kimberley Star Unofficial 1900
Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep Unofficial 1902
Notes
  • ♠ In respect of recipients of the Emblem for Reserve Force Service only, indicating "Reserve Distinction".
  • ♥ Use of the post-nominal MSM was restricted to awards for acts of gallantry during the First World War.
  • ♣ Use of the post-nominal AE was restricted to officers only.

Errors and exclusions

The official order of wear of 2005 contains the caveat that, in the absence of full information on some awards, there may be among the awards listed for the TBVC states some which were never awarded. The official list contains minor errors, one of these being the post-nominal letters "VRD" instead of "DVR" for the Van Riebeeck Decoration. The post-nominal letters "VRD" are used for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration.[2]

The following decorations and medals are excluded from the table:[2]

  • Civil, police, prisons and other non-military decorations and medals.
  • Military decorations which, while officially instituted, were never awarded and now never will be. These include:

References
  1. "The Medals of the Zulu War, 11th January to 1 September, 1879". Military History Journal. The South African Military History Society. 4 (4). January 1979. Retrieved 9 November 2019. (Zulu War Centenary Issue)
  2. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
  3. 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.
  4. South Africa Act, 1909, enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, 20 September 1909
  5. South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  6. The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.
  7. Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
  8. Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
  9. South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  10. South African Medals Website - Transkei Defence Force (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  11. South African Medals Website - Bophuthatswana Defence Force (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  12. South African Medals Website - Venda Defence Force (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  13. South African Medals Website - Ciskei Defence Force (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  14. South African Medals Website - Liberation armies (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  15. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  16. "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3353.
  17. South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
  18. "No. 33554". The London Gazette. 22 November 1929. p. 7530.
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