Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold

The Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold, the senior of two classes of South Africa's highest civilian decoration for bravery, was instituted by Royal Warrant of 15 December 1952, published in Government Gazette no. 5013 dated 27 February 1953. The medal replaced the Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Gold, after the accession to the British Throne of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.[1][2]

The earlier King's Medal for Bravery, Gold was awarded to recognise acts of gallantry performed in the face of imminent and obvious peril by those residents of the Union of South Africa or its dependent territories who endangered their lives in the act of saving, or endeavouring to save, the lives of others. Upon the institution of the Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold, the conditions of eligibility that had applied to the King's Medal were expanded to include non-citizens of the Union for acts of gallantry within the Union or while saving or endeavouring to save the lives of citizens of the Union elsewhere.[1][2]

In the British order of precedence, the Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold ranks as a second level decoration, equivalent to the George Medal. It is preceded by the Venerable Order of Saint John and succeeded by the Distinguished Conduct Medal.[3]

In South Africa, the medal is ranked as a first level decoration and, despite its status, it has no post-nominal letters. It is preceded by the Honoris Crux Gold and succeeded by the Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Gold.[4]

The medal ranks on par with the earlier Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Gold and the subsequent Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold.[4]

Obverse

The decoration is silver-gilt and is a disk, 38 millimetres in diameter with a raised rim and a large ring suspender. The obverse depicts the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right and surrounded by the words "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F. D."[2]

Reverse

The reverse is identical to that of the King's Medal for Bravery, Gold and depicts the 18th-century Cape hero Wolraad Woltemade on his horse, rescuing shipwreck survivors from a stormy sea. The image is circumscribed around the top in English and Afrikaans with the words "FOR BRAVERY • VIR DAPPERHEID".[1][5]

Ribbon

The ribbon is also identical to that of the King's Medal for Bravery, Gold, 44 millimetres wide and dark blue with 4½ millimetres wide orange edges.[1][2]

The Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold was never awarded and the decoration was discontinued upon the establishment of the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961. It was succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold that was instituted on 20 May 1970.[1]